This weekend

is the re-enactment of the Battle of Perryville at the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site (also a National Historic Landmark). I was born in nearby Danville, also in Boyle County, Kentucky.

The Battle of Perryville was the largest Civil War battle in Kentucky and it was one of the bloodiest of the War. Union casualties totaled 4,276 (894 killed, 2,911 wounded, 471 captured or missing). Confederate casualties were 3,401 (532 killed, 2,641 wounded, 228 captured or missing), according to Kenneth Noe in his book Perryville: The Grand Havoc of Battle (2001). Although the Confederacy technically won the battle, it was a Union victory in that the Confederate general withdrew from Kentucky, which remained in Union hands throughout the War. (Although part of the South, Kentucky never seceded from the Union, but was considered a border state).

The park is over 650 acres and the event includes (besides the actual battle re-enactment) a museum exhibit on the cavalry of the war, a presentation on the ghosts of Perryville, a medicine show, an antique and relic show, and more. For more information, see the Perryville Battlefield website.

Thanks to Angela for reminding me of the event.