"Every mother's son of them are Yankees!"

Gen. Polk, second in command at Perryville, had just narrowly escaped death or capture. Having ridden in front to inspect a "dark line" of soldiers to his front, Polk was stunned to learn that this formation was made up of the 22nd Indiana. Bluffing his way back to his own lines, he issued the command to attack. The sudden violence shattered the Indianans, killing not only Lt. Col. Squire Keith, but also a majority of the Union soldiers in this battered regiment.

Now we have the opportunity to save 121 historic acres on the Perryville Battlefield. This ground, which includes the infamous Slaughter Pen at Perryville, is just north of the tract that we saved near the Squire Henry Bottom house.  Few battlefield acres can match this ground for its intensity, bloodshed, and importance.