Texas Monument Is Dedicated At
RICHMOND, Ky. — The Texas Historical Commission, with the Madison County Historical Properties Division and the Battle of Richmond Association, recently dedicated a Texas monument on the central Kentucky battlefield. The fight was an overwhelming Confederate victory, and resulted in nearly 85 percent of the Federal forces, equipment and stores being killed, wounded or captured. Many historians consider the Battle of Richmond to be the most complete victory either side had over the other during the entire war. Confederate Brig. Gen. Patrick Cleburne was seriously wounded there. The 8-foot monument, carved from Texas Sunset granite and featuring the Lone Star of Texas, overlooks a hidden ravine from which four regiments of Texas Dismounted Cavalry (10th, 11th, 14th and 15th) under Col. Thomas McCray, along with a regiment of Arkansas sharpshooters, stormed the Federal right flank on the morning of Aug. 30, 1862. Their attack resulted in the entire Federal line collapsing. Douglas’ Texas light artillery, under the command of Capt. James P. Douglas, fired the first Confederate shots of the battle, answering the Federal artillery. “It is appropriate that Texas place the first state memorial on the bloody ground at the Battle of Richmond, since her sons played such a pivotal role here,” Phillip Seyfrit, Battlefield Superintendent at the Battle of Richmond, told attendees at the May 23 ceremony. The Madison County Fiscal Court operates the Richmond Battlefield Park, which is just south of Richmond on Battlefield Memorial Highway (US 421 South). The park includes the 1824 Pleasant View mansion, which served as a hospital for several weeks after the battle, and an original brick slave quarters that will be renovated this summer. For more information write the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center, 101 Battlefield Memorial Highway, Richmond, KY 40475 or visit battleofrichmond.org.
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