Perryville

• Target Property: The John Russell Farm

  

  These idyllic farm fields were the scene of terrific carnage on October 8, 1862, when Bragg's Confederate Army of the Tennessee clashed with Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio at Perryville.

  Kurt Holman

• Target Property at Perryville

  

  The Civil War Trust is currently working to save this 121-acre portion of the historic John Russell farm at the Perryville battlefield. This land was the scene of horrific carnage during the climactic fight for the Dixville Crossroads, earning it the nickname, "the Slaughter Pen."

  Kurt Holman

• Satellite Image: The Slaughter Pen at Perryville

  

  This satellite image shows the Trust's current target property at Perryville. Note our 2011 acquisition in blue, abutting the historic Russell farm.

  Google Earth

• Leonidas Polk

  

  Bishop-turned-general Leonidas Polk found his Confederates suffering from what he believed to be friendly fire. Polk rode out to order the troops to cease firing, only to find himself behind Union lines. After a brief altercation with a Federal officer, Polk returned to his own troops and ordered them to open fire on the hapless Yankees.

  Library of Congress

• Squire Keith

  

  The victims of General Polk's attack were the Federals of the 22nd Indiana under Lt. Col. Squire Keith. Keith, who had unknowingly spoken with Polk only moments earlier, was one of the many Indianans who became casualties on the Trust's target property.

  Perryville Battlefield Association/Kurt Holman

• Perryville's Slaughter Pen

  

  The climactic action of the Battle of Perryville took place in these rolling fields astride the Mackville Road. The Trust is working to save this crucial piece of the hallowed ground.

  Kurt Holman

• The John Russell Farm

  

  This painting shows the Trust's target property as it appeared at the time of the battle.

  Perryville Battlefield Association

• The Historic Russell Farm

  

  Located just up the road from the Squire Bottom house (where the Trust saved 141 acres in 2011), the John Russell farm was the was scene of the climactic action of the Battle of Perryville

  Kurt Holman

• Russell House

  

  This 1920s image shows the historic Russell house standing on property being acquired by the Civil War Trust. The Russell farm was the site of terrific fighting on October 8, 1862

  Perryville Battlefield Association

• Brigade Commanders in the Slaughter Pen

  

  Col. Michael Gooding (left) led his brigade into the Slaughter Pen in the hopes of protecting the Federal batteries from scores of Confederate attackers including S. A. M. Wood's brigade.

  Perryville Battlefield Association

• Satellite Image: Preservation at Perryville

  

  This satellite view of the Perryville battlefield shows the historic Russell farm in relation to the more than 500 acres of battlefield land that have already been saved.

  Google Earth

• 2011 Target Property

  

  In 2011 the Civil War Trust acquired this 141-acre portion of the Perryville Battlefield near the Squire Bottom House. The Trust's 2012 property abuts this recent acquisition.

  Rob Shenk

• Squire Bottom House

  

  The house of Squire Bottom was the scene of intense fighting as Confederates under Patrick Cleburne overran Federals under William Lytle.

  Rob Shenk

• Assault from the Bottom House

  

  The house of Sam Bottom, atop Bottom Hill, was the last natural obstacle before the town of Perryville and the scene of intense fighting on October 8, 1862. The Civil War Trust preserved this portion of the Perryville Battlefield in 2011

  Steven Stanley

• Bottom House circa 1880

  

  1880s image of the Squire Bottom house.

  Perryville Battlefield

• Doctor's Fork

  

  Federals from the 42nd Indiana were gathered around this shallow country stream filling their canteen's when they were set upon by Patrick Cleburne's Confederates driven to the rear.

  Rob Shenk

• Fight at the Bottom House

  

  After crossing Doctor's Fork, the Louisianans of Daniel Adams brigade swarmed over this rise in pursuit of the disorganized Federals. The Trust is saved this important part of the Perryville Battlefield in 2011.

  Kurt Holman

• Aerial View: Fight at the Bottom House

  

  In this aerial view Confederates of Cleburne's, Johnson's and Adams' brigades sweep past the Squire Bottom House as they converge on William Lytle's outnumbered Federals.

  Kurt Holman/Perryville Battlefield

• Michigan at Perryville

  

  Marker commemorating the State of Michigan's contribution to the Battle of Perryville.

  Rob Shenk

• Charles C. Gilbert

  

  Following the murder of Union general "Bull' Nelson, Capt. Charles C. Gilbert, formerly inspector general of the Army of Ohio was promoted to Maj. General and commanded the Union Third Corps at Perryville

• Perryville Battlefield

  

  The Perryville Battlefield was one of the Civil War Trust's 10 Most Endangered Battlefields in 2008

  Civil War Trust

• Parson's Ridge

  

  Union Lieutenant Charles Parson commanded his battery during the struggle on the Union left, remaining with his eight guns until Confederates overran his position.

  Steven Stanley

• Road Through the Cornfield

  

  Confederate troops used this road at the base of Starkweather's Hill during the assault on the Union Left flank.

  Steven Stanley

• View of Starkweather's Hill from the Cornfield

  

  This view of Starkweather's Hill from the Cornfield appears much as it would have to Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Cheatham's Confederates during the October 1862 battle.

  Steven Stanley

• A Perryville Morning

  

  View of the Perryville Battlefield at early morning.

  Rob Shenk

• At the Open Knob

  

  Two photos of the Open Knob section of the Perryville Battlefield in Kentucky. At right: Perryville Battlefield volunteer Jake Salley.

  Rob Shenk

• Benjamin F. Cheatham

  

  Maj. Gen. Benjamin "Frank" Cheatham's division of Confederates were heavily engaged in the fight against the Union left, ultimately capturing Open Knob and Starkweather's Hill before nightfall brought the fighting to a close

• Starkweather's Hill

  

  The Union 28th Brigade under Col. John Starkweather defended this hill against Confederate attacks led by Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Cheatham

  Steven Stanley

• John C. Starkweather

  

  Colonel John C. Starkweather's 28th Brigade put up stiff resistance in the fight on the Union left flank, earning him the commendation of his superiors and, eventually, a promotion to brigadier general.

  Library of Congress

• Stewart's Advance

  

  Alexander P. Stewart's brigade of Tennesseans charged over this undulating ground while pursuing Yankees of McCook's confused First Corps

  Steven Stanley

• The Perryville Hike

  

  Civil War Trust members follow Ed Bearss down a hill on the Perryville Battlefield.

  Rob Shenk

• March of the Damned

  

  Trust members on the Ed Bearss Perryville Battlefield hike climb a ridge as nearby thunderstorms swirl overhead.

  Rob Shenk

• Photographing Perryville

  

  Color Bearer Michael Marx takes a photograph of the beautiful Perryville Battlefield from the top of Open Knob.

  Rob Shenk

• Perryville Land Transfer

  

  Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer and Trust Chairman John Nau flank Kentucy Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow at the Perryville Land Transfer Ceremony.

  Rob Shenk