RICHMOND —
This spring, Madison County’s Battlefield Park will place its first state marker honoring federal (or Union) soldiers who fought there in the Battle of Richmond.
The marker will honor Union soldiers from Michigan who were stationed in Kentucky, according to Phillip Seyfrit, Madison County Historic Properties director.
Through the state of Michigan’s historical commission and the efforts of several Michigan and Kentucky Civil War groups, the five-by-four-foot bronze marker will be placed just south of Mt. Zion Church, near where improvised sections of Batteries F and G of the 1st Michigan Light Artillery were stationed, he said.
“This is indeed a great honor for us here at Richmond, especially in time for our (Battle of Richmond) 150th anniversary,” Seyfrit said.
Events and projects commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War are limited because of funding, he said, but the historical marker at Battlefield Park is one of the few Michigan is able to do.
“It just shows the level of commitment Madison County has shown to this important event in our unique Civil War history, is being recognized nationwide,” Seyfrit said.
On the morning of August 30, 1862, the Michigan Artillery fired what Seyfrit calls “the most significant shots of the battle,” which initiated the two-hour artillery duel between the two armies.
Under command of Kentucky native Major General William “Bull” Nelson, the Michigan Artillery was part of the Federal Army of Kentucky (which also included troops from Indiana and Ohio). They were pitted against the more organized Confederate forces led by Major General Edmund Kirby Smith, Seyfrit explained.
Most Civil War scholars regard the Battle of Richmond as one of the most complete victories one side had over the other during the entire war, he said.
At the end of the battle, the Union essentially ceased to exist, Seyfrit said, with more than 85 percent of its soldiers and materials destroyed. The Union’s remaining resources were scattered across the state as a result of the devastating defeat, according to Seyfrit.
“The Michigan artillery provided remarkable service here. But unfortunately, like the rest of the Union army, they were overrun and captured by the end of day,” he said.
The total cost for the marker project is approximately $4,000, raised by private donations and several Civil War roundtables from both Michigan and Kentucky.
There are similar Michigan markers in Murfreesboro/Stone’s River in Tennessee and at Perryville and Tebbs Bend in Kentucky.
The state of Texas placed a marker honoring their Civil War soldiers who fought at Richmond in 2009.
Madison County’s Historic Properties Division also is in contact with other states so that they can honor their contributions to the Battle of Richmond.
“Hopefully, we’ll have some other surprises in store over the next few years,” Seyfrit said.
An unveiling and dedication ceremony, sponsored by the Madison County Fiscal Court, the Battle of Richmond Association and the Madison County Civil War Roundtable, is planned for spring 2012 at Mt. Zion Church.
Crystal Wylie can be reached at cwylie@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, ext. 6696.
Local News
Related Photos
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Michigan historic marker at Perryville Battlefield, similiar to the four by five foot bronze marker that will be placed at Battlefield Park to commemorate the Union soldiers that fought in the Battle of Richmond. Photo courtesy of Madison County Historic Properties
First to be placed by Union state
Marker to honor Michigan soldiers in Battlefield Park
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