Southern march acreage may be added
to land saved at Richmond Battlefield

In November 2001, a 62-acre tract central to the Battle of Richmond was purchased at auction.

That purchase led to the formation of the Battle of Richmond Association (BORA) and efforts began in earnest to obtain more of the property where the Aug. 29-30, 1862 conflict was fought.

Three more acres may soon be added to the battle’s hallowed grounds, which would boost the total acreage saved to approximately 700.

Robert Moody, one of the founding fathers of BORA, has offered to sell three key acres over which Confederate forces marched to confront the Union in what turned out to be the most convincing Southern victory of the entire war.

The acreage is adjacent to Battlefield Park and across the road from U.S. 421, also known as Battlefield Memorial Highway. The land is believed to be on the actual site of the macadamized road that ran through Madison County and on to Richmond.

In late September, Madison Fiscal Court gave permission for Judge Executive Kent Clark to work with the Civil War Trust in applying for a $50,000 grant to cover the purchase.

Other important purchases, events and acquisitions at Richmond have included the opening of a Battle of Richmond Visitors Center, placement of more than two dozen interpretive markers and kiosks over the entire 18-mile course of the battlefield, renovation and interpretation of a slave quarters, and purchase of property that is Battlefield Golf Course.

In addition, funding has been secured for interior renovation of an additional Civil War-era structure, the Pleasant View House at Battlefield Park.

The Battle of Richmond pitted Confederates under Maj. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith against Federal forces under Maj. Gen. William “Bull” Nelson. When the two-day battle in 98-degree heat was concluded, nearly the entire Federal force was routed and captured. Confederate Brig. Gen. Patrick Cleburne figured prominently in the early phase of the clash.

The battle ranks as the second largest Civil War conflict in Kentucky. Perryville was the largest.