Near Richmond in Madison County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Manson's First Line

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010

1. Manson's First Line Marker

Inscription. Gen. Mahlon D. Manson marched south along the Old State Road (US 421) from Richmond seeking the Confederate army. As he topped the hill where Mt. Zion Church stands he began to deploy his army. Using the road as his guide, he deployed his infantry and artillery, alternating his infantry regiments with his artillery. The west end of the Union line, the Union right, was held by the 69th Indiana, which was positioned west of Mt. Zion church. To their east, and just east of the road, was Lt. Byron D. Paddock's section of Battery D 1st Michigan Artillery. To their east was the 55th Indiana, then Lt. Edwin O. Lanphere of Battery G 1st Michigan Artillery. On the far east end of the line, the 16th Indiana held the Union left. The 71st Indiana was held in reserve so that if a portion of the line was threatened the 71st or a portion of it could be rushed to that area.

Manson was ordered not to risk a general engagement unless he was sure of success. This was sage advice since Manson's brigade was green. The 55th Indiana was the veteran of the group, having been mustered in June 16, just over two months earlier. the other three regiments

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were all mustered in late August 1862. Even the artillery was improvised; guns and officers were scraped together for Manson's command. While Manson had managed to get his brigade into a textbook line of battle, he still had to engage in battle against a division of veterans.

Civil War battles often played out in the manner prescribed by field manuals for maneuvering and fighting soldiers, such as Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics: For The Exercise And Maneuvers Of Troops When Acting As Light Infantry Or Riflemen, by Brevet Lieut. Col. W.J. Hardee, more commonly referred to as Hardee's Tactics. All of the officers who were trained at West Point were well versed in these rules, as were many of the amateurs who served in the militia. Soldiers generally arrived at a battlefield in a column, that is, a line of four men across. In order to fight the battle the man were then deployed in line of battle. Imagine a vertical line becoming horizontal, in a maneuver carried out in a rigidly prescribed way with thousands of men.

Erected by Civil War Discovery Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1862.

Location. 37° 40.508′ N,

Wartime Illustration - Line of Battle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010

2. Wartime Illustration - Line of Battle

84° 15.075′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Kentucky, in Madison County. It can be reached from General Nelson Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the Bluegrass Army Depot. This is a restricted-access area and not open to the general public. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond KY 40475, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Confederates Crush The Union Left (here, next to this marker); Civil War Field Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mt. Zion Church - Field Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michigan Light Artillery Regiment / Batteries F and G (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 6, 2010

3. Manson's First Line Marker

away); The Skirmishers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Manson's Mistake (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Reckless And Useless Charge (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 974 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?