Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1921-04-26
MARET WRITES or
BATTLE Of RICHMOND
During Civil War When Confed-
crates Drove Federals Over
the Kentucky River

Kentucky" In his last he details
several battles of the Civil War
which were fought right around
here. He writes, in part:
The battle of Richmond took
place August 80, 1862. Skirmish-
ing. a few miles south Of Rich
mond, on the 10Th, between the
advance of the two armies. On
the 3Oth. Brigadier General Man
son (of Indiana) contrary to the
orders of his superior officer Gen
eral Nelson, to avoid a fight and
fall back. marched out five miles
to attack the enemy, and at a.
m. brought on a fierce engage
ment between his force Of 1000
and the Confederate force Of
somewhat greater numbers,
which lasted until II O'Clock.
A lull of about one hour ensu-
ed. both sides seeming exhausted
when the battle was renewed. but
the tide soon turned against the
Federals, who fed in every direc-
ton, the main body keeping the
pike toward Richmond.
! Two miles from Richmond Gen.
| Nelson. who had ridden 81 miles
| that dav on a relay OF horses, met
and rallied the flying forces max
ing a brief and desperate resist
ance. even cutting down with his
sword an officer Wo called to his
men to scatter and run. The
panic soon was complete and he,
unwilling to give up. was STIR
rounded by the enemy, twice
wounded, and would have been
killed but for the daring act OF
Major General Green Clay. who
seized his bride and forced him
from the field.
At the crossing of the KentuC-
Ky river. he rallied some fra@-
ments of the regiments to check
the pursuing force. but only for 4
few minutes. Such utter demor-
alizatiOn and panic could not be
suddenly recovered from. and a
large part of the troops took thru
the woods and fields not Ceasing
their flight until they had cross
ed the Ohio river. Don't tell me
those rebel soldiers won't fight"
said 4 Federal major, who had re-
treated to the bank Of the Ohio,
but whose courage had stood the
test of many we'll fought battle
in other chimes; ''they lived on
nothing but green corn, giving
their horses one ear while roast
ing another for themselves, but I
tell you they fought like devils !"
In the singular excitement that
ensued for weeks, no accurate
account Of the loss was publish
ed; the Federal loss IS variOusly
stated at 225 to 400 killed; 350fo
HOO wounded, and from 5000 to
5000 prisoners: the Confederate
loss in killed from 100 to $50 and
wounded at from $50 to 500. The
prisoners were paroled and set
free. (The compiler of these ar
ticles has a distinct recollection
of hearing the cannonading dur
ing the battle of Richmond. Is
miles away, at his home in Gar
rard county; his age at that time
was seven years.
September 1st Paris was eva
cuated by the Federals. who fell
back on General Kirby Smiths
troops occupied Lex
ington. Their approach caused
great excitement at Louisville,
and Covington, Newport and
Cincinnati; where the next day
martial law was proclaimed. YER
sail1es was occupied by Confeder-
ates September 2.
Several sIirmishes occurred
during the month in different
portions of the state.
Morgan's Calvary reached
Lexington on September 4 at 10
a. m, amid enthusiastic shouts
and congratulations. They enter
ed Kentucky via. Allen county,
thence through Glasgow, Column
bia. Liberty, Hustonville, Dan
vile, and Nicholasville. Within
a few days Capt W. c. P. Brock
inridge, Lieut.. Sam D. Morgan,
"a cousin of Col. John H. Nor
GAM and Col. Cluke and Chen
ault recruited nearly 1000 men
for their battalion and regiment.
Capt (now Brigadier sGeneraD
Abram Buford, recruited three
regiments of calvary under Col.
Butler, Smith and Grigsby.
A slirmish occurred near Paint
Paint Lick, Garrard county land
Big Hill, Madison county, be-
tween Col. Ed McCook's Federals
and Col. John H. Morgan's and
81