Perryville in Boyle County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Starkweather's Hill
Perryville • The Battle For Kentucky
— October 8, 1862 —
As Union Colonel John Starkweather stood on this hill, watching Terrill’s brigade retreat, he realized the importance of his position. With its twelve cannon, Starkweather’s brigade stood as the only Federal defense between the attacking Confederates and the Union wagons that carried ammunition and medical supplies. As the survivors of Terrill’s brigade and the 21st Wisconsin fled past their position, Starkweather’s men held firm and awaited the Confederate attack.
Although nearing exhaustion, Maney’s brigade found the strength to attack up another steep slope. They killed and wounded most of the Federal artillerymen and captured the enemy cannon before, in the confusion of battle, they mistakenly fell back in retreat.
Regrouping at the road, the Confederates charged two more times. Amidst hand-to-hand fighting atop this hill, the ground became slippery with blood. Finally, Maney’s brigade, with Stewart’s Confederates attacking across the field to your right, drove Starkweather’s soldiers off the ridge.
Falling back, the Federals again formed on the hill behind you.
...we were soon in a hand-to-hand fight—every man for himself—using the butts of our guns and bayonets... Such obstinate fighting I never had seen before or since. The guns were discharged so rapidly that it seemed the earth itself was in a volcanic uproar. The iron storm passed through our ranks, mangling and tearing men to pieces.
—Confederate Private Sam Watkins, 1st Tennessee Infantry
(captions)
John Converse Starkweather
The 21st Wisconsin in the Cornfield
Erected by American Civil War Round Table of the United Kingdom. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 8, 1862.
Location. 37° 40.468′ N, 84° 58.496′ W. Marker is in Perryville, Kentucky, in Boyle County. Marker is on Whites Road, half a mile north of Hays Mays Road, on the left when traveling north. Located at Interpretive Marker 8 on the Perryville Battlefield Trail System (Confederate Right Trail). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perryville KY 40468, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Starkweather’s Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Act of Mercy (within shouting distance of this marker); Starkweather's Wall: Highwatermark of the West (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cornfield (about 800 feet away); Sanctuary (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of Perryville (approx. Ľ mile away); Union Monument (approx. Ľ mile away); On this Spot Brig. Gen. James S. Jackson Fell (approx. Ľ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perryville.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled “Starkweather’s Hill".
Also see . . . Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. Kentucky State Parks (Submitted on March 1, 2021.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on March 1, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.