Battle of Richmond Kentucky Reenactment
By Greg L. Wade · Originally published December 2018 · p. 45
RICHMOND, Ky.—Clear weather and a bright evening moon welcomed about 300 participants to the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, annual reenactment held on the ground of the actual August 1862 fight, the second largest battle in Kentucky. The weather was warm and mostly sunny but attendees did not suffer like those in the real battle which was fought in the midst of a major Kentucky drought, noted Phillip Seyfrit, Curator of the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center. In late August 1862, Confederate Major General Edmund Kirby Smith routed the Union command under William Bull Nelson who was defending the town of Richmond. Days earlier, Smith left Knoxville leading his Army of Kentucky while his counterpart, General Braxton Bragg, also headed north from Chattanooga. The purpose of the dual thrust was to reinstate the Confederate government in Kentucky while threatening cities along the Ohio River. Brigadier General Patrick Cleburne moved toward Richmond where they encountered Federal troops just south of the town. On the second day after a heavy artillery duel, Nelson’s troops were routed resulting in the capture of almost 4,500 Union troops and total casualties of 4,900. The Confederates lost about 750 killed, captured and wounded. The Southerners, however, could not hold their position in Kentucky in October 1862, at the Battle of Perryville, and later retreated back into Tennessee. The reenactment was sponsored by the Battle of Richmond Association and included Saturday and Sunday battles, a period dance along with a service at Mt. Zion Christian
Church which received artillery damage during the battle. The church also served as a hospital where nineteen soldiers died from wounds. Much of the battleground is still under the control of the Blue Grass Army Depot while 214 acres have been turned over to the Battle of Richmond Association in partnership with the Madison County Historical Society. An annual Battle of Richmond reenactment has been held since 2001.
Gregory Patrick Paducah, Ky.
“Blanket” sale in the camps. Buy and trade gear.
Bugg,
The Battle of Richmond (Ky.) Association purchased the Maj. General’s commission of Bull Nelson in 2016, after it was discovered to be placed on auction in California. Nelson led the Federal troops at the Battle of Richmond, Ky. During the recent reenactment, several participants were able to view the commission in the care of park curator, Phillip Seyfrit. The commission was signed by Abraham Lincoln as well as Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. (All photos by Greg L. Wade)