Richard Napoleon Batchelder (1832-1901)

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, Medal of Honor Recipient. He entered the Civil War as 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster for the 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. His skills as quartermaster brought him to the attention to his superiors, and he was promoted up to Lieutenant Colonel and named the Chief Quartermaster for the Army of the Potomac's II Corps. During the Fall 1863 Mine Run Campaign, supply wagons under his command were attacked by Confederate troops. Over the period of two days October 13 to 15, 1863) he led a running battle between Catlett and Fairfax Stations, Virginia that ultimately resulted driving off the Rebels and the preservation of the supplies. His bravery and leadership during this action would see him be awarded the CMOH 32 years later. He eventually would be promoted to Colonel and Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for "faithful and meritorious services during the war". On April 9, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Regular Army for "efficiency in the discharge of his duties as Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac". However, his Regular Army brevet was not commissioned, and wasn't confirmed by the US Senate until March 3, 1869, nearly 4 years after it was first issued. After the end of the conflict he remained in the Regular Army Quartermasters Corps, eventually rising to Brigadier General and Quartermaster General before retiring in 1896. His citation reads "Being ordered to move his trains by a continuous day and night march, and without the usual military escort, armed his teamsters and personally commanded them, successfully fighting against heavy odds and bringing his trains through without the loss of a wagon". His Medal was issued on March 20, 1895.

Bio by: RPD2