USA Bio Israel B. Richardson

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Israel B. Richardson (b. 1815, d. 1862) Nicknamed “Fighting Dick” (earned during the Mexican War) and “Greasy Dick,” Israel Bush Richardson ascended to division command in the Army of Potomac before his career was ended at the Battle of Antietam. Richardson was commanding his forces against Bloody Lane, directing fire from an artillery battery, when he was mortally wounded by a ball from a spherical case shot fired from a Confederate battery. He was taken to Gen. McClellan’s Pry House headquarters, where he lingered for three weeks, dying Nov. 3, 1862. Richardson was born in Fairfax, Vermont, Dec. 26, 1815. A descendant of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in 1836. He graduated 38th in the Class of 1841. Richardson immediately saw action against the Seminoles in Florida. During the Mexican War, Richardson excelled. He earned brevets to captain and major for his gallantry at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. He served in the southwest until 1855, when he resigned to become a farmer in Pontiac, Michigan. When President Lincoln called for volunteer troops, Richardson returned to military service. He recruited and organized the Second Michigan Infantry and was mustered into Federal service as its colonel. At First Bull Run, Richardson commanded a brigade (Fourth Brigade of the First Division) which was slightly engaged covering Blackburn’s Ford. He brought his command off the field in good order during the rout and was promoted to brigadier general Aug. 9, 1861. Col. Dixon S. Miles threatened to arrest Richardson for disobedience during the battle. Richardson accused Miles of being drunk, a charge later upheld. An organizer and disciplinarian, Richardson was assigned to command a division of Sumner’s II Corps for the Peninsular Campaign. He tempered his hard edge with a casual approach toward military formality. One of his units was Meagher’s Irish Brigade and Richardson’s courage endeared him to the Irish of that unit. Richardson was promoted to major general to rank from July 4, 1862, and assigned to a division in Gen. Hooker’s I Corps after the evacuation of the Peninsula. Back with Sumner’s II Corps for the Maryland Campaign, Richardson commanded his division against the Confederates manning the South Mountain gaps. In the campaign’s major battle at Antietam Richardson’s division teamed with that of W.H. French to oppose the Confederates of D.H. Hill in the Bloody Lane. During that action, Richardson received his fatal wound. Sumner commended Richardson for his bravery at Antietam. He was buried in Pontiac, Michigan.

[Gil R.]

Thanks.

[Gil R.]

And here's Richardson:

Maj. Gen. Israel Bush Richardson (b. 1815, d. 1862). Nicknamed “Fighting Dick” (earned during the Mexican War) and “Greasy Dick,” (Where’d this name come from? Mexico, or something else? Heidler doesn’t say, and I’m afraid to use Google for that particular phrase.) Richardson ascended to division command in the Army of Potomac before his career was ended at the Battle of Antietam. Richardson was commanding his forces against the Confederate position in the “Bloody Lane,” directing fire from an artillery battery, when he was mortally wounded by a ball from a spherical case shot fired from a Confederate battery. He was taken to Gen. George B. McClellan’s Pry House headquarters, where he lingered for three weeks, dying on November 3, 1862. Richardson was born in Fairfax, Vermont, on December 26, 1815. A descendant of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in 1836, graduating 38th in the Class of 1841. Richardson immediately saw action against the Seminoles in Florida. During the Mexican War, he excelled, earning brevets to captain and major for his gallantry at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. Richardson served in the southwest until 1855, when he resigned to become a farmer in Pontiac, Michigan. When Pres. Abraham Lincoln called for volunteer troops, Richardson returned to military service. He recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Infantry and was mustered into Union service as its colonel. At the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, Richardson commanded the 4th Brigade in the 1st Division, which was slightly engaged covering Blackburn’s Ford. He brought his command off the field in good order during the Union rout and was promoted to brigadier general on August 9. (This promotion came despite some unpleasantness when Col. Dixon S. Miles threatened to arrest Richardson for disobedience during the battle, and Richardson accused Miles of being drunk, a charge later upheld.) An organizer and disciplinarian, Richardson was assigned to command a division of Edwin Sumner’s II Corps for the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. He tempered his hard edge with a casual approach toward military formality. One of his units was Meagher’s Irish Brigade, and Richardson’s courage endeared him to the Irish soldiers of that unit. Richardson was promoted to major general to rank from July 4, 1862, and assigned to a division in Gen. Joseph Hooker’s I Corps after the evacuation of the Peninsula. Back with Sumner’s II Corps for the Maryland Campaign, Richardson commanded his division against the Confederates manning the South Mountain gaps. In the campaign’s major battle at Antietam on September 17, Richardson’s division teamed with that of Gen. W.H. French to oppose the Confederates under Gen. D.H. Hill positioned in the Bloody Lane. After Richardson’s mortal wounding, Sumner commended him for his bravery. Richardson was buried in Pontiac, Michigan. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 5
Tactical: 4
Initiative: 4
Command: 5
Cavalry:

Start date: 14
Death date: 41

Teaches: Disciplined, Sustained Volley, Organized

[Battleline]

Warner cites Richardson earned his nicknames from his "utter disregard of danger."

[Gil R.]

