Richardson was quite a man, he served 3 times in the Civil War. Twice he was paid by neighbors to take their place, once he enlisted.
He carried his sword for years to ward off "Carpetbagger." He even used it to cut grass and weeds.
He rode in the war with General Lee and told stories about the battles. At one time he was captured by the Yankies, but got away.
He was rough and very protective of his family. He had a beard and from his pictures he was a very nice looking man.
Source: Mary Hazel Dawson, Denney Nov. 1997, Grand Daughter
Moccasin Rangers
DORSON, RICHARD S. - Co. G, 3rd VSL. Later served in Co. H, 19th VA Cav. Enl. Frankfort, WV, 3/20/63 (Clay Co., WV.4/1/63).
Company No. 3 was Captain Marshall Triplett's Company of Rangers. Governor Letcher appointed officers of this company on March 18, 1862. Triplett was taken prisoner in Greenbrier County in May 1862 and sent to Johnson's Island.
"Grandfather Richardson was a man among men. His middle name is spelled HENSLEY. He left his family and went to Virginia to fight in the war. He fought with General Lee in one of the first skirmishes to arise.
He enlisted 3 times, the first two he served with no pay, the third time he accepted money to join in another man's place. He fought until the end of the war, then went home to his wife and chidren."
"My father Meade told me one Grandfather Richardson was an outstanding, unusual individual and that one day he was seen cutting corn with his sword. Another time we had been travling by train an as we were climing off the train my Mother had two babies in her arms and some people were sitting off to one side laughing at her, my grandfather still having his rifle pulled it out and marched back and fourth chanting some disgraceful poem and frightened the low class away."
"My Father Meade lived in Eckle, just down the river from Clay, all the children were born there. Dad had the only Grocery Store in this tiny mining town. Dad said before I was born Grandfather Richardson lived with him for many years. One day when as the mine was blasting close to the store we were warned to stay inside. But Grandfather went out anyway, he said "I'm not afraid, during the war I had mini balls falling all around me."
Harold said "Mini balls were great Lead Balls, used in cannons"
"We had an "Outhouse" (outdoor toilet) on the hill which we used summer and winter. Grandfather started up the steps, it was winter and everything was covered with ice and snow, he slipped and fell, broke his hip. He refused to let us call a Doctor, he died within 2 years at age 93."
Source:
Harold Dawson, (son of Meade, Grandson of Richardson) Oct. 15, 1995.
The papers included on this page show Richardson was AWOL, and never received his pay..
I know at one point in time he was captured by the North, that may have been in September and October of 1864 when he was AWOL. However, I have found nothing saying he swore allegiance to the North.
