The Civil War at Perryville: Battling for the Bluegrass

by Christopher L. Kolakowski

A comprehensive history of the bloody Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, featuring over sixty historic images and maps.

Desperate to seize control of Union-held Kentucky, a border state, the Confederate army launched an invasion into the commonwealth in the fall of 1862. The incursion viciously culminated at an otherwise quiet Bluegrass crossroads and forever altered the landscape of the war. The Battle of Perryville lasted just one day yet produced nearly eight thousand combined casualties and losses, and some say nary a victor. The Rebel army was forced to retreat, and the United States kept its imperative grasp on Kentucky throughout the war. Famous Confederate diarist Sam Watkins, whose Company Aytch journals were featured as a major narrative thread in Ken Burns’ award-winning Civil War documentary series, declared Perryville the hardest fighting that he experienced. Indeed, history would record that Perryville the second bloodiest battle of the Western Theater after Shiloh.

Few know this hallowed ground like Christopher L. Kolakowski, former director of the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association, who draws on letters, reports, memoirs and other primary sources to offer the most accessible and engaging account of the Kentucky Campaign yet, featuring over sixty historic images and maps.

Genres: Civil War, Military History

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2018 my wife and I toured the Civil War battlefield in Perryville, Kentucky. After viewing the visitor center videos, we purchased Christopher Kolakowski’s excellent book “The Civil War at Perryville: Battling for the Bluegrass.” His book is part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Series; and has been reprinted six times from 2009-12. During day one of the fighting, within 5 hours, there were over 7,500 casualties —the largest per hour casualty count during the entire Civil War. According to The author, Perryville was both a strategic Union victory and a tactical win for the Confederacy. As a result of the battle, Kentucky remained a Union state. (P)

[Brian Miracle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the Perryville Campaign and Battle. I would suggest reading this book first, followed by Noe’s book for a detailed discussion of the battle. For even more detail on the fighting on the Confederate left flank, read the book on Maney’s brigade.

This book functions well as a quick first read on Perryville.

[Mark Ely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally found the details

Always read that the battle of Perryville was confusing. Amazed at how many Civil War books gave so few actual details. Finally this complete book on the battle gives the details. Excellent writing; so many green troops sure got beat up by veterans.

[Jane Kolakowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read on Perryville

Very good overview of the Battle of Perryville . This was key battle of the Civil War and this book provides the story in a clear concise manner.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kolakowski was in charge of the very well preserved and informative Kentucky State park of the battle field of Perryville. He has unique insights and access to information to produce an authoritative work on this misunderstood, maligned and under appreciated battle. This book is essentially a quick and dirty look at the battle. The dearth of material on this topic though begged for a better piece of work by Kolakowski than what is found here. It is enough to whet someones interest for more information but can't fully express. I found it useful since I have family in the Lexington KY area and have personally walked the battlefield. When I walked the battlefield the land spoke to me of the violence and of the unique mirage and acoustic signature of the land. The topography of the land made me realize the hell the soldiers went through. After I was through with this book I had a sampling of the land but such a truncated book (that is the design of the series it belongs to)cant give the overwhelming violence that occurred on that battlefield. I'm hoping this book is a primer for by Kenneth W. Noe.

[Virginia Lacefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kolakowski provides an engaging and comprehensible account of the 1862 Battle of Perryville. While this isn't something I probably would have chosen for pleasure reading, I found it to be very interesting and a comfortable read for someone who is not well-versed in military tactics. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in the Civil War and/or Kentucky history. It's a good starter book and the author includes lots of citations that can be followed for further reading.

[JD Carruthers]

Chris Kolakowski is formerly the director of Perryville Battlefield State Park, and I had the privilege of taking a tour of Kentucky Civil War battlefields that he guided. He really knows his stuff and I am looking forward to reading his book.