Rest assured if your ancestor was a Danville, KY physician, he was from Oct. 9, 1862, a very busy man. The battle of Perryville generated around 7,000 casualties in about five hours of fighting. The town of Perryville with it's population of slightly over 350, was totally overwhelmed by the needs of the wounded. Churchs and barns were used as hospitals, and nearly every private residence used to convalesce the wounded. Resources were so limited, and the numbers so great that the wounded were cared for in every community between Springfield, Mackville, Danville and Harrodsburg. In his book "Perryville-This Grand Havoc of Battle" Ken Noe closes with a chapter on the post battle conditions and its effects on the communities. This book is well worth a trip to the library. As to civilian physicians who were called to their duty, I would guess most worked to exhaustion. Should you have documents, or family oral traditions regarding your ancestor, I would recommend you e-mail Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Park Manager, Kurt Holman at: kurt.holman@ky.gov. Any information on physicians providing post battle medical attentions he has would be gladly shared, and any not already on record most welcome.

Chuck