Post by cptsilas on Jun 23, 2006 17:14:01 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]The inquiry:[/glow]
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 9:30 PM
To: KY State Parks
Subject: Web Feedback
Hello,
I hope you can help me. I am looking for information and placement of the 8th Arkansas at the battle of Perryville. From what I understand, the 8th was under Liddel and out as pickett with the 5th and 7th Arkansas at the beginning of the fight. If my information is correct, the 8th was then held in reserve and used as rear guard upon retreat. If you have any more (or correct) information, or can direct me to a source that does I would be very grateful. The 8th Arkansas will be at the event this year. Thank you for your help.
Yours in service,
Dan "Silas" Spurgeon
Captain, Commanding
8th Arkansas co. k.
Medich Battalion
[glow=red,2,300]The Reply:[/glow]
----- Original Message -----
From: Holman, Kurt (PARKS)
Cc: Kolakowski, Chris (PARKS) ; House, Joan (Parks) ; Lawson, Gil (PARKS)
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 11:56 AM
Subject: 8th Arkansas
The 8th did start out in the morning on "Peters Hill" then were in reserve most of the day, but followed (supported) Wood's Brigade later in the afternoon. It was Liddell's brigade who ended the fight, killing the 42nd Indiana near the Dixville crossroads just after sundown. General Polk's own words:
“Well, Sir, it was at the battle of Perryville, late in the evening, in fact, it was almost dark when Liddell’s brigade came into action. Shortly after its arrival I observed a body of men, whom I believed to be Confederates standing at an angle to this brigade and firing obliquely at the newly arrived troops. I said ‘Bear me, this is very sad, and must be stopped!’ So I turned around, but could find none of my [staff] who were absent on different messages; so I determined to ride myself and settle the matter. Having cantered up to the Colonel of the regiment which was firing. I asked in angry tones what he meant by shooting his own friends, and desired him to cease firing at once. He said with surprise, ‘I don’t think there can be any mistake about it, for I am d**n certain that they are the enemy.’ ‘Enemy!’ I said, ‘why I have just left them myself. Cease firing, Sir. What is your name, Sir?’ ‘My name is Colonel [Keith] of the [22nd]Indiana, and, pray Sir, who are you?’ Then for the first time I saw to my astonishment that he was a Yankee, and that I was in the rear of a regiment of Yankees. Well, I saw that there was no hope but to brazen it out. My dark [uniform] and the increasing obscurity befriended me, so I approached quite close to him and shook my fist in his face, saying, ‘I’ll soon show you who I am Sir. Cease firing at once!’ I then turned my horse and cantered slowly down the line shouting in an authoritative manner to the Yankees to ‘cease firing.’ At the same time I experienced a disagreeable sensation like a screwing up my back, calculating how many bullets would be between my shoulders every moment. I was afraid to increase my pace until I got to a small copse [of trees], when I put the spurs in and galloped back to my men. I immediately went to the nearest Colonel and said to him ‘Colonel, I have reconnoitered those fellows pretty closely and I find there is no mistaking who they are. You may get up and to at them’. So I ordered Liddell’s brigade to cease firing, and to promptly to load their guns, and for no man to pull a trigger or fire a gun unless he had a dead aim on a Yankee. After everyone was loaded, I ordered the firing obliquely to the left and when they did fire nearly three thousand muskets blazed as one gun. And I assure you Sir, that the slaughter of that Indiana Regiment was the greatest I had ever seen in the war.”
- Leonidas Polk, Confederate General and Episcopal Bishop, explaining how the 22nd Indiana Infantry suffered 65.3% casualties. Colonel Squire Keith was killed.
There are other sources that indicate that the "nearest Colonel" was John Kelly of the 8th Arkansas.
The best book on the battle is . . . .
Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle (Hardcover) by Dr. Kenneth W. Noe. We sell it in our Museum Store. You may order one by calling the park at 859-332-8631
I hope this has been of help.
Kurt Holman, Manager
Perryville Battlefield
State Historic Site
parks.ky.gov/statehistoricsites/pb/index.htm
www.danville-ky.com/BoyleCounty/tourism.htm
www.perryville.net
parks.ky.gov
www.battleofperryville.com
www.perryvillereenactment.org
www.kentuckyunbridledspirit.com
[glow=red,2,300]The Reply to the Reply:[/glow]
Dear Mr. Holman,
Thank you for your quick reply. I did not realize that I had sent my inquiry from my wifes' e-mail until after I sent it....she was a little confused by your reply! ha ha. You have been a great help. The men of the 8th Arkansas are eagerly awaiting the Battle of Perryville this October. Best wishes to you Sir!
Yours in service,
Captain Silas
8th Arkansas co. k.
