In my research on my great-great grandfather, David Felder Richardson, I found some interesting documents regarding his service in the Civil War. It’s not an uncommon story among men for that war regardless of whether they were fighting for the north or the south. His time in the Confederate States Army was very short and it seems he went home without losing anything but a few months away from home and a story to share.
Civil War records show that David F. Richardson enlisted in the Confederate States Army at Osceola, Missouri on 1 August 1862 for the period of the war. He was assigned to the 16th Missouri Infantry, Co. K, Capt. F. P. Bronaugh’s Company in Col. Caldwell’s Regiment.
The company muster roll for July 1 to August 31, 1862, but dated February 3, 1863 states that he was absent sick since January 4, 1863. The company muster roll for March and April 1863 states that he was absent sick near Van Buren, Arkansas since December 28, 1862. According to Wikipedia’s history of Van Buren, AR: On December 28, 1862, Union and Confederate forces clashed in and around Van Buren resulting in a defeat for Major-General T. C. Hindman, driving him south across the river with minimal casualties. Federal forces captured 100 prisoners, as stated in an official report by U. S. Major-General Samuel R. Curtis.
See also: <http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburenbattle4.html> (Battle of Van Buren, Confederate report and <http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburenbattle3.html> (Battle of Van Buren, Union Report).
The information as to Private Richardson’s condition and location seem confusing but is explained later in the records. The company muster roll for April 30 to Aug 30, 1863, remarks state that he deserted May 1, 1863, at Little Rock, Ark. Finally, a record called a Descriptive Roll of prisoners of war in custody of Provost Marshal General explains Pvt. Richardson’s absence and assumed desertion. The roll is from the Headquarters Army of the Frontier, Pro. Mar. Genl., Fayetteville, Ark, Jan. 10, 1863. Pvt. David F. Richardson was taken prisoner on January 3, 1863, on Boston Mountains, Ark. by Major _____ (not legible), Arkansas Cavalry. It states that Pvt. Richardson is age 32, 5 feet 11 inches tall, blue eyes, and brown hair.
The last Confederate service record found regarding Pvt. Richardson is the Statement of Prisoners delivered to the Commander of the Post of Mt. Vernon, Mo. dated Jan. 21, 1863. This is the statement in Pvt. Richardson’s own words:
David F. Richardson says “never took the oath; been in the Southern Army; enlisted about the last of August 1862 in Bronaugh’s Co., in Caldwell’s Regiment. Never been in a fight. Never been in guerrilla parties. Enlisted four miles below Fayetteville, Ark. Home is in St. Clair Co., Mo. Went out of the state with a man by the name of Radford. Was sick, the Army left him and he said he thought he would take care of himself. Don’t want to be exchanged. Is willing to take the oath of allegiance to the gov’t of the U. S. His desire is to go home and remain a loyal citizen.”
A little explanation regarding the above statement: "never took the oath" means he did not take the oath of allegiance to the gov't of the U. S. before he enlisted with the Confederate Army; not sure exactly what he meant when he said he "went out of the state with a man by the name of Radford" or why he included that in his statement - possibly someone in his company; "was sick, the Army left him..." - I think he is referring to himself and he became a prisoner after being left by the Army. There is only speculation as to what really happened.
I found some research papers in my aunt's genealogy papers which were written by Thomas Felder Richardson, grandson of David F. Richardson. Martha Ann Richardson Thorne, daughter of David and his first wife Ailcy H. Foster, was about eight years old when her father enlisted. When interviewed by Thomas Felder about her father's Civil War service she said that he delivered provisions to the Confederate Army. Another report (source unknown) states that while on maneuver with a Confederate unit he fell out on account of illness and was captured by the Federal forces. When interviewed by the Federal officers, he was released upon a promise that he would be a law-abiding citizen.
A little explanation regarding the above statement: "never took the oath" means he did not take the oath of allegiance to the gov't of the U. S. before he enlisted with the Confederate Army; not sure exactly what he meant when he said he "went out of the state with a man by the name of Radford" or why he included that in his statement - possibly someone in his company; "was sick, the Army left him..." - I think he is referring to himself and he became a prisoner after being left by the Army. There is only speculation as to what really happened.
I found some research papers in my aunt's genealogy papers which were written by Thomas Felder Richardson, grandson of David F. Richardson. Martha Ann Richardson Thorne, daughter of David and his first wife Ailcy H. Foster, was about eight years old when her father enlisted. When interviewed by Thomas Felder about her father's Civil War service she said that he delivered provisions to the Confederate Army. Another report (source unknown) states that while on maneuver with a Confederate unit he fell out on account of illness and was captured by the Federal forces. When interviewed by the Federal officers, he was released upon a promise that he would be a law-abiding citizen.
I must admit that when I first started reading the documents I was a little disappointed that he might be a deserter. I was hoping I would find that he had quite an adventure and fought with some great military leader in a well-known battle. Well, he wasn’t a hero and never even participated in the fight according to his own statement. I didn’t write much about the Battle of Van Buren but Major Hindman in the Confederate report states that his “forces are being reduced and continue to diminish in strength daily by desertions and a frightful increase of sickness, the latter caused by unprecedented hardships to which the men had been exposed, the former resulting principally, in my opinion, from the non-payment of the troops and the consequent sufferings of their families.” Both the Confederate and Union reports tell the real story - just from different perspectives.
These are most of the files in David F. Richardson's records. As you can see, they are quite difficult to read, especially his statement. I had to zoom in and out in order to transcribe it. If you are interested in seeing his records you can go to https://www.fold3.com/image/271/121630853.
Sources:
"Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Missouri", The National Archives.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com-The Battle of Van Buren, Arkansas.
<http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com
