The Battle of Richmond

The Battle of Richmond. . , August 23, 1862 , BIG HILL Confederate Col. John Scott's cavalry defeats cavalry commanded by Col. Leonidas Metcalfe near the Cox house on Big Hill. The Confederate victory opens the road to Richmond., August 29, 1862 , ROGERSVILLE A newly recruited Union army of 6,500 commanded by Gen. Mahlon Manson confronts Scott at Rogersville, driving him from the field and capturing a cannon. Meanwhile, Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith's army of 7,000 battle-hardened veterans advances up the Old State Road., BOBTOWN Metcalfe attacks Scott just south of Kingston. Scott flees south to Bobtown where Confederate Gen. Patrick Cleburne's infantry is deployed. After a short engagement Metcalfe retreats to Rogersville., August 30, 1862 , MT. ZION CHURCH Shortly after dawn Cleburne's artillery opens fire on Union troops near Mt. Zion Church. While trying to flank Cleburne Manson overextends his line. Confederate Gen. Thomas Churchill moves up unseen and attacks the western end of the Union line. The Federals break and retreat northward., DUNCANNON ROAD The Union army reforms here, near Duncannon Road. Manson's and Gen. Charles Cruft's brigades are deployed on either side of the Old State Road. The Confederates attack again and, once again, the Union line retreats in a disorganized rush toward Richmond., RICHMOND CEMETERY Gen. William "Bull" Nelson arrives on the field and takes command of the Union army at the Richmond Cemetery. Nelson makes a stirring speech, asking the men to stop the Confederates until reinforcements arrive. The Confederates charge; Nelson is wounded but escapes capture. The Union line holds briefly but after firing two or three volleys, the men break and rush in panic toward Lexington., AN OVERWHELMING CONFEDERATE VICTORY , The Battle of Richmond was the most complete Confederate victory of the Civil War. Nelson's army of 6,500 was destroyed; 1,050 men were killed or wounded and over 4,300 were taken prisoner. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith eliminated the only fighting force between the Confederates and Frankfort. One week later Frankfort was captured; it was the only Union State capitol to fall during the war.