Known CSA Veterans at Cedar Hill
Vicksburg, Mississippi

Not Forgotten

 

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Photos by Bryan Skipworth

Richardson, Richard, 1st Lt., Capt., Maj.,  12th Miss Inf., Co. E; Capt. H. H. Miller’s Co. (Vicksburg Sharpshooters); enrolled 24 Apr 1861, Vicksburg, by order of Gov. Pettus. He traveled 345 miles to Corinth for 10 May 1861 muster. He was wounded in the engagements before Richmond, Va., 26 Jun to 1 Jul 1862. On 1 May 1863, he was wounded and was admitted to Hospital No. 10, Richmond. From May 1863 and onwards, he was detailed in Richmond by the Secretary of War.... More below.
Pictured are the graves of Richard Richardson and his wife on the edge of Soldiers' Rest.

The east panel on the base of the Richardson grave marker.

 

 

Richard Richardson
Born in the
Parish of
St. Pancras Middlesex
England
Dec. 22, 1822
Died
March 23, 1877


Photo by Wayne McMaster
 

 

He served the Confederate
cause gallantly as Major of the
12 Mississippi Regiment, was disabled
at the Battle of Gaines Mill
near Richmond.

 

As soldier, citizen, and in the
church,
he was faithful
to every trust.

 

Richardson's  wife shares the monument with him.
 

Sarah E
Wife of
Richard Richardson
Died
Sept. 10, 1891

Gone but not forgotten.

The Richardson graves, showing the rails of his grave and the name plaque "Richardson," leaning against the base.

 

 

Above the plaque, on the monument, are the words
from "Abide with Me," by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte.
 

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord,
abide with me.


 


On 2 Jan 1864 in Richmond, he wrote a letter to the Rev. C. K. Marshall at the Spottswood Hotel, in which he told of his attempt to find a new position better suited to his situation: he has been wounded in service and is now without a suitable place or position. He has sacrificed on behalf of this struggle both property and health. He tells how, in seeking a position, he has written on 30 Jun 1863, “his Excellency the president,” and received a reply from Davis’s private secretary that he should apply for any position he might aspire. Richardson mentions to Dr. Marshall a few posts he might have liked to have had, including one filled by Mr. Sthreshly of Warren Co., Miss. Richardson adds, “I know that Mr. Davis never forgets one of his soldiers and feel sure that I will yet receive some appointment that will enable me to live pecuniarily as well as physically until I shall again be able to take the field for I still have hopes of regaining my voice, especially if I could get my general health and strength restored. I therefore beg to say to you that since my base of supplies is cut off by the fall of Vicksburg, your kind pecuniary assistance will be very acceptable to me.”

The officers of the 12th Miss. Regt. on 24 May 1863 also wrote President Davis on behalf of Capt. Richardson.

Head Quarters 12th Miss. Regt.
24 May 1863

To his Excellency
Jefferson Davis
President of Confederate States

We the undersigned Officers of the 12th Miss. Regt. in view of Capt. Rich Richardson of this Regiment, being compelled to tender his resignation on account of physical inability to perform the duties of his office in the field, from effect of wounds received while gallantly acting Lieut. Col. of this Regt. at the battle of Gains Mills fought Friday evening, June 27, 1862, deem it nothing but an act of justice on our part to tender him in this manner our regret at the circumstances which compel him to sever his connection with us and with the Regiment.

The untiring zeal and energy always manifested in the discharge of every duty emcumbent upon him as Lieutenant and Captain and his self-sacrificing devotion to our glorious cause elicits our highest mede [meed] of praise. Always at his post and possessed of every accomplishment a gentleman and soldier could desire, we deeply regret his loss. His gallant conduct on the blood-stained fields of “Seven Pines, “Ellisons Mills” and “Gaines Mill” will ever be remembered with pride by his brother officers and we unhesitatively recommend him as worthy and qualified to fill any position that may be tendered him, and we respectfully ask that he be assigned to some duty suitable to his present condition that the country may not lose the services of one of its most worthy, accomplished and gallant officers.

We are very respectfully your obt. [obedient] servants

(Signed by all the officers present with the Regt.)

 

Capt. Richardson is a townsman of mine, and from my long acquaintance, I can fully recommend him as a most worthy, industrious and honorable gentleman, and nothing would give more pleasure to his fellow citizens of Vicksburg than the knowledge that his great suffering and many sacrifices in our cause has been in some measure rewarded.

(Signed) A. H. Harris Col.
19th Regt. Miss. Vols.

 

Capt. Richardson I have known for a long time, he is a gallant officer and perfect gentleman fully capable to fill any position to which he may be assigned and I am confident that his friends in Vicksburg as well as in the army, would be gratified to hear of his being assigned to some position which his present state of health will permit him to fill.

(Signed) D. N. Moody Maj
21st Reg. Miss. Vols.
Image at fold3.com/image/20/77852783/

 

On 25 Apr 1864, he signed a document as Maj. Rich Richardson.

On 24 Jun 1864 was assigned command of the post at Enterprise, in addition to his duties as Enrolling Officer for the 6th Congressional District at Enterprise. On 21 Jul 1864, he is relieved from these duties and sent to Brookhaven to establish a camp of instruction.

On 14 May 1865 at Jackson, he signed a parole of honor. His parole is not at this date included with his papers on fold3.com.

See his record at
fold3.com/image/20/77852634/

 

Update June 2019

 

This is the grave marker of Richard Richardson in June 2019 after a storm had caused a tree branch to knock the obelisk from the pedestal. The fall broke the obelisk in half.

Sadly, a job for the cemetery repairman.

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