Battle of Perryville

"I had no sooner gotten in position when the enemy
attacked me fiercely, advancing with great determination almost to my very line, not
withstanding a large portion of the ground in which he was advancing was exposed to heavy fire of canister from both of my batteries."

Brigadier General P.H. Sheridan reports to Captain J. Edward Stacey, the assistant adjudtant-general of the Third Corps, on the eleventh army division, Army of Ohio on the battle of Perryville, Kentucky on October 8, 1862. The second Michigan was in the battle of Perryville:

Headquarters Eleventh Division, Army of Ohio,
Camp on Rolling Fork, six miles south of Lebanon Ky., October 23, 1862.

Captain: - I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of my division, in the action of the 8th instant, near Perryville, Ketucky:
In acordance with the instructions of the General commanding I directed Colonel Dan McCook, with his brigade and battery to occupy the heights in front of Doctor's creek, so as to secure water for our men. This was done very handsomely, after a short skirmish at dayight in the morning, giving us full position of the heights. In about two hours afterwards the enemy advanced in considerable force, through a line of heavy timber on the eastern slope, to drive us from this position. I had, however, in the meantime, ordered foward Colonel Laibold's brigade and Hescock's battery, so that I felt myself well prepared and strong enough to recieve him. I then directed Colonel Laibold to advance two of his old regiments and drive the enemy from the timber, and at the same time put the batteries in position. Colonel Laibold succeeded in driving the enemy back down the hill and across Chaplin creek, after an obstinate contest, in which the loss was severe on both sides, and Captain Barrett with one section of his battery and Lieutenant Taliaferro with one section of Hescock's battery, drove the enemy from every position he took.
About this time General McCook, with his corps, under aritillery fire from the enemy, made his appearance on my left, when I advanced Captain Hescock's battery to a very good position in front of the belt of timber above mentioned, where he had an enfilading fire on the enemy's batteries on the opposite side of the valley of Chaplin creek and advanced, at the same time, six regiments to support him. The fire of Captain Hescock was here very severely felt by the enemy, who attempted to dislodge him by establishing a battery at short range; but Hescock's firing was still severe and his shots very effective, as to force the enemy's batteries from its new position in ten minutes.
The enemy then placed two batteries on my right flank, and commenced massing troops behind them with apparent intention of making an attack on that front, when, by the direction of Major General Gilbert, I reoccupied the crest of the hill.
I had no sooner gotten into position than the enemy attacked me fiercely, advancing with great determination almost to my very line, not withstanding that a large portion of the ground in which he was advancing was exposed to a heavy fire of canister from both of my batteries. I then directed a general advance of my whole line, bringing up the reserve regiments to occupy the crest of the hill.
On our advance the enemy commenced retiring, but in good order. I could not follow up this advantage to any great extent, as the enemy were advancing on our left, General McCook's right having been driven back some distance, but directed the fire of my artillery across the valley on this advance of the enemy, forcing it to retire, thus very much relieving General McCook. This ended the operations of the day, it being dark, and the enemy having retired from the field.
I cannot speak with too much praise of the good conduct of the officers and men of my whole division, all of whom were engaged. The new troops vied with the old troops of the division in their coolness and steadiness.
My brigade commanders, ColonelsGreusel, Dan McCook, and Lieutenant Colonel Laibold, behaved with great gallantry, leading their troops at all times.
Neither can I speak too highly of Captains Hescock and Barrett, and the officers and men of their batteries.
I respectfully bring to the notice of the General commanding the excellent conduct of Surgeon Griffiths, medical director of the division, who was untiring in his care for the wounded on all parts of the field; also the following officers of my staff:
Captain Beck, Aid-de-camp, Lieutenant George Lee, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Lieutenant Van Pelt, Division Commisionary, and Lieutenants Denning and Burton, for their activity in bearing orders, and other valuable assistance rendered me during the day.
The total casualties in my division were as follows:
Killed, 44; wounded, 274; missing, 12. Total, 330.
I inclose herewith a list of same, given names, rank, company and regiment.
The report is also accompanied by the reports of brigade and battery commanders.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P.H. SHERIDAN,
Brigadier General Commanding.

[to] CAPTAIN EDWARD STACEY,
Assistant Adjudtant General, Third Corps.