The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Union General Charles C. Gilbert-- Part 3: At the Battle of Perryville Then Problems

Roadtripping Through History.

Gen. Gilbert was temporarily placed in charged of the corps-sized Army of Kentucky in the absence of the recovering General William "Bull" Nelson.  When the Army of Kentucky became a part of the  Army of the Ohio and redesignated the  III Provisional Corps, Gilbert remained in command.  

Just one week later, Gilbert commanded it at the Battle of Perryville on October 8, 1862.  There, his troops were successful in checking the last Confederate attacks and driving a Confederate brigade back through Perryville.

Even so, Gilbert was criticized for his slow action in the battle and his men generally did not like him, considered him as a martinet.

His appointment to brigadier general was not approved by the  Senate and it expired on  March 4, 1863.  Some officers in the Army, including Carlos Buell's chief of staff, James B. Fry, were surprised to find out Gilbert had not officially been promoted to major general.

Leaving the Volunteer service, Gilbert returned to the regular army and was appointed major in the  19th U.S. Infantry.  He was also brevetted to lieutenant colonel and colonel.

--Old Secesh


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