RICHARDSON, ISRAEL BUSH "FIGHTING DICK"

The important career spanning archive of letters, documents, and memoir of the notable Union General Israel "Fighting Dick" Richardson, offering hundreds of pages from his time at West Point, Texas, Florida, various Territories, and the Civil War through his death at Antietam in 1862. Various places, 1834-1862 and later, comprising approximately 120 letters and documents, and the prepared memoir of General Israel Bush Richardson (1815-1862). Housed in six binders and a few loose folders, the archive comprises hundreds of autograph pages in Richardson's and various clerical hands, includes some fair copies of letters made by family members, and features several criss-cross letters, almost all with modern typed transcriptions. Present are also some ancillary materials relating to family members and a contemporary book on the subject. Very well preserved and organized overall but with usual wear including folds, stains, rough openings, a few signatures excised, etc. Provenance: The D. Duffy Lane Collection

An important archive of a Civil War Major General, spanning his career from West Point to Florida to Mexico to the Civil War. A soldier's soldier, Richardson's letters are full of detail, written with precision and clarity, and offer meaningful insights to the action he saw and military life he lived. Such archives are rare at auction.

The archive comprises:

West Point, 1834-1841

The archive opens with a letter dated January 1834 signed by Lewis Cass regarding Richardson's application to the Military Academy at West Point. Born near Burlington, Vermont, and named for his Revolutionary ancestor Israel Putnam (who was more likely a family friend than relation), upon acceptance to the Academy, between 1834 and 1841, Richardson wrote approximately 30 autograph letters of some length to his family about his time at West Point. He offers much on the daily life of cadets and the officers who educate them. But even in this early phase, Richardson's letters are serious and point to his future as a soldier, as evidenced by this portion of a February 1837 letter: "The Regt. of 2nd Dragoons is to make a tour of the Rocky Mountains in the spring and to go farther west than any other troops have gone before ... There was an oration delivered here last month by Lieut. Atwood upon the subject of the battle at the Wythlacoochee. He says there have been more Cadets killed in the Florida War than in all since the institution was established..." Richardson also notes in November of 1839 that "There is no news except the trouble existing between the Governors of Iowa and Missouri. They say there will be trouble with the Cherokee Indians. The tribe of Cherokee consists of 30 thousand men."

Second Seminole War, 1841-1844

About the time of his graduation from West Point, by mid-1841, much of Richardson's family had migrated west to Pontiac, Michigan. In September 1841, Richardson writes his sister that "I have received a lieutenant appointment in the 3rd infantry and am ordered to Col. Bankhead at the Fort Columbus on Governor's Island, N.Y. Harbor, and to go from there to Fort Stansbury in Florida by the way of Tallahassee." This represents Richardson's entry to life as a soldier in the field in the Second Seminole War. The next letter, dated New Year's Eve 1841 from Fort Stansbury, Richardson writes a partially criss-cross letter offering much description of the fort and movements during this late period of the Seminole War and in particular notes that "I am very severe with drunken soldiers" and relays the story of a drunken soldier whose whiskey he poured on the ground and "kept in the stocks" for a month as "there is no use in punishing soldiers lightly. If so, they only laugh at it afterwards, as for lying, they will lie as far as a dog can trot..." Relocated to Charles Ferry in July 1842, Richardson describes concerns over the Charles family's supply of the Indians with provisions and ammunition. 1843 opens with a long 4-page criss-cross letter where Richardson describes his scouting mission along Apalachicola River and offers a description of the town and Fort Preston before a long and important description of the removal of Pascofa and his Band from Florida. Richardson describes the "old Chief of the hostiles, named Pas-co-fa" who related himself to messengers ("two friendly Creek Indians") as "very willing to give himself up with his people, that the war had continued long enough, that he was heartily tired of it; that he was a man of but few words, that he had but one talk to make. That he would hold this talk at Tampa whether he would go south of the line in East Fla., or go to Arkansas with all his people." After negotiations, it was decided that Pascofa and fifty of his men would soon depart and they were provided provisions, the Native Americans even named several of the Americans, including Richardson who was named "The Tall Chief." After this episode, Richardson writes "Thus has ended this short and fortunate expedition ... When it is remembered how that this band of Creek Indians has stood out against the troops and volunteer militia for the whole seven years of the Florida wars, and has kept the whole in a state of alarm by murdering and plundering the inhabitants, its result will not be considered among the least fortunate achievements of the Florida Campaigns."

