The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-09-17
The Victory at Richmond, XIV.

lowing interesting letter, descriptive Of
the late victory of General Kirby Smiths
army al Richmond, Ky:
Gen Smit!i and staff mounted their
horses at seven o'clock Saturday morn.
ing, and moved TO the front, some eight
miles, to where our forces arrived last
night. just before reaching the place
the enemy attacked us, opening with ar
tillery, and in about an hour the infantry
opened :; in less than an hour we drove
them from their position, with grea,
slaug hter on their side, We taking many
prisoners. Our loss quite heavy, espe
cially in officers. We moved on about
two miles beyond Rogersvile, at which
place the first fight occurred, and found
them again in position, when we made
the attack, and the second time drove
ihem from their position with still great.
or loss both in killed, wounded and miss
ing, with smaller loss on our side. This
second fight occurred about 2 or -.
clock. and our troops having marched
some eight miles, and having no water
except little taken from the s,agnant
pools along the road, and seeing the enc
my again preparing TO receive US, we
halted our men and gave them several
hours rest. Everything being ready, n
short march brought US within sigh, Of
Richmond, where the enemy made a
third stand, when we moved on aud at
ta,ked them the third time. After hard
fighting We routed them, and drove them
through the place little before sun
down, in utter confusion. In this last
fight We did not lose inaay mon, but we
captured from 200 to l,5OO prisoners.
besides their killed aud wounded. After
We had whipped them in front and star
ted them 10 runn;ng. Col. -, with
his Command, who had been sent around
on the Lexington road to catch them,
keeping his command in ambush until
tue relres,ing army came up, attacked
them and succeeded III capturing and
killing nearly the whole army, taking all
their guns and some ten pieces Of artill.
cry, with all their wagons, stores, etc. 1t
is estimated tnal their killed, wounded
and missing will reach some 10 900,
whIs, ours will no, reach moro than
from 800 10 500 killed and wounded
Their loss in killed aud wounded officers
is very heavy. The troops were from
Ohio and Indiana, aud commanded BY
General Bull Ne.son-Coionel Ca.s,us
NJ. Clay commanded y brigade. General
Smith commanded Our troops, and by
hard lighting and the blessing Of God We
destroyed their fine army. /, was a
grand sight to see our illclsd, and some
times bsrefooted troops. with no food and
but lite water, marching with = steady
'front.' on their sPlendiGly equipped foe. Il.
was one Of the grsndsst battles l ever
saw.
II filled our hear" with pride to see
our men move onward Au1 never give
way.
Ger. Smith issued the following con.
gratula,ory order to his troops sftsr the
battle:
HEADarARTERs ARMY OF KEHrrcrY,
RICHMOND. KY, August 80. {
Orders
The Major General Commanding re-
turns his heartfelt thanks to the troop. Of
this command. officers and men, for their
exceeding gaIlantry il the several actions
o! this day. their patient. unmurn,uriug
endurance Of fatigue. during two days
and nights forced marches. and fighting
three battles in twelve hours.
The country shall know Of your suffer
ings on the march, Ms we'll as Of the bold,
pressing charges Of this day.
To morrow being Sunday. the General
desires tha, the troops shall assemble,
and, under their several chsplains. shall
return thanks to Almighty God. to whose
mercies and goodness these victories are
due. T.. KIapY SNrru.
General Commanding.