The Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, fought on August 29 and 30, 1862, was a crucial moment in the Civil War. It was part of the Confederate's more concerted effort to capture the Commonwealth of Kentucky, its men and much needed equipment, for the Southern cause. In addition, it forced the Union to withdraw from Central Tennessee and other key Confederate states. The battle began when Cleburne's division advanced with Churchill's division lying behind him on the Richmond road.
The 12th and 66th Indiana Brigades were left in Cruft's hands, and these troops retreated two miles in the rear of the original battle line in an attempt to reunite the rest of the command. For a brief period, he rallied his men and formed a line of battle in Richmond Cemetery, south of the city. Union troops were established in a defensive line on either side of a church located on high ground off the Richmond Highway and approximately 5 and a half miles below Richmond. Faced with this desperate situation, Cruft's brigade, with the 95th from Ohio at the forefront, began arriving on the battlefield and marched to the double-quick from their camp in Richmond.
After intense combat, the battle ended when Confederate forces invaded the last position of the federal army in the city of Richmond. The crowd that had been part of the Union army panicked and retreated disorganized through the streets of Richmond and went to the Lexington road. The Battle of Richmond is considered to be one of the most decisive Confederate victories of the war. Around 10 o'clock in the morning, the leading brigade of Churchill's division, led by Colonel Thomas McCray, began arriving in the woods east of the Richmond Highway. This was followed by an intense exchange of small arms fire.
Nelson arrived on the battlefield from Lexington and tried to form lines in Richmond Cemetery with what was left of his army in ruins. That ended the day's fighting, and Manson told Cruft in Richmond that he was ready to march in support of him in the morning. In 2001, The Battle of Richmond Association (BORA) was formed to lead efforts to preserve this nearly 12-mile-long battlefield. BORA has worked tirelessly to ensure that this important site is preserved for future generations to learn about this decisive Confederate victory. The Battle of Richmond was a major turning point in American history. It was a decisive victory for Confederate forces that allowed them to gain control over Kentucky and other key states.
It also forced Union forces to retreat from Central Tennessee and other areas. The Battle of Richmond Association has worked hard to preserve this important site for future generations so that they can learn about this pivotal moment in American history.
