2016 Fall Field Trip to Richmond Kentucky

Oct. 23, 2016

Phil Seyfrit pointing to the historic ravine used by Confederate forces to flank the Union defenders  saved by money from the Civil War Trust.

Photo and text courtesy of LCWRT Member John Davis

 The Louisville Civil War Round Table met at the historic Rogers House for our tour of the Richmond, Kentucky battlefield with guide Phil Seyfrit, battlefield historian and preservationist. The weather was perfect as  Phil took us to the ground where the August 29-30, 1862 battle took place and described in his own down home way what transpired here. His goal was to give us a big picture overview of what happened and he interjected lots of humor and interesting stories about the personalities that were involved. To further our understanding of the battle, he had us act out the battle by placing us in formations and moving us around to simulate the positions of the armies and how the battle unfolded. We learned that flanking movements were the key to the Confederate victory and time after time Kirby Smith’s troops were able to maneuver and launch overwhelming flank attacks that eventually sent Union forces fleeing from the field. The battle was the second largest Civil War battle in Kentucky and was one of the most decisive and complete Confederate victories of the war. We made the short journey over to White Hall, home of abolitionist Cassius Clay for a brief lecture by Phil about White Hall and the very interesting life of Clay. We ended our day by going to Hall’s on the River for a time of good food and fellowship at this historic site on the Kentucky River. Our thanks to Phil Seyfrit who gave us a great tour and entertained us all day long. He and other key individuals have done a fantastic job in helping preserve the Battle of Richmond sites and everyone in the Civil War community owes them a debt of gratitude for the work they have done and are continuing to do.