I guess we just won't include an explanation of that nickname (and I'll resist the urge to make any jokes that allude to Joseph Hooker). Here's the finished bio:


Maj. Gen. Israel Bush Richardson (b. 1815, d. 1862). Nicknamed “Fighting Dick” (earned during the Mexican War) and “Greasy Dick,” Richardson ascended to division command in the Army of Potomac before his career was ended at the Battle of Antietam. Richardson was commanding his forces against the Confederate position in the “Bloody Lane,” directing fire from an artillery battery, when he was mortally wounded by a ball from a spherical case shot fired from a Confederate battery. He was taken to Gen. George B. McClellan’s Pry House headquarters, where he lingered for three weeks, dying on November 3, 1862. Richardson was born in Fairfax, Vermont, on December 26, 1815. A descendant of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in 1836, graduating 38th in the Class of 1841. Richardson immediately saw action against the Seminoles in Florida. During the Mexican War, he excelled, earning brevets to captain and major for his gallantry at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. Richardson served in the southwest until 1855, when he resigned to become a farmer in Pontiac, Michigan. When Pres. Abraham Lincoln called for volunteer troops, Richardson returned to military service. He recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Infantry and was mustered into Union service as its colonel. At the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, Richardson commanded the 4th Brigade in the 1st Division, which was slightly engaged covering Blackburn’s Ford. He brought his command off the field in good order during the Union rout and was promoted to brigadier general on August 9. (This promotion came despite some unpleasantness when Col. Dixon S. Miles threatened to arrest Richardson for disobedience during the battle, and Richardson accused Miles of being drunk, a charge later upheld.) An organizer and disciplinarian, Richardson was assigned to command a division of Edwin Sumner’s II Corps for the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. He tempered his hard edge with a casual approach toward military formality. One of his units was Meagher’s Irish Brigade, and Richardson’s courage endeared him to the Irish soldiers of that unit. Richardson was promoted to major general to rank from July 4, 1862, and assigned to a division in Gen. Joseph Hooker’s I Corps after the evacuation of the Peninsula. Back with Sumner’s II Corps for the Maryland Campaign, Richardson commanded his division against the Confederates manning the South Mountain gaps. In the campaign’s major battle at Antietam on September 17, Richardson’s division teamed with that of Gen. W.H. French to oppose the Confederates under Gen. D.H. Hill positioned in the Bloody Lane. After Richardson’s mortal wounding, Sumner commended him for his bravery. Richardson was buried in Pontiac, Michigan. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 5
Tactical: 4
Initiative: 4
Command: 5
Cavalry:

Start date: 14
Death date: 41

Teaches: Disciplined, Sustained Volley, Organized

[wwhitman]

Hey Gents -
Just going through these old generals bios, I came across this one where you two were pondering how Israel Richardson might have gotten his alternate nickname, "Greasy Dick".  In his chapter on First Manassas in "Fields of Honor", Edwin Bearss states that Richardson received this nickname due to his extremely swarthy complexion.  Bearss also states that Richardson was only referred to by this name behind his back, and that he no doubt would have preferred the nickname "Fighting Dick". 
 
Keep up the good work.
 
Will

[Gil R.]

Thanks, wwhitman. Battleline, if you want to make a change just please put any change in boldface.

[Battleline]

This should work:

Maj. Gen. Israel Bush Richardson (b. 1815, d. 1862). Nicknamed “Fighting Dick” (earned during the Mexican War) and “Greasy Dick” (reportedly by his troops and used only behind his back), Richardson ascended to division command in the Army of Potomac before his career was ended at the Battle of Antietam. Richardson was commanding his forces against the Confederate position in the “Bloody Lane,” directing fire from an artillery battery, when he was mortally wounded by a ball from a spherical case shot fired from a Confederate battery. He was taken to Gen. George B. McClellan’s Pry House headquarters, where he lingered for three weeks, dying on November 3, 1862. Richardson was born in Fairfax, Vermont, on December 26, 1815. A descendant of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in 1836, graduating 38th in the Class of 1841. Richardson immediately saw action against the Seminoles in Florida. During the Mexican War, he excelled, earning brevets to captain and major for his gallantry at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. Richardson served in the southwest until 1855, when he resigned to become a farmer in Pontiac, Michigan. When Pres. Abraham Lincoln called for volunteer troops, Richardson returned to military service. He recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Infantry and was mustered into Union service as its colonel. At the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, Richardson commanded the 4th Brigade in the 1st Division, which was slightly engaged covering Blackburn’s Ford. He brought his command off the field in good order during the Union rout and was promoted to brigadier general on August 9. (This promotion came despite some unpleasantness when Col. Dixon S. Miles threatened to arrest Richardson for disobedience during the battle, and Richardson accused Miles of being drunk, a charge later upheld.) An organizer and disciplinarian, Richardson was assigned to command a division of Edwin Sumner’s II Corps for the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. He tempered his hard edge with a casual approach toward military formality. One of his units was Meagher’s Irish Brigade, and Richardson’s courage endeared him to the Irish soldiers of that unit. Richardson was promoted to major general to rank from July 4, 1862, and assigned to a division in Gen. Joseph Hooker’s I Corps after the evacuation of the Peninsula. Back with Sumner’s II Corps for the Maryland Campaign, Richardson commanded his division against the Confederates manning the South Mountain gaps. In the campaign’s major battle at Antietam on September 17, Richardson’s division teamed with that of Gen. W.H. French to oppose the Confederates under Gen. D.H. Hill positioned in the Bloody Lane. After Richardson’s mortal wounding, Sumner commended him for his bravery. Richardson was buried in Pontiac, Michigan. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 5
Tactical: 4
Initiative: 4
Command: 5
Cavalry:

Start date: 14
Death date: 41

Teaches: Disciplined, Sustained Volley, Organized

[Gil R.]

Okay, I've noted the change, and will make it for the next patch.