October 6, 1862: Buell sends McCook to Perryville

Alexander McCook

Buell here orders General McCook to move to Perryville, Kentucky. As the appended note states, Hardee’s troops were headed there as well, and the two forces would meet in a couple of days.

Official Record

OCTOBER 6, 1862-11.30 p.m.
General McCOOK:

Dispatches received from General Dumont this afternoon lead to the belief that General Sill is still at Shelbyville and not at Frankfort, as supposed when I wrote you to-day.* It will not do therefore for you to attempt to form a junction with him (Sill) at Harrodsburg. You will consequently march on Perryville instead of Harrodsburg. Captain Williams, the bearer, feels confident that he can conduct your column through by Willisburg or Mackville to within 5 miles of Perryville by to-morrow night. This would be very desirable, as it would put you in position to take part in anything which may result from the advance on Perryville to-morrow by the other corps.

If, however, you think the road will not do, then come by way of the Springfield and Perryville road direct and each the Little Beech, 5 miles from Springfield, to-morrow night. General Sill must make forced marches to join you, moving by Bloomfield, Glenville, and Springfield, and the direct road to Perryville. The provisions for Jackson’s division, now at Bardstown, in Captain Williams’ 35 wagons, should of course he shared with the other divisions if necessary, and your other trains should be hurried forward and the empty wagons sent for more supplies to Shepherdsville unless otherwise ordered. You must of course be prepared for action at any moment. Report your action on this order, stating which road you take and your progress. We will be on the direct road from Perryville to Springfield, leaving our present camp about 7 a.m.

The movement of Sill’s division must depend on the correctness of this report that the enemy have left Frankfort.

Respectfully,
JAMES B. FRY,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.

NOTE BY GENERAL BUELL.- The original dispatch should have added here: “Other information indicates that the enemy will concentrate at Perryville or Harrodsburg.”