YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections→Perryville

Three battles highlight re-enactment

October 07, 2006

Visitors to this weekend's Civil War re-enactment in Perryville will have the opportunity to watch three battles.

Two on Saturday and the third on Sunday will offer visitors a glimpse of what occurred at Perryville in 1862.

The Battle of Perryville was the most significant Civil War battle in Kentucky, leaving more than 7,000 casualties.

"Anyone interested in the Civil War or Kentucky history will be interested in attending this event," Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller said. "We have one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the country at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, and this will make for a fascinating weekend."

* The first battle will be 7 a.m. Saturday with the Battle of Pottsville. This battle, one of the many skirmishes that occurred before the larger battle at Perryville, will feature cavalry units.

Confederate forces led by General Joseph Wheeler attacked Union advance units and captured 50 rifles. But the Union counterattacked, forced the Confederates to withdraw, and continued marching toward Perryville.

* At 2 p.m. Saturday, the Fight for Loomis Heights will be presented. This clash began when a Mississippi brigade attacked two veteran Union brigades that had 12 pieces of artillery covering a ridge. The Confederates were turned back after suffering heavy losses.

More Confederates came into action and forced the Federals to retreat westward after heavy fighting. This was part of the main Battle of Perryville.

* The third battle will be 2 p.m. Sunday. It will present the Fight for the Open Knob, which opened the main battle at Perryville. This was a surprise attack upon a Union brigade that later caused many inexperienced Union troops to break and run. Attacking Confederates then swept over the Open Knob, but Federals stopped them for a time on the next ridge westward.

In addition to the battles, visitors will be able to visit the military camps, listen to Civil War experts and authors, and learn about what life was like in Perryville in 1862.

Viewing areas will be marked off for visitors who want to watch the battles.

|

|

|