Israel Bush "Fighting Dick"
Richardson

Born:
December 26 1815, Fairfax VT

Died:
November 3 1862, Antietam MD

Pre-War Profession:
Graduated West Point 1841,
Seminole war, Mexican war,
frontier duty, resigned US Army
1855, farmer.

ISRAEL RICHARDSON
(1815-1862)

While commanding a division in his third war Israel Richardson lost his life. The native Vermonter had graduated from West Point in 1841. Posted to the infantry, he had fought the Seminoles in Florida and earned two brevets in Mexico. In 1855 he gave up his commission as Captain , 3rd Infantry, and settled on a Michigan farm. "Fighting Dick" reentered the military upon the outbreak of the Civil War and his assignments included: colonel 2nd. Michigan, brigade command, 4th brigade, 1st division, army of Northeastern Virginia, Brigadier General USV, commanding 1st division, 2nd corps , AOP and major general, USV to rank July 4, 1862. His brigade of Tyler's division was involved in limited action at 1st Bull Run and in covering the withdrawal. With the star of a brigadier he led a brigade around Washington and then took a division to the Peninisula where he saw action at Yorktown, Seven Pines, and the Seven Days. Awarded a second star at the close of the campaign, he took part in the Maryland campaign. At Antietam he attacked the enemy center and was wounded while supervising his artillery. At first it was not considered a dangerous wound but on November 3 he died while still at the Pry House, McClellan's headquarters.