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Preservation Plan Executive summary Preservation, interpretation (EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is an executive summary of an extensive plan for the preservation and interpretation of the Battle of Richmond. The proposal was developed for the Madison County Historical Society by Joseph E. Brent and Marcia Campbell Brent of the firm Mudpuppy and Waterdog of Versailles, Ky. Funding for the project was provided by the American Battlefield Protection Program in October 2002.) By Joseph E. Brent, Marcia Campbell Brent This plan was created because the Battle of Richmond Association, BORA, a coalition of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Madison County Historical Society and the Madison County Civil War Round Table, felt that the time to save what remained of the battlefield was now. Funding for the plan was obtained through a grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program, an agency of the National Park Service. The plan was developed using a community consensus building approach, and therefore, includes a great deal of input from the citizens of Madison County. Two community meetings were held and citizen input was solicited at each meeting. The priorities that have been established in this plan are the direct result of input gathered at those community meetings. The Battle of Richmond resource belongs to the landowners who hold the property, but in a sense it belongs to everyone in Madison County and, indeed, the whole country. This battle was an important part of the American Civil War and it is a part of our collective heritage.
Brief History of the Battle of Richmond In the summer of 1862, as part of a two-pronged Confederate invasion of Kentucky, Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith's forces moved into Kentucky through the Cumberland Gap. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne led the advance with Col. John S. Scott's cavalry screening the Rebel approach. On Aug. 29, while moving north from Big Hill on the road to Richmond, Kentucky, Confederate cavalry encountered Union troopers and a brisk fight began. After noon, Union artillery and infantry joined the fight, forcing the Confederate cavalry to retreat back to Big Hill. At that time, Gen. Mahlon D. Manson, who commanded Union forces in the area, ordered his soldiers to march from Richmond to Rogersville (present day Terrill), toward the Rebels. That night, Manson informed his superior, Gen. William (Bull) Nelson, of his situation and he ordered another brigade to be ready to march in support when required. Kirby Smith ordered Cleburne to attack the Union soldiers the next morning and promised to hurry reinforcements. Cleburne started early, marching north from Big Hill and passing through Kingston, where he dispersed Union skirmishers, and approached Manson's battle line near Zion Church (Phase I). As the day progressed, additional troops joined both sides. Following an artillery duel, the battle began and, after a concerted Rebel attack on the Union right at Mt. Zion Church, the Yankees gave way. Retreating into Rogersville (present day Terrill), the Yankees made another futile stand, near present day Duncannon Road (Phase II). By now, Smith and Nelson had arrived and took command of their respective armies. Nelson rallied his troops for one last stand at the Richmond City Cemetery (Phase III) but they were once again routed by the Rebel troops. Nelson and some men escaped, but the Rebels captured approximately 4,000 Yankees. The way north was open.
The Richmond Battlefield There were three phases of the Battle of Richmond. Phase I was between Kingston and the Mt. Zion Church. Phase II was from Terrill to just north of the Duncannon Road and Phase III was from the Richmond Bypass to the Richmond Cemetery. What remains of the extant battlefield is a total of 1,377 acres of land from Phases I and II. This land should be protected. Of the 1,377 acres, 603 are on the Blue Grass Army Depot, the remainder is privately owned. In 1999, 190 acres of privately owned battlefield land was lost as a result of the development of Battlefield Estates and golf course. The land to be protected includes five historic structures: Woodlawn, Mt. Zion Church, Quarters 29/Rogers-Tribble House (currently on the Depot), Joseph Barnett-Herndon House, and the William Butner-Thomas Palmer House (the pro shop at the golf course). In addition to these structures, the Cox-Simpson House on Big Hill, just across the Jackson County line, should be considered part of the project, as should the site of the Merritt Jones "Grant's" Tavern, in Madison County.
Threats to the Battlefield The Richmond Battlefield is threatened by development in the form of single family residences that are being constructed both on US 421 and US 25. Industrial development centered on the Richmond Industrial Park is also a threat to the battlefield. The improvement of Duncannon Road, which includes the creation of an exit for I-75, will only add more pressure to develop the battlefield land.
