RICHARDSON, WILLIAM R. (1840-24 Oct. 1873) Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for service during the CIVIL WAR, was born in Cleveland. However, he enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Cavalry at Akron, Ohio on 16, Aug. 1861. The company was mustered on 27 Aug. 1861 at Camp Wade on University Heights (the Tremont area) just south of the Cleveland boundary at that time. Private Richardson, with the Army of the Potomac in Virginia 1864-65, was captured by the Confederate Army at Sayler's Creek, Va on 6 April 1865. He escaped and returned to the union lines with important information on southern troop positions and approaches, and for this action he was awarded the Medal of Honor 7 April 1866.
He married Clara M. (last name unknown) 3 Oct. 1865 in Dover Canal, Ohio, and after leaving the service they lived in NEWBURGH for a time before moving to Massillon, Ohio where he and his wife raised four children. Richardson died of army-related consumption and was buried in Massillon City Cemetery.
Last Modified: 10 Jul 1997 05:11:38 PM- Related Article(s)