On August 27-28, 2022, almost 160 years to the day, a reenactment of the Battle of Richmond was held.
Unlike the 90-degree heat of that August 29-30, 1862, the weather was moderate in comparison and there wasn’t a four-month drought to contend with.
But once you parked and walked upon the sacred soil where two armies clashed in Kentucky’s second largest engagement during the War Between the States, you could feel history in the air.
The reenactment took place on a portion of the grounds where Confederate General Kirby Smith won a decisive victory over Federal General William ‘Bull’ Nelson. In fact, the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky is considered to be the most complete Confederate victory during the four-year struggle.
According to official after-action reports, the famed Brigadier General Patrick Cleburne led the advance, accompanied by Colonel John Scott’s cavalry.
Charging north from Big Hill, the encountered Federal troops and the fighting began. Cleburne’s brilliance shined through and his tactics pushed the Federal forces from the field.
During the encounter General Cleburne was shot in the face.
Speculation still revolves around had he not been shot, would the Union army have been completely defeated. The aftermath of the battle saw a total of 5,353 casualties, with 4,303 Union soldiers captured.
The Confederate losses were 78 killed with 372 wounded and one soldier missing.
The great historian Shelby Foote commented in a documentary that the Battle of Richmond, “Accomplished in Kentucky the nearest thing to a Cannae ever scored by any general, North or South, in the course of the whole war.”
The battle scenarios were well organized and the large audience watched the spectacle unfold before their eyes. Both sides offered a glimpse into what transpired 160 years ago. After the battle, a salute honoring God, country, and all who were present was given. Everyone went away with the knowledge that history of Richmond’s Battle is alive and well due to the tireless efforts of the Battle of Richmond Association.
After participating in the reenactment of the Battle of Richmond, I decided to visit the visitor’s center and museum. My friend, Phillip Seyfrit, curator, and battlegrounds ‘guru’ welcomed me and invited me into his office. We had a very pleasant talk and along the way I learned so much about the battle as well as the preservations efforts. As we talked he mentioned a term he coined that I found fitting for the battlefield trust. He said it is a place, “Where the dust never settles.” I concur, as there is always something of interest going on at their beautiful location.
For more information about the annual reenactment and all the other activities, ‘Where the dust never settles,’ go to the following links: Battle History | Battle of Richmond | United States,
(20+) Battle of Richmond Association - Posts | Facebook or contact them at: Battle of Richmond Association, 101 Battlefield Memorial Highway, Richmond, KY 40475. Phone (859) 624-0013 Visit the Welcome Center and museum and tell my friend Phillip Seyfrit that the Old General sends his compliments.