Perryville in Boyle County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Gay's Cavalry Brigade
Perryville • The Battle For Kentucky
| — | October 8, 1862 | — |
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 17, 2025
1. Gay's Cavalry Brigade Marker
Ebenezer Gay (1856-1871) graduated 6th in his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1855. After serving in the US army on the frontier with the Dragoons, he was promoted to Captain in the 16th United States Infantry when the Civil War broke out. Gay was assigned as Chief of Cavalry in the Kentucky Campaign and commanded one of the two Union cavalry brigades at the Battle of Perryville. For his gallant and meritorious services at this battle, he was promoted to Brevet Major.
On the day before the Battle of Perryville, the lead element in Gay's brigade consisted of the new 9th Kentucky Cavalry. They were leading Union Army 3rd Corps when they were jumped by Joseph Wheeler's veteran Confederate Cavalry Brigade, Brigade, scattering the hapless Kentuckians. The next morning, Gay advanced with the 2nd Michigan Cavalry (armed with the Colt revolving rifle), dismounted, supported by the still mounted 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The 9th Kentucky Cavalry was held in reserve. The 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry then advanced line abreast when they came under artillery fire from Swett's Mississippi Battery. The veteran
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Gay's Brigade, then consisting of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and two cannons of the 2nd Minnesota Battery, moved to the north to assist Union 1st Corps. They then moved to this position, between Union 1st and 3rd Corps, and watched the remainder of the battle. Near sunset as the Confederates were threatening the Dixville Crossroads area, Gay's brigade was again called into action to help hold the line until reinforcements arrived from 3rd Corps to stop the Confederates. Gay's Cavalry Brigade suffered 4 killed, 14 wounded, and 1 captured, for a total of 19 casualties in the Battle of Perryville
This being Kentucky soil, it was proper that a Kentucky regiment should have the first opportunity to crush the invaders. A well mounted regiment of them - the 9th Kentucky Cavalry - dashed away in good style, down across the valley and up the opposite hill. It was probably their first charge, therefore we should not lay it against them, if immediately striking the enemy and finding them strongly posted with grape and canister in abundance, they very soon 'struck for their homes,' hatless and considerately demoralized.
- P. Marshall Thatcher, 2nd Michigan Cavalry
We were so near the artillery that we could have shot their gunners with our Navy revolvers. Colonel James in his cool way gave the command: "by fours right wheel - March -- steady boys steady". We fell back under the fire of their artillery. This was the first shot fired from the artillery the day of the Battle of Perryville.
- Cornelius Baker, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry
Colonel James, who was some distance in front of us. He turned in his saddle and asked, 'Who sees a battery?' Someone replied, 'Look in front of you.' He halted us, took out his field glasses and just as he was raising it to his face, they opened two batteries on us. Colonel put his glass away, and gave the command, 'By fours right wheel', and moved us off the field at a walk and two batteries whaling away at us. We understood we were in search of masked Reb batteries, we found [Swett's Mississippi Battery]. Several regular officers complemented Colonel James on the conduct of the Regiment under such a fire.
- Captain Thomas McCahan, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry
Our Adjutant, thinking he had discovered a sharpshooter, took a carbine from one of the men and fired three shots at a big weed which he had mistaken for a daring Confederate. Handing the carbine back to the owner, he mounted his horse and rode away, the boys smiling audibly.
- A.B. Straw, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry
(Caption):
Private Duncan Ross,
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 17, 2025
2. Gay's Cavalry Brigade Marker
Erected by The Veterans of Foreign War Bluegrass Post 680 and Kentucky State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 37° 39.737′ N, 84° 58.873′ W. Marker is in Perryville, Kentucky, in Boyle County. It can be reached from Hays Mays Road 0.4 miles east of Whites Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the Russell House Trail at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. Parking for the trailhead is located at 1826 Hays Mays Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1826 Hays Mays Road, Perryville KY 40468, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Bluegrass Region. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Widow Reynolds Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Minnesota (approx. 0.4 miles away); The John C. Russell House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Explosion: The Ordeal of Ormund Hupp (approx. 0.4 miles away); Russell House (approx. 0.4 miles away); General Polk Behind Enemy Lines (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pinney's Wisconsin Battery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dixville Crossroads (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perryville.
Regarding Gay's Cavalry Brigade. Marker includes a map: Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, 3:45 PM.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
