The firing had now become more frequent and distinct, and our men were becoming more and more eager for the conflict. As usual, there were all sorts of rumors regarding the number and position of the enemy. After a halt of one hour we again moved forward, and soon came on the Perryville pike. Proceeding one mile further, we turned off into a field on the left of the road, and took position on a high piece of ground, our division being posted at different points. We held our position until near dark, when we moved forward half a mile, and were then stationed on a hill to the right of the road. The fighting in the meantime had been most desperate, and was chiefly confined to General McCook’s division, which maintained its ground in fine order, the men showing great bravery. The battle lasted until dark, when the enemy retired, and, on the following morning, retreated to Harrodsburg. The Union loss was eight hundred and twenty killed, between two thousand and three thousand wounded, and over four hundred missing. Enemy’s loss, one thousand and eighty-two killed, and four thousand two hundred and sixty-one wounded. Our Battery took no part in this action, as we were, during the time, out of range. It was the intention, on our part, to renew the battle the next day—the enemy willing—but they wanted to be “let alone,” and withdrew from the field.
On the day following the battle, our Battery was kept constantly on the move, charging through woods and cornfields, but no enemy was there. At night we camped near Perryville.
CHAPTER X.
MUCH MARCHING, BUT LITTLE FIGHTING.
The morning of October 10th were again early on the move, and at 9 o’clock passed through the town of Perryville, and proceeded on towards Danville. The buildings, as we passed along, presented the appearance of hard usage from the effects of the battle of Wednesday. Nearly every house was more or less riddled by shot and shell. We saw one house that seemed as if it had been the especial target of the gunners, for it was pierced in many places. We continued on for about two miles, when our advance had some little skirmishing with the enemy’s rear guard. Our guns were at once drawn up in position on a high hill, having a good command of the country surrounding. We remained here some fifteen or twenty minutes, and then proceeded forward on a double quick. Two miles further, and we came to a halt—all our forces being drawn up in line of battle. More skirmishing took place. About 4 o’clock we bivouacked in an extensive hemp field, four miles from Danville. The boys remarked that we had come here for the express purpose of preparing hemp for the “skedaddlers.” That night was cold and stormy. We crawled under the hemp-stacks, and made ourselves as comfortable as the circumstances would admit.
October 11th. Morning still cold and stormy. We changed the position of our guns, and the horses were kept ready harnessed, and every one at his post. Some firing was heard on our left during the forepart of the day, and, in the afternoon, on our right. We, however, kept our position, and at night again slept under the hemp-stacks. The weather still continued cold, but the storm had ceased.
Weather next morning was clear, but cold. At 9 o’clock some of the enemy came into camp, bearing a flag of truce, but for what purpose we soldiers did not learn. About 10 o’clock we were ordered to move forward. Our march was through woods and fields, we seldom being on a regular traveled road. At 4 P. M. we came out on the turnpike leading from Danville to Camp Dick Robinson, and proceeded towards the latter place. The smoke of the enemy’s camp-fires could be plainly seen. When within four miles of the camp we were ordered to “about face,” and march back. So face about it was, and we were again passing over the same ground that we had but just traveled.
“We marched boldly down the road,—
Then marched back again.”