Mexican War, 1845-1848

Following a visit to Michigan and Vermont in late 1844 and early 1845, the archive continues with Richardson arriving at New Orleans in July 1845 destined for Corpus Christi Bay as the period of his Mexican War service begins: "This bay is the mouth of the river Nueces - which river is the first one east and north of the Rio Grande. The country between the rivers is the disputed territory and the Mexicans are said to be occupying it in force." By September, writing from Corpus Christi Bay, Richardson is aware that Mexico has declared war on the United States. For this, fortifications were ordered erected, additional troops were expected to arrive, and Richardson describes the necessary protections for the army to move between the Rio Grande and Nueces rivers. Luckily, as Richardson found more time to write before the dispatch ship departed, this letter is extended and features a large-two, page manuscript map showing the islands and coast from Corpus Christi Bay to Matagorda Island, and Richardson informs his family that "the whole of the troops intended for the present occupation are now here..." On October 10th, 1845, Richardson offers "some account of Texas" and proceeds to give an account of the border disputes, cotton and sugar plantations, etc., but notes that settlement in the islands would have been sooner "but being so near to Mexico, its people would have to continually fear attack from that country, and the neighboring Comanche Indians, who live in the prairies of the mountains and number in this southwestern half of Texas alone, some 20,000 mounted warriors." A true rarity present in this period is a long printed broadside for a February 1846 performance of the Army Theatre Corpus Christi, promising an appearance of the "unrivaled band of Ethiopian Serenaders."

War preparations continued throughout early 1846, and detailed news of arriving ships, planned routes inland, and the movement of troops and armament is provided. By March 29th, Richardson's division is moved inland and prepared to meet resistance. By May "hostilities have commenced between this country and Mexico" and describes much of the action around Matamoras, ending with "our troops are all in fine spirits and eager to meet the enemy" and days later, in a letter provided in an early fair copy only, Richardson reports having met and "completely routed his army ... Not a Mexican remains on this side of the Rio Grande. They have had a lesson they will long remember." From Camp Victory, on May 11, 1846, Richardson provides a longer description of the Battle of Palo Alto that had occurred on the 9th and also provides a fair copy of General Francisco Mejia's order of the Mexican advance discovered on the battlefield. From here, Richardson's division moves towards Monterey and several letters describe the battle and capitulation of the Mexicans there, while two of these are provided in fair copy only, a remarkable twelve-page letter in Richardson's hand dated October 7th, 1846 relates the details of the campaign. A series of long letters starting in early 1847 describes the build up and siege of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo and by January 1848, Richardson is writing his father from Mexico City "I suppose you get all the reports of the battles in the papers; you will probably see my name mentioned in several of them with distinction ... I have been recommended for Brevet [Captain] for Cerro Gordo to the government in Washington ... there is no doubt but I should get it ... If I live, I shall soon be a full Capt."

In 1851, Richardson achieved the rank of Captain in the prestigious 3rd U.S. Infantry, the oldest Regiment in the U.S. Army, first organized in 1784. Known today as the "Old Guard," the regiment's mission is to conduct memorial affairs to honor fallen comrades, including the permanent guard and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Manuscript Memoir "Twelve Years Service in the U.S. Army by Late Captain and Brevet Major I.B. Richardson, U.S. Army."

A remarkable 327-page manuscript likely written over an extended period as several varying stationeries are employed and the hand changes over time, although the earlier portion of the manuscript is believed to be at least mostly in Richardson's hand and perhaps his wife took dictation on the balance. The manuscript provides Richardson's long narrative starting at West Point, moving through the Seminole War and the Mexican War, and providing copies of many General Orders, etc. Some wear and possible hiatuses in pages. A remarkably rare and thorough memoir given Richardson's death in war in 1862. and A full typed transcription is provided.

Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas, 1849-1855

Later that year, from Pascagoula, Mississippi, Richardson writes home that he has been made Brevet Major for his actions that August at Contreras and Churubusco, and letters from 1849 are written from Camp on the San Pedro near San Antonio, Texas, and by 1851 he is in New York preparing to head out for New Mexico with new recruits. A ten-page manuscript likely in the hand of Richardson's sister Marcella describes the wagon train leaving Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and here we first learn of Richardson's wife Rita, whom he had married at El Paso in August 1850. Unfortunately, Rita died in childbirth and their son Theodore Virginius Richardson died six months later; Richardson acknowledges the "melancholy contents" of a group of letters that reached him at Fort Webster in early 1852. Marcella stayed in El Paso at Fort Mission. In July of 1855, Richardson writes from the recently named Fort Riley on The Little Arkansas in what was soon known as Bloody Kansas. At the time of the July letter, those expanding the fort have been struck by a cholera epidemic which killed many and that a scouting party located "600 Comanche are awaiting to attach us on the Arkansas." In the next letter, Richardson describes a fire that nearly burned his entire camp and left them vulnerable to Indian attack and the numbers are now raised to 2500 Comanche and 1500 Kioways, writing "The Comanche being at war with us in Texas, and the Kioways always breaking out whenever there is a good opportunity." But now twenty years since leaving for West Point, Richardson admits tiring of Army life: "To tell the truth, I live worse on this trip than I ever did in my life before ... I hope to quit the Army by next spring." Richardson did in fact retire in September 1855, becoming a farmer in Michigan.