Medich Battalion
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 9:30 PM
To: KY State Parks
Subject: Web Feedback
Hello,
I hope you can help me. I am looking for information and placement of the 8th Arkansas at the battle of Perryville. From what I understand, the 8th was under Liddel and out as pickett with the 5th and 7th Arkansas at the beginning of the fight. If my information is correct, the 8th was then held in reserve and used as rear guard upon retreat. If you have any more (or correct) information, or can direct me to a source that does I would be very grateful. The 8th Arkansas will be at the event this year. Thank you for your help.
Yours in service,
Dan "Silas" Spurgeon
Captain, Commanding
8th Arkansas co. k.
Medich Battalion
[glow=red,2,300]The Reply:[/glow]
----- Original Message -----
From: Holman, Kurt (PARKS)
Cc: Kolakowski, Chris (PARKS) ; House, Joan (Parks) ; Lawson, Gil (PARKS)
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 11:56 AM
Subject: 8th Arkansas
The 8th did start out in the morning on "Peters Hill" then were in reserve most of the day, but followed (supported) Wood's Brigade later in the afternoon. It was Liddell's brigade who ended the fight, killing the 42nd Indiana near the Dixville crossroads just after sundown. General Polk's own words:
“Well, Sir, it was at the battle of Perryville, late in the evening, in fact, it was almost dark when Liddell’s brigade came into action. Shortly after its arrival I observed a body of men, whom I believed to be Confederates standing at an angle to this brigade and firing obliquely at the newly arrived troops. I said ‘Bear me, this is very sad, and must be stopped!’ So I turned around, but could find none of my [staff] who were absent on different messages; so I determined to ride myself and settle the matter. Having cantered up to the Colonel of the regiment which was firing. I asked in angry tones what he meant by shooting his own friends, and desired him to cease firing at once. He said with surprise, ‘I don’t think there can be any mistake about it, for I am d**n certain that they are the enemy.’ ‘Enemy!’ I said, ‘why I have just left them myself. Cease firing, Sir. What is your name, Sir?’ ‘My name is Colonel [Keith] of the [22nd]Indiana, and, pray Sir, who are you?’ Then for the first time I saw to my astonishment that he was a Yankee, and that I was in the rear of a regiment of Yankees. Well, I saw that there was no hope but to brazen it out. My dark [uniform] and the increasing obscurity befriended me, so I approached quite close to him and shook my fist in his face, saying, ‘I’ll soon show you who I am Sir. Cease firing at once!’ I then turned my horse and cantered slowly down the line shouting in an authoritative manner to the Yankees to ‘cease firing.’ At the same time I experienced a disagreeable sensation like a screwing up my back, calculating how many bullets would be between my shoulders every moment. I was afraid to increase my pace until I got to a small copse [of trees], when I put the spurs in and galloped back to my men. I immediately went to the nearest Colonel and said to him ‘Colonel, I have reconnoitered those fellows pretty closely and I find there is no mistaking who they are. You may get up and to at them’. So I ordered Liddell’s brigade to cease firing, and to promptly to load their guns, and for no man to pull a trigger or fire a gun unless he had a dead aim on a Yankee. After everyone was loaded, I ordered the firing obliquely to the left and when they did fire nearly three thousand muskets blazed as one gun. And I assure you Sir, that the slaughter of that Indiana Regiment was the greatest I had ever seen in the war.”
- Leonidas Polk, Confederate General and Episcopal Bishop, explaining how the 22nd Indiana Infantry suffered 65.3% casualties. Colonel Squire Keith was killed.
There are other sources that indicate that the "nearest Colonel" was John Kelly of the 8th Arkansas.
The best book on the battle is . . . .
Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle (Hardcover) by Dr. Kenneth W. Noe. We sell it in our Museum Store. You may order one by calling the park at 859-332-8631
I hope this has been of help.
Kurt Holman, Manager
Perryville Battlefield
State Historic Site
parks.ky.gov/statehistoricsites/pb/index.htm
www.danville-ky.com/BoyleCounty/tourism.htm
www.perryville.net
parks.ky.gov
www.battleofperryville.com
www.perryvillereenactment.org
www.kentuckyunbridledspirit.com
[glow=red,2,300]The Reply to the Reply:[/glow]
Dear Mr. Holman,
Thank you for your quick reply. I did not realize that I had sent my inquiry from my wifes' e-mail until after I sent it....she was a little confused by your reply! ha ha. You have been a great help. The men of the 8th Arkansas are eagerly awaiting the Battle of Perryville this October. Best wishes to you Sir!
Yours in service,
Captain Silas
8th Arkansas co. k.
Medich Battalion
