AAR Perryopolis

Headquarters, 1st Battalion, Birney's Division
Station: Perryopolis, PA
Date: Oct. 4

Arrived in Perryopolis Sunday morning and was assigned field command of the contingent of 1st Battalion soldiers consisiting of the 105th PVI and the 11th PVI. Conducted Battalion drill at 10 AM and went over in excess skirmish drill with both companies. Broke for lunch and relaxed waiting for the battle to occur later that day. Battalion numbers were close to 30 rifles with 2 artillery pieces supplied by Col. Bob Bailey. Took up defensive position behind railroad tie fence supported by artillery on both our flanks.. Deployed Sgt. Mark Hauser's 11th PVI to our fron as a skirmish line on the road, protected by a split rail fence, kept the CPT Towarnicki's 105th PVI in reserve behind the railroad ties. Rebel infantry and artillery occupied breastworks about 75 yards to our front. Both sides artillery opened fire to soften up fortified positions for the infantry assault. As the artillery lightened up, advanced the 105th towards the road to support the 11th. Rebel infantry numbering close to 50 rifles pushed out of breastworks and advanced. Fell back to the railroad ties and enflicted light casualties on the enemy. As they began to retreat back advanced again in battalion front and inflicted heavy casualties as the Rebels fell back. Took light casualties. Deployed a squad to the right of the rebel line under 1st SGT Koch and continued to push the rebs back in to the breastworks. Closed in on the breastworks and ordered a bayonet charge, the battalion rushed the works and captured one artillery piece as well as the remainder of the confederate command in the works, to include there commanders. Casualties on our side were heavy by the end, about 13 dead. Rebel casualties were even higher losing about 30 soldiers.

I would like to thank CPT Towarnicki and SGT Hauser for there help on the field, as well as Gen Kelley for the opportunity to lead the battalion.

Respectfully Submitted,

CPT Michael Murphy
Acting Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, Birney's Division