M essrs Editors: -- I embrace the earliest opportunity of giving you a sketch of the battle near Perryville, Ky., which commenced on the evening of the 8th, inst., near one o'clock P.M. of what occurred outside of the 17th brigade, I am not able to inform you, nor can I particularize about any regiment but the 42d. However, this I do know form personal observation: That never can troops fight more bravely than did the 10th Ohio, led by the gallant Lieut. Colonel [Joseph Walter] Burke, on who, too much honor and praise cannot be bestowed. Of the 15th Kentucky, led by Col. [Curran] Pope, who received a wound in the shoulder, the same may be said, and the 3d Ohio, led by Col. [John] Beatty, and the 88th Indiana, led by Col. [George] Humphreys [sic], the same may be said: for all did honor for the cause of the Union and liberty. But as I can only speak in general terms of those noble regiments and their brave officers. I will hasten to speak in particular of the part played in the fearful drama by the 42d, in which your readers are more particularly interested.

About 10 o'clock the 42d was ordered to take position in a dry creek, at the foot of a rugged hill, about three hundred yards in advance, and one hundred to the right of [Captain Cyrus] Loomis' battery [Battery A, 1st Michigan Light Artillery]. There we remained till the fight began, which was commenced by the rebels with artillery upon Loomis'.

Shot and shell flew thick and fast over our heads. Very many of the enemy's shells burst over the heads of our men, while grape fell thick all around. Load thundered the rebel artillery, and promptly was it replied to by that brave officer, Captain Loomis, whose battery did terrible execution on the enemy's ranks.

For about one hour or perhaps longer, this fight between the mighty engines of death was kept up, when it was discovered that the enemy was advancing, in solid compact columns, beginning the fight with small arms upon our right, consequently the 42d was the first regiment in our division to receive the fire of the enemy, and promptly did its noble boys answer the traitor's guns.

For fifteen or twenty minutes the regiment stood against much fearful odds, and not a man faltered. We were then ordered to fall back, as it was impossible for us to stand against such superior numbers. This we did, taking position obliquely on the left of the 18th Ohio, Capt. Loomis' battery, and through we were compelled to climb a rugged cliff of rock, we fell back in good order, under a most terrible fire of the enemy's small arms, shot and shell. Strange as it may appear, but three or four of our men were hurt, and twenty-one taken prisoners, including [Company C] Capt. [Alfred] Myler till we had taken positions on a hill obliquely to the left of Loomis' battery, but then there took place a terrible scene of death and carnage which I hope and pray the like may never appear again, but bravely did our men stand and fight the enemy, like old veteran soldiers.

By the way of remark, this is the first general engagement in which the regiment has participated. The forces that marched against us were vastly superior to ours, being the flower of the rebel army. But the 42d held its position and drove the enemy before it, fearfully strewing the field with the dead and wounded. Just about the hour of sun-set we received orders to charge on a rebel regiment, which was done in splendid order, we driving the enemy at least three hundred yards down the hill into a ravine. In this last fight, where our ammunition gave out, our brave, gallant, and beloved Lieut. Col. [Charles] Denby received a shot which passed directly between his lips, cutting a part of the upper lip away. It was a courage inspiring scene to see that brave officer, with the sanguinary tide streaming from his mouth, cheering, huzzahing, brandishing his sword, and urging and encouraging the men on. Once, he rode in front of our lines, pointing to the enemy and urging the men on to victory, or a glorious grave. Calm and collected rode Col. Jones upon his horse, cheering the men, urging them on, and sharing with us all the dangers of the field. Many of the enemy's balls were aimed at him, but miraculously he escaped being hurt himself, but his horse was wounded. All the while the brave and gallant Colonel led us on, and nobly did he do honor to the 42d, it to him, and all to our beloved State. Early in the engagement Major [James M.] Shanklin fell on the field of a wound in the back part of the head by a Minie ball, and was carried from the field, but soon as he had recovered so as to do so, he rejoined us saying, "I am ready for a fight to-morrow." Major Shanklin's fighting qualities were honorably and triumphantly tried at War Trace, in Tennessee, and south Indiana, all Hoosierdom may justly feel proud that so gallant an officer holds a commission to fight secession.

Whilst making our last fight, and when we were charging the enemy's line, Adjutant [DeWitt C.] Evans, with hat in one hand and sword in the other, rode up and down the line, waving his sword and hat, and cheering us on with all the enthusiasm of a soldier and patriot whose heart is fully wedded to the cause we fight for.

As twilight was setting in, our ammunition gave out, and we were ordered to fall back. At the same time, the enemy was flanking us right and left, and we were then subjected to as fiery an ordeal as ever troops passed through; but slowly and in good order our troops fell back, though we were fired into right and left by small arms, and from our rear by musketry, grape, and canister shot, but it was of but few moments' duration, for we were soon relieved by other troops who were supplied with ammunition, and terribly did the enemy suffer, and terribly did our friends suffer too.

Whilst falling back, Lieut. Col. Denby's horse was shot under him, and fell, fastening the Colonel's foot under his side. [Company I] Capt. [William T. B.] McIntire assisted in getting him disengaged from his horse, and though it was in the midst of a mighty rain of missiles of death, both got away safely, the Colonel leaving his horse upon the field. Near the same time, Adjutant Evans' horse was shot under him, so you can easily understand how terrific the scene was.

