Col. J. Stoddard Johnston, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 9.1, Kentucky
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[139] to ‘give the enemy battle immediately, rout him and then move to our support at Versailles.’ As the order was not issued until 5:40p. m., it was understood that the attack would be made at daylight, October 8th, and that Bragg would start to Versailles early, and have Polk follow after defeating the Federal force at Perryville. His idea evidently was that neither Crittenden's nor Mc-Cook's corps was in supporting distance of Gilbert's corps, and that he could crush that fraction of Buell's army by a sudden attack and then concentrate for a general engagement. But in this he was mistaken, as the official publications show that on the night of the 7th McCook's corps was ordered by General Buell to march from Mackville at 3 a. m. on the 8th for Perryville and form on the left of Gilbert, who was in position facing east about three and a half miles west of Perryville. Had the attack on Gilbert been made as contemplated, it is not improbable that it would have been successful; but even then Bragg would have been beyond the support of Smith, and the force under General Polk would have been little better off than it afterwards proved to be.