Civil War

Gallery

Perryville

View our collection of photos and images from the Perryville Battlefield - the most important Civil War battle in Kentucky.

(32 photos in gallery)

The John Russell Farm

Kurt Holman

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.

Target Property at Perryville

Kurt Holman

In 2012, The Civil War Trust worked 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."

Leonidas Polk

Library of Congress

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.

Squire Keith

Perryville Battlefield Association/Kurt Holman

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's Slaughter Pen

Kurt Holman

The climactic action of the Battle of Perryville took place in these rolling fields astride the Mackville Road. The Trust saved this crucial piece of the hallowed ground in 2012.

The John Russell Farm

Perryville Battlefield Association

This painting shows the John Russell Farm as it appeared at the time of the battle.

The Historic Russell Farm

Kurt Holman

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

Russell House

Perryville Battlefield Association

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

Brigade Commanders in the Slaughter Pen

Perryville Battlefield Association

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.

2011 Target Property

Rob Shenk

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.

Squire Bottom House

Rob Shenk

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

Assault from the Bottom House

Steven Stanley

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

Bottom House circa 1880

Perryville Battlefield

1880s image of the Squire Bottom house.

Doctor's Fork

Rob Shenk

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.

Fight at the Bottom House

Kurt Holman

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.

Aerial View: Fight at the Bottom House

Kurt Holman/Perryville Battlefield

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.

Michigan at Perryville

Rob Shenk

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

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

Civil War Trust

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

Parson's Ridge

Steven Stanley

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

Road Through the Cornfield

Steven Stanley

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

View of Starkweather's Hill from the Cornfield

Steven Stanley

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.

A Perryville Morning

Rob Shenk

View of the Perryville Battlefield at early morning.

At the Open Knob

Rob Shenk

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

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

Steven Stanley

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

John C. Starkweather

Library of Congress

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.

Stewart's Advance

Steven Stanley

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

The Perryville Hike

Rob Shenk

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

March of the Damned

Rob Shenk

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

Photographing Perryville

Rob Shenk

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

Perryville Land Transfer

Rob Shenk

Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer and Trust Chairman Emeritus John Nau flank Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow at the Perryville Land Transfer Ceremony in 2010.