The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-09-19
GEN. MANSON'S REPORT OF THE
BATTLE AT RICHMOND, KY.


To Major General William Nelson,
commanding Army Of Kentucky:
SIR: have the horiorto transmit the
following report of the part taken by the
troops under my command in the battles
fought near Richmond, Kentucky, on the
29th and 30th days of August, 1862.
On Friday, the 2eth of August, cou-
rier arrived at my headquarters, some
two miles south of Richmond, at eleven
o'clock A. NJ, bearing communication
from Lieutenant-Co Colonel Munday, COM
manding small detachment of cavalry
in the neighborhood of Kingston, FIVE or
six miles south of me- Col Munday in
formed me, in this communication, that
he believed the enemy were advancing
in considerable force. caused two cop
les of Col. Mundays letter to be made
out, one of which | sent to Lancaster
and the other to Lexington, directed to
you, not having been informed at which
place you might be found / also sent
o written message to Col Munday, di-
recting him to hold the enemy in check,
and ascertain if possible his strength and
position; also to learn if the enemy had
left the main road and taken either to
the right or left from the turnpike road,
near the foot of Big Hill, with any of his
forces / ordered the men to stand to
arms, in the lst brigade, and be ready
to move at moments warning. also
sent forward four additional companies
to strengthen the picket which ] already
had in that direction, under the COM
mand of Lieut. Col. Wolf, of the 10th In
diana.
AT 2 clock p. m, of the same day, a
messenger arrived and informed me that
the cavalry under command ofCoL Met
calf and Lieut. Col. 1unday. and the in
fantry picket under command of Lieut.
Col Wolfe, were retreating as fast as
possible to the camp; and that the enemy
to the number of four or five thousand,
was pressing hard upon them. The only
question for me now to determine was
whether l should allow the enemy to at
tack me in camp, or whether L should
advance and meet him. 1t did not take
me moment to decide which course to
pursue, as all the hills mile and half
south ofme completely commanded my
camp, and did not think it my duty to
allow the enemy to obtain possession of
them without a struggle. l therefore
ordered forward the 1st brigade, consis-
ting of the 18th, 45th, 69th and list In
indiana regiments, and the artillery un-
der command of Lieut. Lamphier.
When l had advanced three quarters of
mile, discovered a heavy column of
the enemys cavalry, half mile east OF
the road Immediately ordered Lieut..
Lamphier to get a section of his artillery
into position and open upon the enemy,
which he did with admirable effect,
scattering the enemy IN every direction.
| then moved forward mile and took
possession of high ridge, formed line
of battle on the right and left of the road
with artillery protecting each flank, and
commanding the open country and turn
pike road as far south as Rogersville.
The enemy in a few minutes made his
appearance in considerable numbers oi
cavalry, infantry and artillery. open
ed upon him with my artillery, and after
sharp skirmish of an hours duration
succeeded in driving him, in some con
fusion, from the field, capturing some
prisoners, horses and oneScannon.
I advanced again to Rogersville, dis
tant about mile, where had the mer
bivo1ac, with orders to sleep on theil
arms, and sent forward Col Metcalfe
with his cavalry to pursue the enemy
and ascertain, if possible, what his
strength was. Colonel Metcalfe return
ed about III o'clock, P. NJ, and stated
that he had passed down the road in the
direction of Big Hill six miles, and haC
there encountered some of the enemy.
cavalry pickets, who; after slight sl1ir
mish, retired and fell back some dis
tance. Colonel Metcalfe here had two
men killed and two wounded. At thu
same time sent out the cavalry t.
scout the road. l also sent an order tc
General Cruft to place a strong picket OF
the Lancaster pike, and on the road tina
comes into Richmond on the east side
and to hold his brigade in readiness t,
move at a moments notice.
On the morning of the Both at 'clocl
/ caused the men to stand to arms, di
recting that there be details made from
| each company to make coffee and FL
the canteens with fresh water. At 81,
o'clock ascertained that the enem'
was advancing upon me, and sent an or
der to General Cruft to join me with al
the forces under his command as quick
ly as possible, whereupon, gave order
for forward movement, taking the ad
vance myself with the 55th Indiana.
met the enemys advance half mile be
yond Roggersville, and drove them back
took possession of some woods and higl
ground upon the left of the road. an,
formed line of battle, the 55th Indians
on the left of the road behind fence, tn
the Goth on the right of the road, artil
lery on the left of the 55th, on higl
ground, the list Indiana three hundre,
yards in the rear as a support for tn
battery and as reserve. I ordere,
skirmishers to be thrown in front whicl
was done, those of the 55th Indiana open
ing the battle in the most gallant style
In few minutes, the 10th Indiana com
ing up, ordered it to take position upol
the loft Of the 55th in the woods, whicl
they did, gallantly maintaining thei
1 ground against very heavy force of tn
1 enemy moro than an hour, when an al
/ 4. i. -.