October 21, 1862 – The Battle of Perryville
REBELS BADLY WHIPPED.
THE FORTY-SECOND INDIANA REG’T.
Battle-field, near Perryville,
Forty-second Reg’t I. V.
October 10th, 1862.
Messrs Editors: I embrace the earliest opportunity of giving you a sketch of the battle near Perrysville, Ky., which commenced on the evening of the 8th inst, near one o’clock P. M. Of what occurred outside of the 17th brigade, I am not able to inform you, nor can I particularize about any regiment but the 42d. However, this I do know from personal observation that never can troops fight more bravely than did the 10th Ohio, led by the gallant Lieut. Colonel Burke, on whom too much honor and praise cannot be bestowed. Of the 15th Kentucky, led by Col. Pope, who received a wound in the shoulder, the same may be said, and of the 3d Ohio, led by Col. Beatty, and the 88th Indiana, led by Col. Humphreys, the same may be said: for all did honor to the cause of the Union and liberty. But as I can only speak in general terms of those noble regiment and their brave officers, I will hasten to speak in particular of the part played in the fearful drama by the 42d, in which your readers are more particularly interested.
About 10 o’clock the 42d was ordered to take position in a dry creek, at the foot of a rugged hill, about three hundred yards in advance, and one hundred to the right of Loomis’ battery. There we remained till the fight began, which was commenced by the rebels with artillery upon Loomis’.
