The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-09-12

|.
the property of traitors, and that they them
fseated the debts due Northern men, they con-
hscated not the property of traitors, but what
they term a common enemy. Our converse
lion was deeply interesting, and was partiei-
pated In with much good feeling.
THE DEFEAT Al RICHMOND, Ky.
The defeat of our forces at Richmond, Nv,
under Gen Nelson, was a most unfortunate
affair. They were mostly raw recruits, going
TO reinforce Gen Morgan at Cumberland
Gap. The correspondent OF the CINCINNATI
Gazette gives the following account of the sf
fair
"On the afternoon of Friday, the enemy
under Gen Kirby Smith, supposed to be r.
600 to l4.000 strong, drove in our cavalry
nlckets, who were stationed cut some distance
from camp, and the whole force of Col Mum
Gy and Col Metcalfe's cavalry retreated to the
camp lire. about one mile and half from
Richmond. Gen Manson, formerly colonel
of the 10th Indiana, had the forces under his
command IN the absence of Gen Nelson, who
was at Lexington, consisting of the 10Th,
10th, 66th, Goth, and list, Indiana, the 95tn
Ohio, and 18th Kentucky, and the cavalry of
Coils MuEdy and Metcalfe, formed in line of
battle, and advanced mile and half on the
road. when We came in sight of the enemy's
cavalry, breaking off to the left of the road.
We there formed in lire of battle with the
artillery, which consisted of Eve pieces, in
position. The pieces were at once unlimber-
ed, and after throwing a few shells, the enc
my retreated rapidly. We captured one piece
of artillery, and number of blankets and &C
eouterments. We thus advanced sp the road
after them to R,gersville, and there bivou-
acked for the night.
The next morning Saturday, between
five and SIX O'Clock, Gen Manson started
ahead with two regiments and four pieces of
artillery. After proceeding short distance
We saw some of the enemy's cavalry coming
toward Us, on scouting expedition, the right
of the road, and after advancing short dis
tance We were opened upon by their artillery.
We formed in line Of battle, and had an artil-
lery fight which lasted for 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 reinforcements. when
the 69th Indiana was ordered TO reinforce
him. They advanced through dense fire of
shot and shell from the enemy, and went at
it like old soldiers. After some hard firing
they turned cur left flank, and advance on US
with large force. We then retire .ted between
two and three miles, and reformed in line of
battle on some high hills, with the artillery
on the right and left hanks, when the firing
from the artillery commenced on both sides,
and was kept up for several hours, when the
enemy again advanced in large force from
dens. wood on our right flank, and after some
severe fighting succeeded in turning it, when
retreat took place to the original camping
ground of the brigade about mile from
Richmond. Here Gen Nelson, who had Just
come up. met the men. and by great efforts
rallied them, and again formed them in line
o. battle. At this time the ammunition of
; the artillery 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 re-
piled TO the enemy's guns until they either
change their position or were siienced.
Another attack was made on the lines
after il Was formed by Gen Nelson, by the
infantry and cavalry of the enemy, and our
forces were completely routed. Some two
thousand of our men were taken prisoners
and the balance scattered, many of them on
, tn. road to Lexington. In this engagement
+ Gen Nelson received his wound. The 95,h
!; Ohio maintained their ground until they were
) scattered by Metcalfe's cavalry, which dashed
, in amongst them. Richmond was taken pos.
session of by the enemy on Saturday even
ing. All our forces that were in this engage
, ment were raw men of the last levy. They
, acted well so long as they were in position,
but as soon as their commander attempted to
move them they became disorganized, and
could not again be brought into position"