Battle of Richmond

Part of the American Civil War

Date	August 29–30, 1862
Location	Madison County, near Richmond, Kentucky Coordinates: 37°41′05″N 84°15′34″W / 37.6848°N 84.2594°W / 37.6848; -84.2594
Result	Confederate victory

Belligerents

United States

Confederate States

Commanders and leaders

William "Bull" Nelson

Kirby Smith

Units involved

Army of Kentucky (Union)

Army of Kentucky (Confederate)

Strength

6,850

6,500

Casualties and losses

5,353 total
(206 killed
844 wounded
4,303 captured/missing)

451 total
(78 killed
372 wounded
1 missing)

The Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, fought August 29–30, 1862, was a stunning Confederate victory by Major General Edmund Kirby Smith against Union major general, William "Bull" Nelson's forces, defending the town. It was the first major battle in the Kentucky Campaign. The battle took place on and around what is now the grounds of the Blue Grass Army Depot, outside Richmond, Kentucky.

In the fall of 1862, two Confederate armies moved on separate paths into Kentucky, hoping to restore the Confederate government of that state into power, threaten Union cities along the Ohio River, and recruit men to join the army. First to move was Kirby Smith, leading the Confederate Army of Kentucky, whose ideas provided the initiative for the offensive. General Braxton Bragg, commanding the Army of Mississippi, moved on a roughly parallel track to the west. Smith departed Knoxville on August 13, Bragg left Chattanooga on August 27.

Brigadier General Patrick Cleburne led Smith's advance with Colonel 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.

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