Mortally wounded in the battle of Antietam, Maryland on September 17, 1862

From the personal collection of Surgeon & General Bernard John Dowling Irwin. Irwin has the distinct honor of being the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in U.S. military history by date of action, February 13, 1861

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(1815-62) Born in Fairfax, Vermont, he graduated in the celebrated West Point class of 1841 which produced 23 generals that fought in the Civil War. Richardson served as a second lieutenant in the Second Seminole Indian War in Florida, and he was promoted to first lieutenant on September 21, 1846. He distinguished himself during the Mexican War fighting under General Winfield Scott and earned the brevets of captain and major at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec and the nickname of, "Fighting Dick," which would stick with him throughout the rest of his military career. Living in Michigan when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Union Army, and recruited and organized the 2nd Michigan Infantry, and on May 25, 1861, Richardson was commissioned their colonel. When he reported with his regiment to Washington, D.C., General-in-Chief Winfield Scott greeted him with "I'm glad to have my "Fighting Dick" with me again." He was assigned command of the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, in the newly organized army of General Irvin McDowell, taking part in the 1st Bull Run campaign. He was promoted to brigadier general, to rank from May 17, 1861. He held brigade command in the Army of the Potomac, and then the 1st Division of the II Corps during the 1862 Virginia Peninsula Campaign fighting at the battles of Yorktown, Seven Pines, and the Seven Days. He was particularly distinguished in sharp fighting near the Chickahominy River, and was promoted to major general after the Seven Days Battles. General Richardson's 1st Division played a key role during the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, attacking the Confederate positions in the center of the Sunken Road in support of the 3rd Division of General William H. French. After stubborn fighting, by 1:00 pm, Richardson had gained control of the high ground in front of the apex of the defensive line, and his men enfiladed the remaining defenders in the road, which would gain the nickname "Bloody Lane" for the carnage. Richardson pushed forward beyond the road and was directing the fire of his artillery and organizing another attack when he was struck by a shell fragment. Carried to the rear, Richardson was treated at a field hospital. His wound was not considered life-threatening, and he was given a room in General George B. McClellan's headquarters, the Pry House. President Abraham Lincoln paid his respects to the wounded Richardson during a visit to the battlefield in October. However, infection set in, and then pneumonia, which claimed the life of the popular general on November 3, 1862. He was among six generals to be killed or mortally wounded at Antietam. His body was escorted to Detroit where large crowds lined the streets during his funeral procession to nearby Pontiac, where he was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. The corners of the mount are very slightly trimmed. Standing view of Richardson wearing his double breasted frock coat with shoulder strap visible and rank of colonel. He also wears an eagle sword belt plate with sash and is holding his sword in one hand and his slouch hat in the other. He poses in front of a large studio column. Back mark: E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Maj. Gen. I.B. Richardson, U.S.A., is written in period red ink on the front mount, and Irwin ID in period red and brown ink on the reverse, Maj. Genl. I.B. Richardson, U.S.A., Killed at Antietam, Md., May 6, 1864, at 47. Irwin specifically used red ink to identify all those generals in his collection who were killed during the war! This image came from the famous General B.J.D. Irwin album. Written at the bottom of the reverse is, Genl. B.J.D. Irwin album No. 69. Excellent view. Rare "one of a kind image" having come from the General Irwin album!