The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-12
The Battle at Richmond, XIV.
PARTICULARS OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
From the Cincinnati Gazette Of the lst

ground at O'CLOCK on Saturday afternoon
and came down on the special tram that
brought General Nelson, we obtain the FOL
lowing particulars OF the engagement up to
the hour of his departure
On the afternoon OF Friday, the enemy,
under General Kirby Smith, supposed to be
$4,000 to l4.O00 strong, drove in our cav
airy pickets, Who were stationed out sJme
distance from camp, and the whole force OF
Col. MuDdy and Col. Metcalle's cavalry re
treated to the camp line, about one mile and
half from Richmond
General Manson, formerly Colonel of the
10Th Indiana, had the forces under his c0ms
nand in The absence of General Nelson,
who was at Lexington, consisting OF the
18th, 10th, 66th and list Indiana, the 65th
Ohio and 18th Kentucky, and the cavalry
of Colonels Mundy and MetcalIe, formed in
line of bate, and advanced mile and a
half on the road, when we came in sight OF
the enemy's cavalry, breaking off to the left
Of the road. We were there formed in line
of battle, with the artillery, which consisted
of five pieces in position. The pieces were
at once unlimbsred, and, after throwing a
few shells, the enemy retreated rapidly. We
captured one piece Of artillery. and nEm.
Der of blankets and accouterments.
We thus advanced up the road after them
to Rogersvil'e, and there bivouacked for
the night.
Metcalie's cavalry were sent out to see
how far the enemy had gone. and came up
with them seven miles distant. They were
in force, and our cavalry we're fired into by
them, when they returned.
The next morning, Saturday. between
D and 6 o'clock, Gen. Manson started ahead
with two regiments and four pieces of al
tlllery: After proceeding short distance
we saw some of the enemy's cavalry com
ing towards us on scouting expedition, to
the right of the road, ana after advancing a
short distance we were opened upon by
their artillery. We formed 10 line of bat
tie, and had an artillery fight, which lasted
Tor an hour or more. We now found the
enemy attempting to turn our left flank,
when sharp firing took place between our
and their skirmishers.
The colonel, whose regiment was thrown
out as skirmishers, sent in for reinforce.
ments when the 69th Indiana was ordered
to reinforce him. They advanced Through
dense fire of shot and shell from the ene~
my and went at it like old soldiers.
After some heavy firing they turned our
left flank, and advanced on US with a large
force. We then retreated between two and
three miles, and reformed in line of battle
on some high hills with the artillery on the
right and left TANKS, when the firing from
rt hot
was kept up for several hours, when the
enemy again advanced in large force from
dense wood on our right flank, and after
some severe firing, succeeded in turning it,
when retreat took place to the original
camping ground of the brigade about a
mile from Richmond.
Here General Nelson, who had Just come
up, met the men, and by great efforts res
rallied them, and again formed them in line
of battle.
At this time the ammunition of the artil-
lery had almost given out, and some of the
guns were without any men left to work
them, all being killed or wounded but
with what little ammunition was left, we
replied to the enemy's guns until they eli
ther changed their position or were silenced.
This was about P. NJ, on Saturday,
when our informant left the ground.
He states that Lieut.. Colonel Topping
of the list Indiana had horse sho. under
him, and was dterward shot through the
body and died from the wound. Major
Conklin of the same regiment was reported
killed. The Major of Me.calfe's cavalry
was also reported killed. Lieut.. Colonel
Stout OF the Goth Indiana is reported as
wounded, and so is the Major of the 18th
Kentucky. From other gentlemen who
arrived from Richmond and Lexington last
evening, we learn that another attack was
made on the lines after it was formed by
Gen. Nelson, by the infantry and cavalry of
the enemy, and our forces were completely
routed. Some 1000 of our men were ta-
ken prisoners, and the balance scattered,
many OF them on the road to Lexington.
In this engagement Gen. Nelson received
his wound.
The 95th Ohio maintained their grouDd
until they were scattered by Col. Metcalfe's
cavalry, which dashed in amongst them.
Richmond was taken possession of by the
enemy on Saturday evening.
"a
ment were raw men of the last levy. Our
informants state that they acted well so long
as they were ir position, but as soon as their
commander attempted to move them they
became disorganized, and could not again
be brought into position. Col. Manson
acted CALAMITY and nobly, and his manage
ment of the raw troops under his command
is highly spoken of by those who we're
present.
Gen. Lew. Wallace received dispatch
from Gov. Morton yesterday afternoon, ask
ing him to meet him at Lexington today,
and he leaves with his staff on the first train
this morning
From another gentleman who arrived
last evening from Lexington, we learn that
about 5000 men have been sent forward
from that point, and that stand will be
made at the Kentucky River,