Perryville: The Slaughter Pen

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• The John Russell Farm

  

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

  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

• 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