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Western Federal Blues
Perryville Campaign
General Order #2
Gentlemen:
I am looking forward to the Perryville Campaign and am very pleased that you chose to participate with our organization. Included you will find the general information that you need to prepare for the event.
All troops are to reflect the Western Federal Soldier in the field in the fall of 1862. Although the army had been freshly equipped in Louisville they had endured a long pressed march in a sever drought.
Scenario
The historical scenarios will be representing took place about a mile and a half south of the reeactment location.
(Saturday, October 3, 2009)
Peter’s Hill, Morning of October 8th, 1862
Union Portrayals:
Infantry – 52nd Ohio Infantry (10th Indiana Infantry)
No Uniform Information
Armed with .58 Caliber M861 Springfields (10th IN was armed with Enfields)
Typical Flags for US Regiment
Cavalry – 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Probably forage caps and untrimmed mounted services jackets
Colt Revolving Rifles along with Allen & Wheelock .44 Revolvers.
Artillery – 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, Battery “I”; Charles M. Barnett
No uniform Information
Two 10pdr Parrott Rifles (Left Section); Two Rifled M1841 Bronze (3.8”) 6pdrs (Right Section). The center section consisting of two Napoleons was not engaged.
This is basically the beginning of the battle. The Confederates had passed through Perryville from Springfield Road. The 5th and 7th Arkansas (from Liddell’s Brigade, Buckner’s Division) had been left behind as a rear guard on “Peters Hill” which is about 2 miles west of Perryville. Peter’s Hill overlooks the spot where Doctor’s Creek crosses the Perryville/Springfield road. Although the drought was such that Doctor’s Creek was not flowing, the pools of water in the creek bed were the only water source in the area that Union Third Corps could utilize. Union Third Corps (about 22 thousand strong) was ordered to wait for the other two Union Corps to arrive and not bring on a general engagement. Since the 6th and 7th Arkansas were in easy rifle shot of the water source, elements of Third Corps (namely Dan McCook’s Brigade and Gay’s Cavalry Brigade) were ordered to secure Peters Hill so the rest of their comrades could safely access the water in Doctor’s Creek. The Union forces moved forward before dawn and pushed the two Arkansas regiments off the hill. The Confederates counterattacked a few times but were not able to retake the hill. Phil Sheridan (Division Commander) actually pushed forward and drove the Confederates across Bull Run, up (Sam) Bottom Hill.
Historically, Sheridan was ordered to get his but back on the hill and wait for the rest of the army to arrive on the field, while the Confederates moved their people around for a flank attack. This flank attack never happened because almost the entire Confederate Army wound up fighting US First Corps later out here on the where the Park is now.
(Sunday, October 4, 2009)
Peter’s Hill, Late Afternoon of October 8th, 1862
Union Portrayals:
Infantry – 36th Illinois Infantry (15th Wisconsin)
36th IL: No Uniform Information
Flank Companies had Rifles; Line companies had .69 M1816 Conversions
15th WI: State issued “Sack/Frock” coats; Forage Caps with “15”. They were armed with .58 “Dresden” Rifled Muskets. The 15th was made up of Norwegian immigrants and spoke little English. Their Regimental History was written in Norwegian and their Colonel, Hans C. Heg, has a monument to him in Oslo Norway. Flags typical for US Regiments.
Cavalry – 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Probably forage caps and untrimmed mounted services jackets
Colt Revolving Rifles along with Allen & Wheelock .44 Revolvers.
Artillery – 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, Battery “I”; Charles M. Barnett
No uniform Information
Two 10pdr Parrott Rifles (Left Section); Two Rifled M1841 Bronze (3.8”) 6pdrs (Right Section). The center section consisting of two Napoleons was not engaged.
As the day progressed and the Confederate plans evolved, the opposing positions across Bull Run Valley (Between Peters Hill and Sam Bottom Hill) stayed relatively the same as the main battle raged farther north. The troops had been moved around. The Confederate forces in this sector were Adam’s Louisiana Brigade and Sam Powel’s Brigade. Their orders were to advance out the Springfield Road to 1) see if there were any Union forces still there and 2) if there were Union forces there, attack them and keep them from sending reinforcements to the rest of the Union army (notably First Corps). The Confederates had no clue that there were 22 thousand (Mostly seasoned veteran) Yankees still on Peters Hill.
The Confederate line moved off, Powel’s right and Adam’s left resting on the Springfield Road. Adam’s right flank was near the H.P. Bottom House and the extreme right of his line became engaged with First Corps units (15th KY and 3rd Ohio) in the area of the H.P Bottom House. There was a large hill to Adam’s front so he could not see the Union forces on Peters Hill. Perceiving the greater threat on his right, Adams wheeled his entire brigade to the right (northwest) and moved to envelope the flank of Union First Corps. Witnessing this move, Colonel Powel stops his brigade, probably saying “where the hell is Adam’s going?” As Adams moved away from Powel, Powel delayed, probably trying to find General Anderson (Division Commander) to get a clarification of orders.
Once these orders were clarified, Powell moved forward with three of his four regiments, about 1,000 men. The 1st Arkansas was left behind, to support Barrett’s Battery. This is basically 1,000 men making a real attack, not a demonstration, against 22,000 men. They got away with it. They only had 13 men killed, 10 from the 24th Mississippi, 2 from the 45th Alabama, and one from the 29th Tennessee) they had all of Third Corps convinced that this was a huge Confederate attack, and they did delay the dispatch of reinforcements from Third Corps to First Corps which was, at that time, holding on by the skin of it’s teeth and would be soon cut off from the rest of the army and destroyed. On Peters Hill, the 36th Illinois (Greusel’s Brigade, Sheridan’s Division) took the brunt of the attack. After a while, Colonel Carlin (31st Brigade Commander), from Mitchell’s Division, correctly assed the situation and counterattacked with his entire brigade. Carlin drove Powel back through the town of Perryville (the first document street fighting in the Civil War) and across the Chaplin River. Another Confederate brigade (probably Preston Smith, from Cheatham’s Division) then counterattacked, stopping Carlin at the Chaplin River. Darkness ended the battle with Carlin’s men, dangerously exposed, holding the west side of Perryville and Powel holding the east of town, with the river (which was basically a dry bed that was no obstacle) between them.
