The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-04
Tho Reverse Near Richmond. Kr

Federal rcvcret, near Richmond, Madison
on Friday last.
The people Of this city and vicinity
were greatly agitated, Friday night by
reports Of disaster 20 Federal arms in
a severe battle fought near Richmond
Ky, on Saturday. Yesterday, excitement
increased into alarm which was intensi-
fed BY the hasiy departure Of Major
General Wright and Staff for Lexington
--caused by kilograms from Major Gen.
Nelson that his army had been defeated,
and that he was wounded. During the
day, the news offices were crowded by
excited citizens but no definite iidings
were received until about o'clock in the
evening, when Gen. Nelson was brought
to the ciiy a number of fugitives from
Richmond arrived by the same train.
After countless inquiries, we collected
a consistent and intelligent history Of
the engagement The substantial facts
are that the Federal army, consisting Of
the Ninety-flfih Ohio, commanded by
Col Mcmillan, the Twelfth Indiana, Col
Link, 10th Indiana, Col. Lucas; 71st
Indiana, Lieut. Col. Topping; Goth Tndi-
ana, Mai Morrison; Goth Indiana, Col
Korf, (of CinoinnatD; part Of The Both
Indiana; 18th Kentucky, Colonel War
ner Metcalle's regiment, and a squadron
Of Mundy's Kentucky Cavalry, aud nine
field pieces, under the command Of Brig.
Gen. Mahlon ID. Manson and Brigadiar
General Crults, attacked column of
disciplined rebels. under command of
General Kirby Smith, at Regersville,
(about four miles beyond Riehmond) on
Saturday morning, and after a severe bat
tie, lasting from about six o'clock in the
morning until five or six in the evening,
our army was utterly defeated, with a
heavy loss Of casualties, and loss Of eight
field pieces. The defeat was total, end
ing in a panic and disgraceful fight.
General Manson, who was in command,
was not seen after the engagement, and is
probably a captive. Col. Warner of the
18th Kentucky, is reported MORALLY
wounded; Lieut. Col. Landrum, Of the
same regiment (who fought so CALAMITY
at Cynthiana), was wounded severely in
the face Lieut.. Col Topping, command
ing the list Indiana, and Major Conlllin,
Of The same regiment, were killed; and
Captain Kendriek, A. A. G., DR.. Irwin,
Medical Inspector, u. S. A., and Lieut.
Wickliife Cooper, A. ID. c., Of General
Nelson's staff, were captured. The par
ticulars of the battle are as follows
Friday afternoon, August 20, the Union
cavalry pickets under command of Colo
nels Metcalle and Mundy were driven
in from the foot olBig Hill (some ten or
twelve miles south Of Riohmond) Gen.
Manson advanced about mile aud a half
from his camp near Richmond, and dis
covered the enemy's camp. lie imme-
diately opened upon them with several
field pieces, and the enemy retreated af-
ter a sharp exchange, leaving one Of their
guns in our possession, the advantage of
the fight being decidedly in our favor
Gen. Manson then moved to Rogersville,
about six miles from Richmond, and
halted there during the night, the troops
sleeping on their arms. During the night
Colonel Metcalfe was ordered TO scout
down the road in search Of the enemy,
and he passed some twelve or fourteen
miles beyond our lines, passing and re-
passing, as was subsequently ascertained,
without discovering the enemy, having
adroitly moved off by the flank into corn
fields some distance from the road
About seven miles out on his return, he
ran foul Of some rebel pickets, and skir-
mished with them, but finally withdrew
and returned 10 camp.
Between five and six o'clock in Che
morning Gen. Manson moved a mile on
two below Rogersville with two regi-
memts, three field pieces and a coffee
mill gun, driving in the enemy's cavalry
pickets, which were posted in the woods
on the right of the road. A considerable
body of cavalry was now discovered re-
treating, and Gen. Manson brought his
guns to bear upon them, expediting their
| flight. Soon afterwards a battery, APP
| parently about a mile distant, replied
and a sharp artillery fight enmed, in
which the practice was excellent, botl
| sides being compelled TO shift position
/ frequently, Our guns were managed by
! artillery officers from Gen. q. W. Nor.
| gan's army, who had been home on fur.
Tough, and being unable to return TO theil
| post, had been ordered 10 this specia
duty by Major Gen. Lew. Wallace during
his brief command in Kentucky Mean.
time Gen. Manson had formed his tw,
regiments in line of battle on the righ
and left of the road, The remainder o
the division was ordered up and formed
on the right and left Of the line--the lcf
ina hollow resting on 4 corn field an,
woods. The line had scarcely been form
ed when the pickets on the left reported
the enemy advancing in force. Sharl
firing was heard in that direction, anl
1 Oh afcl, l..fN
warmly engaged Not long afterward
the enemy were driven back, the lighting
being in our favor, but rebel reinforce
ments coming up, the Colonel in com
mand Of skirmishers reported that h
was hard pressed, and asked for reinforce
ments By this time the fight had be
come hot the enemy pressing forwar
with infantry, and playing sharply upo
our column with artillery. The 69th In
diana perfectly raw regiment, jus
marched from the harvest fields of Indi
ana-vunder Col, Korf Formerly 1t Co
OF the 10th Ohio, was ordered in as sup
port, The regiment on the extreme LEI
was then staggering under terrific fir
from superior numbers, and the 69th wa
obliged to move across an open iiel
which was raked by the rebel artillery
But Col. Korf brought his gallant Hoo
siers 10 charge bayonets, and dashe
across the field unfalteringly, men fall
lag at every step; but lhe noble fellow
closed up with the steadiness and fdelit
Of veterans. Their conduct is describe
as magnificent, and il was the MOI
praiseworthy since the brave fellows wei
scarce three weeks from the corn-feld
and threshiDg floors Of Indiana. The
devotion saved the army at that momen
Had they faltered an instant, their com
rades in front would have broken.
Meantime, Gen. Crufts brigade la
| formed on the left Vhc sl,irm;elo,s d !.