Richmond, KY
Date(s):
August 29-30, 1862
Situation:
Campaign(s):
Confederate Heartland
Offensive [1862]
Battles in
Campaign:
Commanders:
-
Union:
Maj. Gen. William Nelson
-
Confederate:
Maj. Gen. E. Kirby Smith
Principal Forces:
-
Union:
1st and 2nd Brigades, Army of
Kentucky
-
Confederate:
Army of Kentucky
Description:
-
In Maj. Gen. Kirby Smith’s 1862 Confederate
offensive into Kentucky, Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne led the advance with
Col. John S. Scott’s cavalry out in front.
-
The Confederate cavalry, while moving north
from Big Hill on the road to Richmond, Kentucky, on August 29, encountered Union
troopers and began skirmishing.
-
After noon, Union artillery and infantry joined
the fray, forcing the Confederate cavalry to retreat to Big Hill.
-
At that time,
Brig. Gen. Mahlon D. Manson, who commanded
Union forces in the area, ordered a brigade to march to Rogersville, toward the
Rebels.
-
Fighting for the day stopped after pursuing Union
forces briefly skirmished with Cleburne’s
men in late afternoon.
-
That night, Manson
informed his superior, Maj. Gen. William Nelson,
of his situation, and he ordered another brigade to be ready to march in
support, when required.
-
Kirby Smith
ordered Cleburne to attack in the morning and promised to hurry reinforcements
(Churchill’s division).
-
Cleburne
started early, marching north, passed through Kinston, dispersed Union
skirmishers, and approached Manson’s battle line near Zion Church.
-
As the day progressed, additional troops joined
both sides. Following an artillery duel, the battle began, and after a concerted
Rebel attack on the Union right, the Yankees gave way. Retreating into
Rogersville, the Yankees made another futile stand at their old bivouac.
-
By now, Smith and
Nelson had arrived and taken
command of their respective armies. Nelson rallied some troops in the cemetery
outside Richmond, but they were routed.
-
Nelson and some men escaped but the Rebels
captured approximately 4,000 Yankees. The way north was open.
Slide Presentation:
None
Classification2:
B
Casualties3:
-
Union:
4,900
-
Confederate:
750
Results:
 Confederate
Victory
Battlefield Websites:
Recommended
Resources:
1 National Park
Service summary.
2
Classification:
-
A
- having a decisive influence on a
campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war
-
B -
having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign
-
C -
having observable influence on the
outcome of a campaign
-
D
-
having a limited influence on the
outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important
local objectives
3 Casualties are
someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.
Revised
06/07/2008 |