Preserving the Battlefield Until the creation of this plan very little had been done to preserve this important battlefield. A monument was created and placed in the Richmond Cemetery in 1950. A driving tour was created in 1992. Perhaps the most significant event in the history of the battlefield's preservation also took place in 1992. This was the year that the congressionally mandated Civil War Sites Advisory Survey took place. This action identified the Richmond as one of the nation's principle battlefields. As a result, in 1993, 950 acres of the battlefield were listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These were all important events, but none of them preserved any land. BORA's efforts to create this plan changed all of that. The planning effort brought together a diverse group of people who had the common goal of preserving the battlefield. On Nov. 3, 2001 this goal became a reality. BORA and Robert Moody purchased 62 acres of the battlefield, including the Joseph Barnett-Herndon House. This action is the beginning of what will become the Richmond Battlefield Park. Now, land is available to interpret for the public. People will no longer just drive by the battlefield, now they can actually visit the land where a portion of the battle took place.
Battlefield Park Development To preserve the battlefield and develop a park will require a broad-based partnership and a long-term funding strategy. Partners important to the preservation of the battlefield and the development of the Richmond Battlefield Park include, but are not necessarily limited to:
•
Madison County Fiscal
Court All of these partners, and others, have an important role to play in the development of the Battlefield Park and the preservation of the battlefield resource. The land that has been purchased is within the jurisdiction of the county. This park will be the beginning of the Madison County Park system. This is an opportunity to get the three major political divisions within Madison County to work together on one project. The Battle of Richmond Park is but one part of the Richmond Battlefield Corridor, which stretches from the City of Richmond south down U.S. 421 all the way to Big Hill, a distance of 17 miles. The Battlefield Park will be the centerpiece, but there must be interpretation from Big Hill all the way to the Richmond City Cemetery. The battle was a running fight and to understand it one must visit the entire corridor. The corridor concept provides ample opportunity for government partnerships on the local, state and federal level. The state can help fund land purchase and interpretation through the Transportation Enhancement Program, TEA-21. The state may be able to provide direct appropriations from the legislature or funding through various agencies for interpretation, easements and trail development. The Federal Government has set aside $11 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund monies for the purchase of Civil War battlefield land. This money can help purchase additional land and help pay off that that has already been obtained. The local governments must help with park maintenance, staffing and promotion.
Land Protection Issues Nine hundred and fifty acres has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This plan recommends that another 427 acres be added to the land listed. This 1,377 acres is the "core land" that must be protected. This document contains a list of priority land parcels, including who owns the land and property valuation authority parcel number. The parcels are given a high, medium or low priority rating based on their historical significance and integrity. This is the land that must be protected if the Richmond Battlefield Park is to become a reality. This does not mean that all of the land must be owned outright, or that it will all be part of a publicly accessible park
Tools and Strategies There are many ways to protect land. The simplest way is to buy it. This is also the most expensive and it might not be the most expedient. Protecting land through deed convents, easements, is another way. TEA-21 funding can be used to purchase easements. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program or PACE provides funding for easements on land to keep it in agriculture.
Other options are:
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Bargain Sale -- The
purchase of land at a price that is below its fair market value, entitling
the seller to a state and federal tax deduction for a charitable
contribution.
Tourism and Interpretation The Battle of Richmond Driving Tour is already the most requested brochure at the Richmond Tourism and Main Street Department. This speaks of the allure of Civil War sites for the traveling public. Currently, the tour is just a numbered post driving tour with an accompanying audiocassette. Once the Battlefield Park is created and the corridor developed, Madison County will have a Civil War attraction that will draw even more visitors and, what's more, it will keep them in the area longer. If they stay longer, they will spend more money, helping to insure long-term ongoing economic development based on heritage tourism. The interpretation for the battlefield and the corridor should include:
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An improved driving tour with
interpretive
signage at each stop. By preserving the Richmond Battlefield, Madison County will garner valuable green space. As the county grows the availability of green space will become a quality of life issue. Twenty years ago no one could anticipate the extraordinary growth that has taken place in the county. If the issue of the preservation of the battlefield is not addressed it will not be here in another 20 years. Americans cherish their heritage, but we often take it for granted. Now is the time to take action. Now is the time to preserve the battlefield. If action is not taken, the next generation will only find the Battle of Richmond within the pages of a book. |