Perryville in Boyle County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Jones' Crossing

Perryville • The Battle For Kentucky

— October 8, 1862 —

Jones' Crossing Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 17, 2025

1. Jones' Crossing Marker

Inscription.

Jones' Crossing. Perryville . The Battle For Kentucky. , When the contending armies converged on Perryville, it hadn't rained in central Kentucky for several months. Many streams and creeks were completely dry, and Doctors Creek, located behind you, was nearly drained from the severe drought. Only a few pools of stagnant water remained., As musketry rattled from the opening Confederate attack, a Southern brigade led by Colonel Thomas M. Jones crossed the muddy banks of Doctor's Creek and formed here before attacking the center of the Union line. Several hundred yards behind Jones was another Confederate brigade, led by Brigadier General John C. Brown. These troops were to follow Jones in attacking the Federal position., Because of the steep terrain in front of you, Jones' Confederates could not see the Union soldiers. Hearing only the distant echo of rifle fire and the sporadic explosion of artillery shells, the Confederates had no idea that terror and near destruction awaited them on the other side of the ridge., Line of battle was formed and we advanced over un-wooded but broken ground until we were within the line of artillery fire. We were halted behind a ridge, and the shells going over the crest, exploded in our rear, striking up the dust in a dry, plowed field. Some fragments of the bursted shells fell among us wounding several of our men. Soon came the word 'forward'. , - Colonel William Miller, 1st Florida Infantry, C.S., About 3 o'clock we charged over the fence we had been behind, down a steep bluff very rough and rocky, up a rocky branch where we was ordered to take off our knapsacks. J.W. Freeman was left to guard them. One man was wounded here by a piece of a shell. We then went on over a rock fence, over a field, two other fences about 1/2 or 3/4 of a mile. , - John Henderson Freeman, 34th Mississippi Infantry, C.S., (Caption):, Colonel Thomas Marshall Jones (1832-1913) , Colonel Jones was originally from the 27th Mississippi Infantry. He commanded the brigade that first crossed Doctors Creek here.

When the contending armies converged on Perryville, it hadn't rained in central Kentucky for several months. Many streams and creeks were completely dry, and Doctors Creek, located behind you, was nearly drained from the severe drought. Only a few pools of stagnant water remained.

As musketry rattled from the opening Confederate attack, a Southern brigade led by Colonel Thomas M. Jones crossed the muddy banks of Doctor's Creek and formed here before attacking the center of the Union line. Several hundred yards behind Jones was another Confederate brigade, led by Brigadier General John C. Brown. These troops were to follow Jones in attacking the Federal position.

Because of the steep terrain in front of you, Jones' Confederates could not see the Union soldiers. Hearing only the distant echo of rifle fire and the sporadic explosion of artillery shells, the Confederates had no idea that terror and near destruction awaited them on the other side of the ridge.

Line of battle was formed and we advanced over un-wooded but broken ground until we were within the line of artillery fire. We were halted behind a ridge, and the shells going over the crest, exploded in our rear, striking up the dust in a dry, plowed field. Some fragments of the bursted shells fell among us wounding several of our men.
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Soon came the word 'forward'.
- Colonel William Miller, 1st Florida Infantry, C.S.

About 3 o'clock we charged over the fence we had been behind, down a steep bluff very rough and rocky, up a rocky branch where we was ordered to take off our knapsacks. J.W. Freeman was left to guard them. One man was wounded here by a piece of a shell. We then went on over a rock fence, over a field, two other fences about 1/2 or 3/4 of a mile.
- John Henderson Freeman, 34th Mississippi Infantry, C.S.

(Caption):

Colonel Thomas Marshall Jones (1832-1913)
Colonel Jones was originally from the 27th Mississippi Infantry. He commanded the brigade that first crossed Doctors Creek here.

Erected by Janis and Don Barnes, Grand Junction, Michigan.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 40.14′ N, 84° 57.978′ W. Marker is in Perryville, Kentucky, in Boyle County. It can be reached from Park Road 0.3 miles west of Battlefield Road (Kentucky Route 1920). Marker is located on the Jones Trail at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1825 Battlefield Road, Perryville KY 40468, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s 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

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 17, 2025

2. Jones' Crossing Marker

Doctor’s Creek is just off to the right.

are within walking distance of this marker: Hawkins' Mississippi Sharpshooters (within shouting distance of this marker); Widow Bottom House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sleettown: Gateway To Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jones' Ridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Palmer's GA Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Sleet Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Lumsden's Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Sleets, The Union Army, & Self-Liberation (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perryville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lumsden's Battery (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Jones' Crossing. Marker includes a map: Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, 2:35 PM.

Doctor’s Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 17, 2025

3. Doctor’s Creek

The marker is out of view, several steps to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.