Uniforms
An early war impression should be a sack coat with either a forage cap or slouch – we prefer no hat brass - this was uncommon with Western Federal soldiers. Please refer to the information on the scenario information. It has specific information about uniforms or lack thereof. Insignia on uniforms should be kept to a minimum. Kentucky was involved in one of the most sever drought in its history. Please find yourself a dirty patch or ball field and get your uniform dirty. If you can reflect the rigors of a hard march in your person meaning unshaven and in the appearance of an army on a hard dry march that would add to your experience as well as your pards.
Accouterments and Weapons
Black haversack and canteen with wool cover. Knapsack loaded with appropriate items for campaign. . No hardpacks. Bring proper Federal issue accoutrements only. Hike your Traps up High. Civil War soldiers wore their traps close to their belly buttons not at their thigh. During inspections stoppages will be appropriately applied to any private not properly equipped and pay will be deducted. This is part of the Living History Program. Stoppages include missing blankets $3.50, rubber blanket .88 etc.
Weapons – Three-band musket with clasp bayonet: Springfield, Enfield, or smoothbore. Weapons should be in good condition and clean. Inspections will be made of all firearms DAILY. Inspection Reports will be submitted with Morning Reports. Only officers may carry pistols. Officers may carry appropriate to their rank an 1840/1850 foot pattern sword.
Rations
Rations will be issued to everyone no exceptions. You will receive your rations early Saturday. Please supplement your rations to sustain yourself in the field Friday evening and then lightly on Saturday as we will engage in the tactical at dawn. Battalion cooking pots and tools are available to use through the battalion QM if needed.
Company Organization
Field Strength consists of 25 officers and men. Companies should be broken into platoons and into sections. Minimum of a 1st, 2nd and 3rd sergeants. Each section must have a corporal. Those having the honor to serve their company in an NCO or officers position will have the responsibility of rank and be fully involved in the workings of the Western Federal Blues. Everyone may be asked to fill any vacant rank at anytime.
The following are the staff appointments made for Perryville. Lt. Col. Robert Preston, Major appointed on field, Micah Trent as Adjutant, Aide de camp Lt. James Preston, Sergeant Major will be Ken Cornette. Company Captains for Perryville are Mike Davis, Gary Weedman and Thad Gallagher. Jimmy Nelson will serve as our medical officer. Battalion Quartermaster Officers- Wayne Peter, Randy Jackson, and Srgt Girton.
Cavalry commander will be Steve Smith of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade. Artillery commander will be appointed.
Rounds
Please roll a minimum of 120 correctly made rounds per man. Make sure you have the appropriate number of caps. We have several fellows coming across the great pond from Denmark and England. Airlines are making it increasingly difficult to take weapons and ammunition on planes. We are asking that you help support your pards and donate 5 rounds and caps to help these fellows out during the campaign – it would be greatly appreciated, but understood if you cannot.
Tentage and Camp Furniture
The Army of Ohio was on a difficult campaign. They lacked most supplies and did not carry and excessive wagon train. Please limit tents. If you require a tent please check with the battalion officers regarding the use of tents. Shelter halves were not common at this time during the war so if you must use a tent please limit them to A-frames. The battalion will have 2 sibley tents and some flies. We will raise tents if the weather turns unreasonable. Camp furnishing should be kept to an extreme minimum. Absolutely no modern equipment unless health or safety needs require it. Please notify your company Captain if conditions call for that need.
Company Officers should bunk together if possible.
Arrival Times
Staff officers should report as quickly as possible on Friday. General arrival is after 1:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. As soon as you arrive at registration identify yourself as a participant with the Western Federal Blues and Union Army. Proceed to camp quickly and report directly to Western Federal Blues Headquarters and you will be directed from there. Please check the Perryville website for directions as well as the event schedule.
Code of Conduct
The Western Federal Blues are a living representation of the Western Federal Civil War soldier. We stand to remind those of our cherished heritage and honored forefathers. We will do nothing to disgrace his memory. It is our code to do honor to his history and each other. We will fully support our comrades in their endeavors and be respectful of each other as we carry out our duties. It is an extreme honor to be able to recreate history on the very hallowed ground at Perryville. Let us be conscious of this as we make camp and interact with the public and each other.
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Please take the opportunity to take some time and visit the park museum. It has recently undergone a total restoration. All reenactors in period dress will be admitted to the museum free of charge. Please also help the park get the word out that 161 acres surrounding the HP Bottoms House has been offered to the park. This is core battlefield that has an important history and needs preservation. We will be actively fund raising for this effort. You may contact the park for more information regarding their preservation effort. I encourage you to visit their website at for further preservation news as well as historic research that would be valuable to you in your impression.
Army in the Field
All members of the Western Federal Blues will be expected to fully participate in all the functions of a Civil War battalion in the field including drill, guard and outpost duty etc. Please be prepared and willing to participate in these activities.
I am looking forward to seeing you in the field. Please remember that my tent fly is always open to you. If you have any problems or concerns before, during or after the event let me know immediately. The Western Federal Blue’s staff is here to serve each of you and insure you have an excellent experience at Perryville Battlefield. Travel well.
Chad Greene
Commanding
Western Federal Blues
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