Geologically this region is underlain by middle Ordovician limestones of the Clays Ferry Formation and Lexington Limestone. The Clays Ferry Formation consists of interbedded limestone (40%), shale (50%), and siltstone (10%) (Cressman, 1974).  Due to the high silt content in this formation, this region has weathered to a relatively rugged landscape. The Lexington Limestone consists of limestone with a relatively low silt content and comprises most of the stream valleys in this region, where the overlying Clays Ferry has been eroded away.  An indicator of the low silt content in the Lexington Limestone is that some members have approximately a 95% CaCO3 content (Cressman, 1974). There is very little structure around the Perryville region and differential weathering controls practically all topographic features. The topographic features present would create problems for the commanding officers.

On the morning of the 8th Union troops west of Perryville skirmished with the Confederates for control of Doctor’s Fork Creek.  Upon pushing the Confederates back towards town, the Union forces controlled the Creek and Peter’s Hill, a topographic high in the Clay’s Ferry formation.  After seeing more Union forces in the area the Confederate troops moved farther North.

Around 2 p.m. the Battle of Perryville began in earnest.  Donelson and Stewart’s Brigade crossed the Chaplin River, climbed the bluffs, and advanced to the Southwest.  The steep bluffs consist of the Sulphur Well, Brannon, Cornishville and Salvisa, and Tanglewood members of the Lexington Limestone and are on the cut bank side of the river.  After crossing the river they took cover in the topographically low fields of that area.  In the meantime General Terrill’s Union Brigade of Infantrymen with Artillery opened fire upon the Confederates in the field.  During this, Maney’s Confederate Brigade occupied Donelson’s right side and swung around on the Union flank.

After Maney’s Brigade swung forward Turner’s Battery took up position on a hill in the rear to support the advance. Lieutenant Charles Parsons was positioned on a hill in front of them commanding an eight cannon battery.  Maney’s Brigade crossed the valley and fought their way up the hill, taking Parsons’ position.

From Parsons’ hill Maney’s Brigade would have to cross a valley in order to take Stone’s battery(Photo 4).  They crossed this valley fighting through a cornfield against the Wisconsin volunteers. The Confederates took this hill at least twice only to be beaten back each time.  One topographic problem faced here was that as the Confederates advanced the Union artillerists could not fire their cannons into the valley against the advancing Confederates, the angle of slope was to steep.

While Maney was fighting on their right, Donelson and Stewart Brigade’s would advance across a wooded ridge and up a stream valley in the Sulphur Well, Brannon, and Cornishville and Salvisa members of the Lexington Limestone.  The gentle slope of this ephemeral stream valley afforded the Confederates easily traversable ground and an open view of the Union forces.  For the Union men the ridges above the stream valley, in the Clays Ferry formation, offered them the high ground and a place for supporting artillery.  This again would be a fight from highs to lows.  About 2:45 p.m. the Confederates were advancing against the Federals and drove them back.  Around 3:00 p.m.,  Donelson advanced up the valley and  Stewart took a position between him and Maney (Hafendorfer, 1991).

Close to 2:30 Jones crossed Doctor’s Creek, ascended through the Lexington Limestone bottoms to strike Harris’ line on the right, which was positioned on top of the Clay’s Ferry formation.  After Jone’s reached the heights above Doctor’s Creek he began assaulting the right side of Harris’ line.  At 3:00 p.m. the Federals had Jone’s in check and the fighting continued.  Around 3:30 p.m. Brown crossed Doctor’s creek and prepared to strike Harris’ line in support of Jones (Hafendorfer, 1991).

At 2:45 p.m. Johnson(Photo 3), supported by Darden, moved down Chatham Hill towards Doctor’s Creek.  He crossed the creek and faced heavy fighting at the H.P. Bottom house(Photo 2) about 3:00 p.m. (Hafendorfer, 1991).  This area is a long valley in the Lexington Limestone, which was formed by the cutting and eroding of Doctor’s Creek.  The Federals held the higher ground here.  By using the higher ground the Federals were able to inflict heavy casualties on the Confederates and force Johnson to fall back to Doctor’s Creek.  When Johnson fell back Cleburne’s Brigade stepped up to replace it.

Approximately 3:30 p.m., Adams, supported by Slocum, marched from the high ground southeast of Doctor’s Creek cross the creek and began a flanking move on the Federals (Hafendorfer, 1991).

About 4:00 p.m., Cleburne, who was held in reserve, made his advance across Doctor’s Creek to strike Lytle’s line on Harris’ right flank (Hafendorfer, 1991).  He was successful and moved the Federals back and took the higher ground situated on the Clays Ferry formation.

For the next several hours the rise and fall of the tide of battle continued for these two armies.  Moving from valleys to ridges the soldiers fought their way through the fierce battle. Most of the deadliest fighting occurred in the valleys of this Bluegrass region, where erosion of the Clays Ferry and Lexington Limestone  formed long valleys with moderately steep slopes.  The geology of the area was of special importance to the artillerists.  The Clays Ferry formations high silt content allowed differential weathering to occur leaving many topographic highs.  These highs were occupied by the artillerists and afforded them a excellent view of the countryside around them.  This was bad for the troops caught in the valleys of the Lexington Limestone, as it made them easy targets for the artillery  positioned on the surrounding hills.

The end of the battle saw the Confederates achieving a win in the sense that they had driven the Union men back and now occupied the precious supply of water so badly needed.  Although brief, it was a costly battle for many of the men as noted by Braxton Bragg, “For the time engaged the severest and most desperately contested fighting within my knowledge.” (OR Series I, Volume XVI/1(S22))