Civil War, 1861-1862

With the arrival of the rebellion, Richardson organized and was made Colonel of the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, also known as "Richardson's Brigade." By June 1861, Richardson's Brigade has arrived at Fort Winfield Scott in Arlington, Virginia, and reports of dining with General Scott, then head of the U.S. Army (it was Scott who gave Richardson the moniker "Fighting Dick" for his bravery in Mexico). War imminent, Richardson writes "Our army consists of ... 70,000 men in fortified positions; that of the enemy at Manassas 30,000 out of provisions and intending to attack us ... Gen. Scott wishes an attack and thinks he can finish them if they make one." Days before the First Battle of Bull Run, Richardson is put in command of 4000 men, combining various regiments belonging to General Tyler's Division of General McDowell's Corp. He then gives a brief description of the "Vienna Affair" in which a train of Union soldiers under the command of Brigadier General Robert Schenk, considered by many a politician ill-prepared to command troops, was attacked with several killed prompting Richardson to write "So much as to Brigadier Generals of the modern appointments; who were good country lawyers at home, but make indifferent warriors in the field. Fortunately, the Govt. puts little confidence in them and the Comdg. Gen. keeps their command as low as possible ..." Richardson also mentions asking General Scott if with so many Brigadier Generals being made, would he be superseded, to which Scott told him he "would take particular care of his West Point friends."

On 19 July, Richardson provided a manuscript report of reconnaissance and early action at Bull Run to Brigadier General Tyler, and his retained copy is present. An important document, Richardson ends with "The enemy probably lost as many or more than ourselves, judging from the number of ambulances which we saw this morning..." After the battle, he describes his brigade's retreat to Centreville and notes the arrival of General McClellan to support Scott, and writes "we now have only two heads instead of a dozen. I feel we shall be beaten every time we shall fight unless we get a new set of regimental officers through the army." He also mentions the death of his friend Capt. Bee of the Confederate Army and in the next letter discusses the court martial of Colonel Miles for drunkenness at First Bull Run, a case in which Richardson was prosecutor, having had to assume command of Miles' soldiers during the retreat. The result of the court martial and other news consumes letters through the fall and in November 1861, Richardson wrote a descriptive letter regarding the movement of Union troops into the South by water to secure the Southern ports of Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, and New Orleans and also discusses the amounts of troops needed to protect Washington and Baltimore. Richardson writes that "The President is a great friend of mine, says I am honest and faithful, and tells people that if there is to be any fighting done he expects me to be among the first - I go to call upon him occasionally, and he is always ready to see me notwithstanding the number of office seekers."

Entering 1862, Richardson is optimistic that with the Peninsula Campaign, "if the present movements are successful, the war must end in a few months. Gens. Buell & Halleck are advancing with some two hundred thousand men towards the railroads leading from Northern Alabama to Manassas..." Writing following the Battle of Fair Oaks in June 1862, Richardson laments not cutting off the enemy while in retreat and suggests that with a large corps of additional troops Richmond might have been able to be taken but "it will now be more than six weeks before we get into Richmond, when if we had 30,000 more troops we might have ended the war." Richardson was promoted to Major General on July 4th, 1862.

Knowing what is to follow, Richardson's letter to his wife Fannie Traver, a Michigan woman he had married just before departing for the Civil War, is particularly poignant. Richardson writes from Frederick City, Maryland on September 14th, 1862, days before the Battle of Antietam. He reports having followed a force of 60,000 Confederates there who then headed north towards Pennsylvania, where he notes "If they go there, we shall have them in front and rear, and they can never get back across the Potomac. I hear, while I am writing, a cannonade in the direction of Harper's Ferry, perhaps they are attacking our garrison there... Now it is time to end the war if the North turns out. The South are risking everything upon their army here which consists of 150,000 men.... My dear, it is now 6 in the morning and we march at 7..."

Major General Israel Bush Richardson was mortally wounded in the action along the Sunken Road also known as "Bloody Lane" during the Battle of Antietam. A shell fragment entered through his collar bone and lodged in his lung, not immediately considered a mortal wound, Richardson was carried to the back of the line and treated at a field hospital before moving to McClellan's headquarters at Pry House where he attempted to recover but infection set in. The weeks between Antietam and his death at Pry House on November 3rd, Abraham Lincoln personally visited Richardson and promised him to replace McClellan should he recover. Letters from Richardson's family report his deteriorating condition are present, including a letter from his wife. The letters from his family, whom Richardson had dutifully written for over 25 years, are poignant. Richardson was one of two Major Generals killed at Antietam and the highest-ranking member of the Union Army killed to that point.

Israel Bush "Fighting Dick" Richardson is a soldier's soldier from the generation that met at West Point, found success in Florida and Mexico, and fought brother against brother in the Civil War. Worthy of collector and institutional interest, the present archive offers the largest trove of papers known relating to this important and understudied American career soldier.

See: Jack C. Mason. The Life and Letters of Major General Israel B. Richardson, U.S. Army. Southern Illinois University Press, 2009. A hardcover copy of the book accompanies the lot (this the source of the portraits of Richardson).