200 attend Michigan marker placement,
dedication at Battle of Richmond

Approximately 200 Civil War enthusiasts from Michigan and Madison County, Ky., turned out for dedication ceremonies for a Michigan historical marker installed July 21 at the Battle of Richmond’s Battlefield Park.

The ceremony and marker are in honor of the men of Batteries F and G of Michigan’s First Light Artillery who fought at the 1862 Battle of Richmond, Ky. The artillery unit successfully drove back Confederate troops Aug. 29, but were overcome the following day as veteran Southern troops overran inexperienced Union forces to win a battle that became known as most overwhelming Confederate victory of the entire Civil War.

The five-by-four bronze marker is located near the spot where the two batteries were stationed. Funds for it were provided by private donations and several Civil War roundtables from Michigan and Kentucky.

Wounded Michigan troops were among the first to be taken to a field hospital at nearby Mt. Zion Christian Church, where the dedication ceremony was conducted.

Phillip Seyfrit, Madison County Historic Properties director, said the Michigan batteries fired some of the “most significant shots of the battle” during a two-hour artillery duel that initiated the fighting. He cited them for their “remarkable service.”

Some 15 Michigan Civil War leaders attended and took part in the ceremony, including Liz Stringer, president of the Abraham Lincoln Civil War Roundtable, and Kimberly Johnson of the Michigan Historical Commission.

The Michigan marker is the second historical memorial to be placed at the 12-year-old Battlefield Park. A Texas monument was erected in 2009.