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Major General Israel B. Richardson Mortally Wounded at Antietam CDV Photograph

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:180.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
Major General Israel B. Richardson Mortally Wounded at Antietam CDV Photograph
Civil War CDVs
Major General Israel B. Richardson Mortally Wounded at Antietam Civil War Period Carte de Visite Photograph
c. 1862 Civil War Period, Carte de Visite Photograph of Union Major General Israel B. Richardson (1815-1862), Nicknamed "Fighting Dick", who was Mortally Wounded at Antietam, Very Fine.
c. 1862 Civil War Period, Carte de Visite Photograph, measuring 2.5” x 4”, no backstamp, his name written by a prior collector in pencil on the lower mount. Image shows a bust portrait of General Richardson facing left. Richardson was mortally wounded at the battle of Antietam and died a short time later due to infection. Some scattered slight foxing along left edge with overall good contrast to the photograph. Scarce.
Israel Bush Richardson (December 26, 1815 – November 3, 1862) was a United States Army officer during the Mexican-American War and American Civil War, where he was a major general in the Union Army. Nicknamed "Fighting Dick" for his prowess on the battlefield, he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland.

When the Civil War broke out, Richardson was still farming in Michigan. He enlisted in the Union Army and recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Infantry. He married Fannie Travor on May 18, 1861, in Wayne County, Michigan. When he reported with his regiment in Washington, D.C., General Winfield Scott greeted him with "I'm glad to have my 'Fighting Dick' with me again".

Richardson, promoted to colonel on May 25, 1861, was assigned command of the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, in the newly organized army of Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell. His brigade saw limited action at the First Battle of Bull Run near Blackburn's Ford, and in covering the subsequent Federal withdrawal to Washington. He was promoted to brigadier general, ranking from May 17, 1861.

He commanded several brigades in the Army of the Potomac and then the 1st Division of the II Corps during the Peninsula Campaign in mid-1862. He was involved in the fighting at the battles of Yorktown, Seven Pines, and the Seven Days. He was particularly distinguished in sharp fighting near the Chickahominy River. Richardson was promoted to major general after the Seven Days Battles. His division was stationed in Washington D.C. during the Second Battle of Bull Run and did not participate in that engagement.

Richardson's 1st Division played a key role during the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, attacking Confederate positions in the center of the Sunken Road in support of the 3rd Division of Maj. Gen. William H. French.

After stubborn fighting, by 1:00 p.m., Richardson had gained control of the high ground in front of the apex of the defensive line, and his men enfiladed the remaining defenders in the road, which would gain the nickname "Bloody Lane" for the carnage. Richardson pushed forward beyond the road and was directing the fire of his artillery and organizing another attack when he was struck by a shell fragment.

Carried to the rear, Richardson was treated at a field hospital. His wound was not considered life-threatening, and he was given a room in Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's headquarters, the Pry House.

President Abraham Lincoln paid his respects to the wounded Richardson during a visit to the battlefield in October. However, infection set in, and then pneumonia, which claimed the life of the popular general in early November. He was among six generals to be killed or mortally wounded at Antietam.