Because of Bragg’s misconceptions about the whereabouts of the Union Army, he had not given Hardee a respite, but instead had put him directly in front of the Federal advance. As a result, Hardee’s men were being heavily pressed by advancing Yankees all day. Polk then sent Hardee supplementary orders. He was to leave his rear division of some 7,000 men under Buckner at Perryville. Buckner’s men were to halt in order to ‘force the enemy to reveal his strength.’

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As the Confederates placed themselves around the tiny hamlet of Perryville, the lack of water became an issue of major concern. The Rebels soon discovered that just west of their position was Doctor’s Creek. Pools of precious water lay in the creek bed. The creek itself was bounded by two ridges, one to the east and one to the west. During the afternoon, some Arkansas regiments pushed their positions out to the eastern ridge to be within range of the water. Just beyond the western ridge, they could hear shots being fired. It was Colonel Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry troopers skirmishing with their Federal counterparts.

As Wheeler’s cavalry fell back, they informed Hardee that the Federals were approaching in great strength. Although nobody as yet had any idea that the entire Army of the Ohio was approaching, Hardee felt threatened enough to call on Bragg for reinforcements. In response to Hardee’s request, Bragg split his forces again. Polk was ordered to take the division of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Cheatham back to Perryville to help Hardee. The rest of the army continued to march toward Versailles, 20 miles away from the real threat.

Buell, for his part, was just as confused as Bragg. Convinced that the entire Rebel army was at Perryville, he was pushing every unit he had as quickly as possible in that direction. At the same time, Buell was having his own personal problems. A recent fall from a horse had caused a terrible gash on his leg. He was now confined to an ambulance.

Despite this setback, Buell was pushing on. The entire Union Army was approaching Perryville from three directions. In the center of the Union line was the III Corps under Maj. Gen. Charles Gilbert. To the north of Gilbert, eight miles behind, was the I Corps under Maj. Gen. Alexander McCook. To the south, about 10 miles behind, was the II Corps under Maj. Gen. Thomas Crittenden.

Union and Confederate forces first made contact on the afternoon of October 7. The Union scored the first victory, driving in Wheeler’s cavalry. The pursuing bluecoats raced to the banks of Doctor’s Creek, but were driven back by heavy fire from the veteran Arkansans on the far ridge.

At 11 o’clock that night, advance elements of Gilbert’s corps finally reached the creek. They, too, launched an assault to secure much needed water, but were driven back by the Confederates.

Buell, who was traveling with Gilbert, heard about the repulse and ordered another attack launched at 2 a.m., after more of Gilbert’s corps was on the field.

The moonlit assault fell under the responsibility of Phil Sheridan, a newly minted brigadier general eager to show off his stars. Sheridan’s troops crossed the western ridge, passed over the water course, and stormed into the Confederate positions. Desperate hand-to-hand fighting took place, and eventually the Confederates were driven off. Sheridan wanted to continue to fight, but was halted at the ridge. He was in an advanced and exposed position, and Gilbert wanted more troops in place before he made a further push.

During the night, both sides continued to march troops into the Perryville area. Polk had arrived with Cheatham’s division and new orders to attack the Federals. As they began to make ready for the assault, both Polk and Hardee sensed that something was amiss. What they sensed, but did not yet understand, was that they were on the field with a mere 16,000 men opposed to Buell’s 60,000. Meanwhile, Bragg was at Versailles with 36,000 veteran troops, preparing to hold off a single Federal division of 12,000 men. Sheridan’s predawn assault had done much to unnerve the Confederate commanders. Polk was now getting ready to fight a defensive battle in the morning, while Hardee was sending Bragg messages urging him to pull the army together: ‘Don’t scatter your forces.’

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