BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT, Ky. -- Twenty-five walkers braved the chilly April weather last Sunday afternoon, April 22, to learn about local Civil War history at the Madison County History Walk on Blue Grass Army Depot.
Phillip Seyfrit, historian for the Battle of Richmond Association, gave a historical presentation on the Civil War Battle of Richmond during the History Walk.
The Battle of Richmond took place on six different battlefields in the area, but some of the most intense fighting took place on the depot during the morning of August 30, 1862. The weather was sweltering hot, and it hadn't rained in Madison County for three months, said Seyfrit.
"There were as many casualties due to heat as due to lead," Seyfrit said.
During the battle, the Union troops lost between 5,500 to 6,000 of 7,000 soldiers. The Confederates only lost between 500-700 out of 7,000 soldiers. Many of the "lost" Union troops ran away or were put under parole at the courthouse in Richmond, Seyfrit said.
The Battle of Richmond was not a turning point during the Civil War as a whole, but it was the most decisive victory of one side over the other in a single battle, said Seyfrit.
"(It was) one of the most complete victories, for either side, of the Civil War," he said.
Sunday's History Walk was part of a community reading project with nine other local libraries called "One Book, One Bluegrass", said Christina Cornelison, adult programming coordinator for the Madison County Public Library. It also tied in with the library's recent emphasis on Civil War history, she said.
"A lot of people don't know (the battlefield's) here, I didn't know it was here until now," said Cornelison.
Bruce Bonar, a retired professor from Eastern Kentucky University, came to the Walk to learn more about local Civil War history. It was his first visit to Blue Grass Army Depot.
"I'm surprised by all the things that are here (on the depot)," said Bonar. "…When you think of the depot, you think, 'Oh, this place is where they store a lot of weapons,' but you don't think of everything else that comes with it."
During the last few years, the Battle of Richmond Association has built a strong working relationship with the depot to preserve the battlefield and to make sure the site is not off-limits to the public, said Seyfrit.
"It's been such a good relationship because the Army realizes the value of the history that's here," Seyfrit said.
Why hold a history walk to remember a battle that happened 150 years ago?
"Probably where you're standing (in Kroger) there was a little boy from Indiana, Ohio, maybe Kentucky, laying there, didn't have a tent…writing his sweetie at home, (on the) 28, 29 of August, in 1862," said Seyfrit. "The next day he marches off to battle right here in this field, and he loses his life. That's why we're here."
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