Confederate General Kirby Smith and Braxton Bragg believed that Kentucky's neutrality had given it no guarantees from the Union and the Confederate raid there would bring Kentucky into the Confederacy.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith graduated from West Point in 1845. Smith was ranked 25th in a graduating class of cadets numbering 41. Smith was instrumental in Confederate battles in the Western Theater. He and General Braxton Bragg led a raid into Kentucky in 1862. Kirby served in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky.
While Confederate General Robert E. Lee was engaged in the Second Battle of Bull Run, Confederate General Kirby Smith entered Kentucky from Tennessee. He surprised and captured a group of Union recruits at Richmond, Kentucky.
On August 30,1862, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith defeated a Union army under General William Nelson, near Richmond (Kentucky). It was a decisive Confederate victory: the Federal losses were 206 killed, 844 wounded and 4,303 prisoners, those of the Confederates 78 killed, 372 wounded and 1 missing.
Confederate General Braxton Bragg's plans were to outflank the left wing of the front held by Union General Buell and invade the Kentucky, starting a general offensive along the whole front from Knoxville up to Corinth . In detail: CSA Gen Kirby-Smith had to aim immediately towards the Kentucky; Bragg would have followed him with the Whole CSA Army of Mississippi, while the Generals Price and Van Dorn, starting from Mississippi had to attack the western Tennessee, in order to engage and if possible defeat Grant. Once recaptured Tennessee and Kentucky, all the Confederate Armies, would converge on the exposed line of Ohio.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered his army in Galveston, Texas on June 2, 1865. He then traveled to Mexico and later Cuba in hopes of establishing a colony of Confederate exiles. He soon abandoned this idea and returned to the US. He later became the president of the University of Nashville. He died in 1893, being the last surviving full general of either army.
Confederate General Kirby Smith lowered the Confederate flag in the Trans-Mississippi on May 26, 1865.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith graduated from West Point in 1845. Smith was ranked 25th in a graduating class of cadets numbering 41. Smith was instrumental in Confederate battles in the Western Theater. He and General Braxton Bragg led a raid into Kentucky in 1862. Kirby served in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky.
While Confederate General Robert E. Lee was engaged in the Second Battle of Bull Run, Confederate General Kirby Smith entered Kentucky from Tennessee. He surprised and captured a group of Union recruits at Richmond, Kentucky.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith was a graduate of West Point's class of 1845. He ranked 26th in his class.
With Confederate General Kirby Smith located near Cincinnati, Ohio The city was in a panic. Businesses were closed and citizens helped build fortifications. The Union feared a Kentucky pro-Confederate movement among certain citizens so Union General Lew Wallace took command of Cincinnati and proclaimed martial law.
On August 30,1862, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith defeated a Union army under General William Nelson, near Richmond (Kentucky). It was a decisive Confederate victory: the Federal losses were 206 killed, 844 wounded and 4,303 prisoners, those of the Confederates 78 killed, 372 wounded and 1 missing.
Confederate generals Braxton Bragg and Kirby Smith moved into Northern territory in separate advances in the Summer of 1862. Bragg's advance moved north on a route parallel to Kirby Smith's but west of him and close to Union General Buell's army.
In the Western theater, on August 21, General Braxton Brag's army reached Chattanooga Tennessee. There he and prepared his forces to join the Confederate offensive started by General Kirby.
Near the end of August, 1862, Confederate General Kirby Smith led 6,000 infantry troops and 850 cavalry into Kentucky. There he was confronted by a Union force of approximately 6,000 troops. Brigadier General Patrick R. Cleburne led forces under his command successfully. The Union troops were routed and General Smith secured the area between Lexington, Kentucky and Richmond Kentucky. Kirby was able to capture Union supply wagons carrying ammunition, 10,000 small arms and artillery. Kirby remained in Lexington through September. He thus had complete control of central Kentucky. He also was able to conduct raids near Louisville. General Cleburne was wounded in the battle, however, his success in helping defeat Union troops earned him a promotion to Major General. Only one of two foreign born Confederates to receive such a promotion.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith graduated from West Point in 1842. He ranked sixteenth out of a graduating class of fifty six. Smith is best known for his battles in the Western Theater.
The battle of Richmond took place at Richmond, Virginia. :)
General in Chief Henry Wager Halleck had just arrived in Washington DC and he already was under pressure to solve the three Confederate offensives under way. General Lee had crossed into Maryland and Confederate General Kirby Smith had brought his army into Kentucky. At the same time, General Braxton Bragg was marching northward into Tennessee.