Battle of Perryville Facts for Kids

The Battle of Perryville was a big fight during the American Civil War. It happened on October 8, 1862, in Kentucky. This battle was part of a plan by the Confederate army to invade Kentucky and get more people to join their side. Even though it was a very intense battle, neither side truly won a clear victory that day.

Why Did the Battle Happen?
- The Race to Kentucky
Who Were the Main Leaders?
- Union Army Leaders
- Confederate Army Leaders
What Happened During the Battle?
What Was the Result?
- After the Battle
- Who Won?
Why Is This Battle Important?
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Why Did the Battle Happen?

The American Civil War was a conflict between the United States (the Union or North) and the Confederate States of America (the Confederacy or South). In 1862, the Confederate army, led by General Braxton Bragg, decided to move into Kentucky. They hoped to get new soldiers and supplies there. The Union army, led by Major General Don Carlos Buell, moved to stop them.

The Race to Kentucky

Both armies were trying to get to Kentucky first. They marched quickly, trying to control important areas. The Union army wanted to protect Kentucky, which was a border state, meaning it had people who supported both sides. The Confederate army wanted to bring Kentucky into the Confederacy.

Who Were the Main Leaders?

In any big battle, the leaders play a huge role. Here are some of the important generals at Perryville:

Union Army Leaders

Major General Don Carlos Buell was the overall commander of the Union Army of the Ohio.
Major General George Henry Thomas was Buell's second-in-command.
Major General Alexander McDowell McCook led one of the Union corps (a large group of soldiers).
Major General Charles Champion Gilbert also commanded a corps.

Confederate Army Leaders

General Braxton Bragg was the commander of the Confederate Army of Mississippi.
Major General Leonidas Polk led one of Bragg's corps.
Major General William J. Hardee was another important Confederate corps commander.

What Happened During the Battle?

The battle started unexpectedly. On October 8, 1862, parts of the Confederate army attacked a Union corps that was looking for water.

The Surprise Attack

The Confederate soldiers launched a strong attack in the afternoon. They pushed back the Union lines, especially McCook's corps. The fighting was very fierce, with both sides suffering many losses.

A Confusing Fight

The battle was confusing for several reasons. General Buell, the Union commander, was several miles away and didn't realize how big the fight was until later. Also, a strange weather event called an "acoustic shadow" made it hard for some parts of the Union army to hear the sounds of the battle. This meant many Union soldiers didn't know their comrades were in a major fight.

Pushing Back

Despite the confusion, Union soldiers fought bravely. They tried to hold their ground against the Confederate attacks. The fighting continued until nightfall.

What Was the Result?

When the sun went down, the fighting stopped. Both armies stayed on the battlefield that night.

After the Battle

The next morning, General Bragg decided to pull his Confederate army back. He realized that the Union army was much larger than he had thought, and he didn't want to risk another big battle. The Confederates retreated from Kentucky.

Who Won?

Neither side truly won a clear victory at Perryville. The Union army held the field at the end, but they didn't destroy the Confederate army. The Confederates achieved their goal of getting supplies, but they failed to bring Kentucky into the Confederacy. Many historians consider it a tactical draw, but a strategic Union victory because the Confederates left Kentucky.

Why Is This Battle Important?

The Battle of Perryville was the largest and most important battle fought in Kentucky during the Civil War. It stopped the Confederate invasion of Kentucky and helped keep the state in the Union. It showed that the Union was determined to protect its border states.