Existing comment:
(Stop 15) Jones' Crossing:
When the contending armies converged on Perryville, it hadn't rained in central Kentucky for several months. Many streams and creeks were completely dry, and Doctor's Creek, located behind you, was nearly drained from the severe drought. Only a few ponds of stagnant water remained.
As musketry rattled from the opening Confederate attack, a Southern brigade led by Colonel Thomas M. Jones crossed the muddy banks of Doctor's Creek and formed here before attacking the center of the Union line. Several hundred yards behind Jones was another Confederate brigade, led by Brigadier General John C. Brown. These troops were to follow Jones in attacking the Federal position.
Because of the steep terrain in front of you, Jones' Confederates could not see the Union soldiers. Hearing only the distant echo of rifle fire and the sporadic explosion of artillery shells, the Confederates had no idea that terror and near destruction awaited them on the other side of the ridge.
"Line of battle was formed and we advanced over unwooded but broken ground until we were within the line of artillery fire. We were halted behind a ridge, and the shells going over the crest, exploded in our rear, striking up the dust in a dry, plowed field. Some fragments of bursted shells fell among us wounding several of our men. Soon came the word forward."
-- Confederate Colonel William Miller, 1st Florida Infantry |