History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

at the battle of Antietam and died November 3, I862. A West Point
cadet from his native state of Vermont, upon his graduation from the
military academy he was breveted second lieutenant and assigned to the
Third United States Infantry. As first lieutenant, to which he was promoted in September, I846, he commanded his company in the Mexican
war (at Cerro Gordo), and was afterward breveted captain and major for
gallantry at Churubusco and Chapultepec. It was soon after the close of
the Mexican war that he moved to Oakland county, where the War of
the Rebellion found him.
GENERAL I. B. RICHARDSON
On the first call for volunteers General Richardson offered his services.
Governor Blair at once appointed him colonel of the Second Michigan
Infantry, and, when he arrived at Washington, General Scott fittingly
acknowledged his services in the Mexican war by assigning a brigade to
him. He was in the first battle of Bull Run; was soon after promoted
to the rank of brigadier general, and both his dash and judgment in the
peninsula campaign under McClellan were so conspicuous that he was
advanced to the major-generalship. As had been well stated: "At Antietam his zeal led him to do a colonel's work, and in leading a regiment
he received his mortal wound."
General Richardson's remains were brought home to Pontiac for
interment, and the funeral obsequies were performed November I, I862,
a little more than three weeks after the battle of Antietam at which the
splendid soldier received his death wound. At the courthouse the dead
general lay shrouded in the colors to which he had sworn fealty in boyhood and which he had so faithfully and ably defended in two wars.
Detachments from the military organizations then in the state were in
attendance, including the Detroit Light Guards and Captain Daniel's
battery of light artillery. Rev. Mr. Eldridge, of the Fort Street Presbyterian church, Detroit, delivered the funeral oration; the procession to
Oak Hill cemetery was formed and commanded by General Henry D.
Terry, a companion in arms; and the remains of "Fighting Dick" were
laid to rest with the solemn ritual of the Episcopal church and the soldiers'
volley.
THE SECOND REGIMENT
The Second Regiment was under the immediate command of Colonel
O. M. Poe, in Richardson's brigade, participated in the engagement at
Blackburn's Ford and covered the retreat of the army at first Bull Run.
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run and Chantilly
followed; and in I863 it participated in Grant's Mississippi campaign,
being also with Burnside in east Tennessee and the defense of Knoxville.
In General Sherman's pursuit of Johnston it is credited with making one
of the most daring and gallant charges of the war, it being then commanded by Colonel Humphrey. The regiment also won bright laurels at
the siege of Knoxville by Longstreet in November, 1863. Its charge of
the 24th against a force of investing confederates was another notable
event of the war. Afterward the Second returned to the Army of the