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s the army approached Bardstown the resistance constantly increased； retarding Buell's advance； and enabling Bragg to effect his withdrawal from that place； which was accomplished eight hours before the arrival of Buell's army。 A sharp cavalry engagement occurred at this place between Buell's advance and Bragg's rear…guard； when the whole of Bragg's command retired； taking the road to Springfield。 At Bardstown Buell received information that a junction of Bragg's and Kirby Smith's commands would be made at Danville。 He ordered McCook to advance from Bloomfield on the Harrodsburg road； and directed Thomas to move with Crittenden's corps on the Lebanon road； which passes four miles south of Perryville； with a branch to the latter place； while he accompanied Gilbert's corps； which moved on the direct road to Perryville。 After leaving Bardstown； Buell learned that Kirby Smith's force had crossed to the west side of the Kentucky River； near Salvisa； and that Bragg was concentrating either at Harrodsburg or Perryville。 He at once ordered McCook to change his line of march from the former road； and to proceed direct to Perryville。 On the afternoon of October 7th； Buell； with Gilbert's corps； arrived in front of the rebels in strong force three miles from Perryville； where he immediately drew his troops up in line of battle。 Advancing the cavalry and artillery； supported by two regiments of infantry； the rear guard of the enemy was pressed to within two miles of the town； when it was discovered that the rebels were concentrating for battle。 Orders were sent by Buell to Crittenden and McCook to march at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 8th； and for them to take position as early as possible on the left and right of the centre corps respectively； the commanders themselves to report in person their arrival； for orders； the intention being to make the attack that day if possible。
McCook did not receive this order until 2。30 o'clock； and was on the march at five。 Owing to the difficulty of finding water for his command where the troops were expected to encamp； Thomas； on the night of the 7th； moved off the direct line of march some six miles and was delayed several hours in reaching his position on the field。 During the night some pools of water were discovered in small creek about two miles and a half from Perryville。 Colonel Dan McCook with the Thirty…sixth Brigade was ordered forward； and； after a sharp engagement； secured possession of the pools； and a supply of bad water for Gilbert's troops was obtained。
On October 1st； Bragg； leaving Polk in command at Bardstown； under orders to slowly retire to Bryantsville； started for Lexington。 Here he ordered Kirby Smith with all his forces to Frankfort； to assist in the installation services of the rebel Provisional Governor of Kentucky at the capital of the State。 At Lexington； on the 2d； learning of Buell's movements from Louisville； Bragg ordered Polk in writingsending two copies to himto advance at once； 〃with his whole available force； by way of Bloomfield； toward Frankfort； to strike the enemy in the flank and rear。〃 Polk was informed in the order that Kirby Smith would at the same time attack the front。
On the 3d； Polk received the orders； and； submitting them to a council of war； decided not to obey them； but to move as originally ordered。 Of this Bragg was notified in time to prevent the attack on Buell's front with Smith's command alone。 Giving orders for the supplies that had been accumulated in Lexington to be sent to Bryantsville； Bragg； on the 6th； proceeded to Harrodsburg； where he met Polk at the head of his column that had left Bardstown on the 3d。 On the 7th； Bragg ordered Polk to move Cheatham's division back to Perryville； and to proceed to that point himself； to attack the Federal force； immediately rout them； and move rapidly to join Kirby Smith。 These orders were given under the impression that Buell's command was so separated that his right and left were sixty miles apart。 Bragg also sent Wither's division to Kirby Smith at Frankfort； who reported himself threatened by a large force on his frontthe troops under Sill。
Early on the morning of the 8th an attempt was made by the enemy to drive Colonel McCook from his position at the creek。 He was supported by Mitchell's and Sheridan's divisions； who were ordered up and directed to hold the position until the entire army was prepared to attack。 The assault was made with great spirit on Colonel McCook； but the enemy was handsomely repulsed。 Buell anticipated an attack on Gilbert's corps in its isolated position in the early morning； but nothing occurred until after the arrival of McCook's corps on the Maxville road； between 10 and 11 o'clock； when he at once formed his command； of Rousseau's and Jackson's division； in line of battle on the left of Gilbert； Rousseau on the right； and sent his cavalry to the front to make a reconnoissance toward Perryville。 Thomas arrived and took position with Crittenden's corps about twelve o'clock。
On McCook getting his command into position； he reported to General Buell in person； who ordered him to send out a force to the Chaplin River； and find out the position of the enemy in his front。 During McCook's absence Rousseau had advanced the right of his line a half mile to obtain a supply of water； for which the troops were suffering。 On seeing this； the rebels opened a heavy fire with some twenty pieces of artillery。 Rousseau moved his other troops to support his right； and； posting Simonson's and Loomis's batteries； returned the enemy's artillery fire。
When McCook returned to his command； seeing that a good position on high ground could be occupied by our troops on the left and front of Rousseau's new line and near the river； he at once sent skirmishers into the woods at that point； to find out if the enemy held the position。 He also directed Jackson to form a new line of battle with his division nearer the stream； and sent the skirmishers forward to the river as soon as this was done； where they obtained the needed supply of water。 On the formation of the new line； as no heavy force of the enemy had been encountered； McCook； at about half…past one o'clock； rode to the right of his line。 About half an hour later； Hardee； in command of three divisions； under Cheatham； Buckner； and Anderson； some sixteen thousand strong； advanced to the attack on McCook； driving back the skirmishers； first striking those posted in the woods。 McCook had formed his line of battle； with Rousseau's right near a barn on the right of the Maxville road； extending to the left and across that road on a ridge through a cornfield to the woods where the skirmishers were。 The right of Jackson's line was holding a wooded elevation； running off to the left in rear of Chaplin River； while his left； north of Maxville road； was thrown back in a northwesterly direction； forming an obtuse angle； deflected about thirty degrees along broken heights from their centre and right； the point of the angle being near where the Maxville road crosses Doctor's Creek。 The enemy considered the key of McCook's position to be at this crossing； and directed their main attack on that point。 McCook had p