The Battle of Perryville, fought on October 8, 1862, was the largest and
most significant Civil War battle fought in the Commonwealth of
Kentucky.
The Battle of Perryville laid waste to more than just soldiers and
their supplies. The commonwealth's largest combat engagement also took
an immense toll on the community of Perryville, and citizens in
surrounding towns.
After Confederates achieved a tactical victory, they were nonetheless
forced to leave the area. With more than 7,500 casualties, the remaining
Union soldiers were unprepared for the enormous tasks of burying the
dead, caring for the wounded, and rebuilding infrastructure. Instead,
this arduous duty fell to the brave and battered locals.
Former executive director of the Perryville Battlefield Preservation
Association, author Stuart Sanders presents the first in depth look
into how the resilient residents dealt with the chaos of this bloody
battle and how they rebuilt their town from the rubble leftover.