The Wilkerson Road

The Wilkerson Road. Perryville . The Battle For Kentucky. , As the battle began, Union Colonel John C. Starkweather's brigade took this small farm road to get into position on the Union left flank. The trail you are on follows the original road., Starkweather's men had made a rapid march from Mackville, ten miles from here, and they were hot, tired, and thirsty. There was not time for rest. As the rumble of cannon fire announced the start of the battle, Starkweather turned his entire brigade onto this road, and, without orders, marched them to the fighting. Starkweather's brigade consisted of 12 cannon, 24 limbers, 12 caissons, 144 horses, and 2,200 soldiers. They moved off toward your left, heading for the Union left flank. The road they took goes to the Wilkerson House site, which is stop #28 on this interpretive trail., Starkweather's officers were pleased he had taken the initiative. His division commander, Brigadier General Lovell H. Rousseau, later wrote that Starkweather "had the good sense when he heard the firing in front to abandon [this] road and, by going through the field, to fall in on our left, and I found his brigade on the very spot where it was most needed." Starkweather's presence and his quick actions saved the Union left flank and prevented the Union supply wagons (that were placed behind you) from falling into Confederate hands., The final Union position of the day is up the hill to your right., "As we drew near the point of the subsequent battle the sound of heavy firing in the front caused a general stampede from the ambulance, each [footsore soldier] being eager to join his regiment before its location should change, and in passing along the line I was struck with the air of confidence that seemed to pervade the whole line. The army was certainly ready for battle if the commander was, and every order was obeyed cheerfully and with alacrity." , Union Sergeant Edward Ferguson, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, (Captions):, Col. John Converse Starkweather, US, "I rode to the left and found [Starkweather] in the position most needed." , Gen. Lovell Harrison Rousseau, US