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Richard Heron AndersonA career US Army officer who fought in the Mexican War.
Date of Birth: 07.10.1821
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Richard H. Anderson: A Distinguished Military Career
- Frontier Service and Mexican-American War
- Post-War Service and the Civil War
Richard H. Anderson: A Distinguished Military Career
Early Life and EducationRichard H. Anderson was born in Borough House, High Hills of Santee, near Stateburg, Sumter County, South Carolina, on October 7, 1821. He was the son of Dr. William Wallace Anderson and Mary Jane McKenzie. His paternal grandfather, also named Richard Anderson, was a hero of the American Revolution.
Anderson entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1838. He graduated 40th in his class of 56 in 1842. Upon graduation, he received a brevet commission as a second lieutenant in the 1st Dragoon Regiment.
Frontier Service and Mexican-American War
After graduating from West Point, Anderson served at the Cavalry School of Practice in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1842. In 1843, he was assigned to the Western frontier, where he served garrison duty at Little Rock, Arkansas, Fort Gibson, and Fort Washita in Indian Territory. He was promoted to second lieutenant in 1844 and served at Fort Jesup, Louisiana, until 1845.
During the Mexican-American War, Anderson participated in the siege of Veracruz in March 1847. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Contreras on August 19, earning a brevet promotion to first lieutenant. He also fought at Molino del Rey on September 8 and the Battle for Mexico City on September 12-14. Following the war, he received a permanent promotion to first lieutenant on July 13, 1848.
Post-War Service and the Civil War
After the Mexican-American War, Anderson returned to Carlisle, where he served in 1849 and 1850. He was then ordered back to frontier duty until 1852. He served at various Texas forts, including Fort Graham in 1852, Fort McKavett in 1853-1854, San Antonio in 1854, and Fort McKavett again in 1855.
On March 3, 1855, he was promoted to captain. From 1855 to 1856, he served at Fort Riley, Kansas. He played a role in the "Bleeding Kansas" conflicts of 1856 and 1857. In 1858 and 1859, he participated in the Utah War. He was stationed at Fort Kearny from 1859 to 1861.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Anderson resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and joined the Confederate States Army. He was appointed a brigadier general in 1861 and rose to the rank of lieutenant general by 1864. Anderson fought in many major battles of the war, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. He was killed in action at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 27, 1864.