Of the casualties of the day, there is little to be said; only to recount our loss. We lost 20 privates prisoners in the execution of our order first to fall back, and one officer, Capt. Myler, of Spencer county. [Company A] Capt. C[harles]. G. Omstead was killed, a ball passing in the forehead, killing him instantly. [Company C 1st] Lieut. [Samuel D.] Smith was wounded in the foot. [Company G] Capt. [Eli] McCarty was wounded in the shoulder and [Company C 2d] Lieutenant [Joseph C.] Overall in the thigh. The total loss of the 42d in killed, wounded and prisoners was 167. 20 killed, 126 wounded and 21 prisoners.

Our regiment went into the fight with 660 men, consequently we lost over one third of our number.

Since writing the above, I have been informed on good authority, that we fought a regiment of "Louisiana Tigers," and were crossed fired upon by other equally well drilled troops.

The following is a list of the killed and wounded of Company G, 42d Indiana.

Killed -- Privates A[ndrew]. J. Brown, Robert [S.] Baker, Thomas Hunter [sic: Henry S. Hunter].

Wounded - Capt. E[li]. McCarty, in the shoulder; Orderly [Sergeant] J[oshua]. A. Palmer, struck with a shell and taken prisoner – since paroled; Corporals R[ichard]. McGeehee [sic: also listed as McGeeher], P[armenas]. Ragsdale, W[illiam]. F. Gregory. Privates George Burch, H[arrison]. Browning, R[obert F.]. Carroll, R[euben]. Hunter, J. T. Haller [sic: Isaac S. Haller], W[illiam F.]. L. Hughey, George Kelso, Ben[jamin]. Hopkins, W[illia]m. Jackson, R. A. Newberry [sic: Alexander R. Newberry], H[arrison]. Peachy, John Russel, S[tephen]. Williams [later died "of disease," Oct. 21, 1862], J[acob]. C. Jackman.

Q. K. Juniper Wiggins

Note:

A somewhat different version of the above letter, also from "Q. K. Juniper Wiggins," was subsequently published in the Indianapolis Daily Journal, 22 October 1862:

--We are in receipt of a letter from "Q. K. Juniper Wiggins," of the 42d Indiana, Col. Jas. G. Jones, giving an interesting account of the part taken by that regiment in the battle of Perryville, Ky. As we have not space for the letter in full, we condense some items of interest.

The fight was brought on by Loomis's Battery, which was supported by the 42d. After a brisk artillery fight the enemy advanced upon the right of the 42d, and the fight with small arms commenced, the 42d being the first regiment of its division to receive the fire of the enemy, which it promptly responded to, standing for twenty minutes against most fearful odds, not a man faltering. An order to fall back was given, and the regiment took another position, but in doing so bad to climb a rugged cliff of rocks, under a most terrible fire. But three or four were hurt, and twenty-one were taken prisoners, including Captain [Alfred] Myler [of Company C]. Then followed a terrible scene of death and carnage, but the men stood their ground and fought the enemy like old soldiers.

Our correspondent says:

This is the first general engagement in which the regiment has participated. The forces that marched against us were vastly superior to ours, being the flower of the rebel army. -- But the 42d held its position and drove the enemy before it, fearfully strewing the field with the dead and wounded. Just about the hour of sunset, we received orders to charge on a rebel regiment, which was done in splendid order, we driving the enemy at least three hundred yards down the hill into a ravine. -- In this last fight, where our ammunition gave out, our brave, gallant and beloved Lieut. Col. [Charles] Denby received a shot which passed directly between his lips, cutting a part of the upper lip away. It was a courage inspiring scene to see that brave officer, with the sanguinary tide streaming from his mouth, cheering, huzzaing, brandishing his sword, and urging and encouraging the men on.

Whilst making our last fight, and when we were charging the enemy's line, Adjutant [DeWitt C.] Evans, with his hat in one hand and sword in the other, rode up and down the line, waving his sword and hat, and cheering us on with all the enthusiasm of a soldier and patriot whose heart is fully wedded to the cause we fight for.

As twilight was setting in our ammunition gave out, and we were ordered to fall back. At the same time the enemy was flanking us right and left, and w were then subjected to as fiery an ordeal as ever troops passed through; but slowly, and in good order, our soldiers fell back, though we were fired into right and left by small arms, and from our rear by musketry, grape and canister shot; but it was of but a few moments duration, for we were soon relieved by other troops, who were supplied with ammunition, and terribly did the enemy suffer, and terribly, too, did our friends suffer.

Whilst falling back, Lieutenant Colonel Denby's horse was shot from under him, and fell, fastening the Colonel's foot under his side. [Company I] Captain [William T. B.] McIntire assisted in getting him disengaged from his horse, and, though it was in the midst of a might rain of missiles of death, both got away safely, the Colonel leaving his spurs upon the field. About the same time Adjutant Evans's horse was shot [from] under him. So you can easily understand how terrific the scene was.

Once [Adjutant Evans] rode in front of our lines, pointing to the enemy and urging the men on to glorious victory, or a glorious grave. Calm and collected, rode Col. [James G.] Jones upon his horse, cheering the men, urging them on, and sharing with us all the dangers of the field. Many of the enemy's balls were aimed at him, but miraculously he escaped being hurt himself, but his horse was wounded. All the while the brave and gallant Colonel led us on, and nobly did he do honor to the 42d, it to him, and all to our beloved State. Early in the engagement Major [James M.] Shanklin fell on the field, of a wound in the back part of the head, by a minie ball, and was carried from the field, but as soon as he had recovered so as to do so, he rejoined us, saying, "I am ready for a fight to morrow."

Major Shanklin's fighting qualities were honorable and triumphantly tried at War Trace, in Tennessee, and South Indiana, and all Hoosierdom may justly feel proud that so gallant an officer holds a commission to fight secession.