The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-05-04
CIVIL wAR-CBAPTER TWO
By J. w. Van Wrinkle


Gen. SCOTS (Confederate) and Gen.
(Federal) Cavalry began
at top Of Big Hill, and terminated
in the valley near foot OF Pilot
Knob, on Col. Silas Newland's farm,
now owned in part by Mark Settles.
The engagement was brief, result
ing in the rout Of Federal cavalry
with two or three Confederates
killed, and some Federal wounded.
Silas Newland's residence now Mr..
Settles residence was the hospital;
wounded in North
room. Federal in South room. The
blood stains may yet be seen on the
floor. AT the close OF the engage
ment SCOTS advance returned along
Big Hill road to avoid a rear attack
from the forces which garrisoned
Gap.
This force consisting Of Mundy's
Battalion Of Cavalry, and Col. Gar
retts 9th KY Infantry and Col.
Barnes 18th KY Infantry had been
cut of, at Cumberland Gap by Gen.
Kirbey Smiths division, and was
thus forced to detour through the
mountains at head Of Goose Greek,
making their way down Red Bird
creek and Goose Greek via Manches-
ter 20 Mckee, thence TO the junction
of Mckee Road with Big Hill and
London road. The retreating gar
rison from Cumberland Gap was
closely watched. and Immediately
followed by SCOTS men down Big
Hill.
Picket skirmishes were frequent,
every day preceding the engage
ment known as Battle Of Richmond,
which occurred on the 3ist day OF
August, 1862.
The engagement began about day
light Of August 3ist with center o!
Smiths division resting on Rich
mond and Big Hill pike at Kingston
and Gen. Manson's Federal forces
posted at the Brick church. about
one half mile away. An artillery
duel Of short duration was followed
by Confederates charging up the
slope south Of the church. after 4
sharp engagement with small arms
at close range the Federal center
gave way at about noon. The re-
mainder of the day was spent in
rear guard clashes with advancing
Confederate forces. SCOTS cavalry
were moving on the right flank Of
General Manson's forces via White
mill and Lancaster pike.
We should have stated that Gen
Manson was in command Of Fed
erals with headquarters at Ale,
Tribblers residence near Rogers
vile.
Gen. Nelson with headquarters a
Lexington was chief in command
and came onto the field in the after.
noon in time TO witness bitter an6
retreating disorderly force, neal
Richmond cemetery. II was re-
ported that he struck man will
his sword in an attempt to rail-,
struggling soldiers. The writer
witnessed some disgraceful scenes
on night previous and on day o
battle.
Stopping at the home Of Elk
Governor Francis Of Missouri at tn
Francis House on corner First ant
Main, Richmond. KY, kept by JohI
Francis, father OF David Rowland
Francis, the writer sat opposite a
supper Of a Lieutenant in com
mand of a section Of a batter,
which had just returned from a re
connoisance on Irvine pike. III
remarked in a maudling way, ="
guess somebody got hurt. Whit
the engagement was at its hotties
on the following day | noticed tn
manner of an officer who wa
directing the hauling Of water y
the front. He was evidently drunk
The day was intensely hot and dr.!
and the air was filled with dust a
high as the tree tops. In the after
noon, stragglers and wounded mel
were coming into town in crowds.
The Richmond Female Seminar
buildings were occupied as hospi
tai, and the Francis House was lii
terally "gutted" in a few minute
lin securing mattresses, beds, sheet
and pillows for hospital supplies.
Rev. John G. Fee sat near the doc
OF the lobby in Francis House
awaiting the result OF the battle
hoping that he might be able TO re
turn 10 his home from which n
was q fugitive.
The Clerk Of the Madison Circul
Court was INVITING Bro. Fee abou
not having his gun. where
your gun Mr.. Fees" said MT. Barne
the clerk. Bro. Fee replied
don't know that II will be necessar
for me 10 use a gun again. Som
hours later Bro. Fee, Green Hale