By Shannon Clinton
In the late August 福利姬视频 heat in 1862, the Battle of Richmond was fought between Union and Confederate troops in the American Civil War.
鈥淚t was the second-largest Civil War battle in 福利姬视频, and it was the most decisive victory that either side had over the other during the entire war,鈥� says David E. Jones, assistant director for Visit Richmond and past president of the Battle of Richmond Association.
According to the American Battlefield Trust, this battle was fought Aug. 29-30, 1862, making this year the 160th anniversary of Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith鈥檚 victory here over Union Gen. William 鈥淏ull鈥� Nelson鈥檚 troops. The battle鈥檚 ultimate significance was revealed several days later as 福利姬视频鈥檚 capital, Frankfort, was overtaken by Confederate forces, the only Union capital to have done so during the war.
The ABT says 13,350 forces engaged in battle, nearly equal in number between the two sides, but the casualties were much more lopsided, with Union troops sustaining 4,900 of the total 5,650 estimated casualties, with about 4,000 captured and the remainder escaping, dead or wounded in battle.
Though reenactments have been held here off and on for a half-century, officially this year is the 16th for the reenactment in its current format, Jones said, though a two-year hiatus ensued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Battlefield Park is one of the newer Civil War parks/sites and interpretive battlefields in the state, he added, as a movement arose over the past 16 or so years to preserve and interpret this property.
Typically there are about 300 reenactors participating, though some years have drawn up to 600, Jones said, some coming from as far away as Florida, Texas and Michigan. A couple thousand spectators regularly come for the reenactment and related activities, which include a Civil War-era baseball game on Saturday between the Cincinnati Redstockings and the Georgetown Gentlemen dressed in period costumes and playing by rules of this bygone time.
Richmond resident, Battle of Richmond Association board member and reenactor Chris Workman is a middle school history teacher in Berea who says he鈥檚 always had a deep interest in the American Civil War.
鈥淚 have had the pleasure of participating in the reenactment in a variety of ways over the years, serving with the Union infantry, artillery and dismounted cavalry, all of which helped me to gain new perspectives and deeper insights as to how the actual battle unfolded, and the things that our Civil War ancestors endured to help shape our nation into what it is today,鈥� he said.
Workman, who鈥檚 identified ancestors who fought on both sides of this war, said though he鈥檒l never know what it was really like for the soldiers in battle, participating in the reenactment gives him a keener perspective, unlike watching a movie or documentary or reading about it in a book.
鈥淔eeling the heavy wool uniforms, tasting black powder between your teeth as you fumble a cartridge between your fingers rushing to reload your musket as you strain to hear the orders being shouted by the officers over the crackle of musket fire and the booming of cannon add a perspective that you can only gain by participating in an event,鈥� he said.
Jones said during the Civil War vendors, or 鈥渟utlers鈥� as they鈥檙e known, followed armies around selling goods, and their modern counterparts will be on hand selling period-specific items such as uniforms and other clothing, knives and antique art. When not participating in mock battle, reenactors will be on hand in their campsite areas to chat.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like a living history thing so you get to walk though and see what camp life was like,鈥� Jones said.
Food vendors will be onsite, and the museum and visitor center will be open.
Battle of Richmond Visitor Center Curator Phillip Seyfrit, whose great-grandfather was a private in the Union army, said witnessing a reenactment is really spectacular.
鈥淭his year you鈥檙e going to be able to, of course, experience the roar of the cannons and the hooves of the cavalry and the movements of the infantry,鈥� he said.
Seyfrit said there will also be a charitable element to this year鈥檚 event 鈥� both days a sock drive will be held to aid flood victims in eastern 福利姬视频. Attendees are asked to bring in new, prepackaged socks that can be dropped off at the information desk, at the visitor center or Mt. Zion Christian Church.
No dogs or other pets are allowed onsite except for service dogs, though Jones forewarns that loud cannon fire may startle them. He advises visitors to bring water and sunscreen as needed.
Workman encourages all to come experience the days鈥� events for themselves and gain a greater understanding of what troops went through and about our country鈥檚 roots.
鈥淚t is a family-friendly event, and we strongly encourage the entire family to come out and to go through the camps, speak with the reenactors, browse the sutlers and the vendors, and take in a period baseball game or church service,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is an interaction between people at events like these that you really can鈥檛 find anywhere else.鈥�
While in Richmond, Jones said visitors can dine in the wide variety of restaurants here, Fort Boonesborough and Whitehall State Historic Site will be open, as well as Chenault Vineyards and Dreaming Creek Brewery.
If you鈥檙e not able to attend the reenactment and related activities, the Battle of Richmond Visitor Center is open on weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Battlefield Park is open daily 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Visit www.battleofrichmond.com for more information about this event.
Info:
What: Battle of Richmond Reenactment
Where: Battlefield Park at Pleasant View, 1546 Battlefield Memorial Hwy., Richmond, KY
When: Aug. 27-28, 2022. Park open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Battle reenactment is at 2 p.m., vendors and events each day including 10:30 a.m. Saturday鈥檚 vintage baseball game.
Cost: $10 parking fee, admission is otherwise free.
