Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site 150^th Anniversary Reenactment Weekend

October 6 - 7, 2012

By the fall of 1862, Confederate fortunes in Kentucky seemed to be at an all-time high.  After being driven into northern Mississippi and southeastern Tennessee by advancing Federal armies in the early summer, Confederate commanders executed a daring double-pronged invasion of Kentucky.  Kirby Smith's Confederate force had moved into central Kentucky after their stunning success over an inexperienced Union force near Richmond, Kentucky, in late August.  Bragg's Confederate army had moved into the area in mid-September after capturing the Federal garrison at Munfordville.  Buell's Union army had marched from Louisville on October 1^st, seeking to defeat the Confederate 
                                           forces, or at least drive them from the state. 

Kentucky was in the midst of a severe drought in October of 1862, and many of the smaller streams and ponds were dry.  Both armies needed water for their troops, and the Chaplin River, near Perryville, offered a valuable supply for thirsty soldiers.  As 55,000 Union troops converged on the treasured pools of water, 16,000 Confederate soldiers awaited them on the bluffs. 

The battle exploded two miles northwest of Perryville at 2:00pm.  The Confederate attack, led by Daniel Donelson, stormed into the middle of Union First Corps, taking heavy casualties.  They were soon supported by the brigade of General George Maney.  Together, Donelson and Maney, supported by a third brigade drove the inexperienced Union troops back with terrible loss.  Later, joined by more Confederate troops on the left, the beleaguered Union First Corps, was forced back a mile to the southeast.  Some of these regiments sustained casualty rates as high as 60%.  Many veterans from both sides, remembered the Battle of Perryville as the fiercest battle of the war.

On the two days prior to the 150^th Anniversary of the Battle of Perryville, the park will give people an opportunity to see a simulation of these events.  Thousands of Civil War reenactors will descend on Perryville to reenact parts of this epic battle. 

·         At 7:00am on Saturday, October 6, the Charge of Donelson’s brigade will be reenacted. 

·         At 2:00 pm on that same day, this fight up the “Valley of Death” will be continued. 

·         On Sunday, October 7^th, 2012, the troops will reenact General Maney’s attack against the Union Brigades of General William R. Terrill and Colonel John Starkweather.  This scenario will include the “Fight for the Cornfield” where the troops will fight through a cornfield planted in the authentic “checked” pattern with an heirloom species of corn. 

·         All three of the battle simulations will take place on the original ground, with the reenactors portraying the actual units that originally held that same ground 150 years ago.

Along with the battle simulations, there will be Paranormal Investigation Tours on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Also many Speakers, book signings, performances, and demonstrations will be offered throughout the weekend.  Military camps will be open to the public as well as a small “village” set up to show civilian life of the 1860s.  For more information, please visit http://www.parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/perryville-battlefield/default.aspx