Dick enlisted at age 25 in Company A, 5th Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., on August 16, 1862, at Clarkston, Michigan, for three years.
He was made 1st sergeant in May, 1864 and was killed while in action near Hanover Court at "Haw's Shop", Hanover, Virginia, May 28, 1864.
As to the battle which took place:
Due to the heavily wooded terrain, Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer had his Michigan Cavalry brigade dismount and deploy in a long, double-ranked line of battle, as if they were infantrymen. However, Custer inspired his men by staying mounted as he led them forward, waving his hat in full view of the enemy. Some of the relatively inexperienced South Carolina infantry mistook a Union shift in position for a retreat and charged after them, only to run into Custer's men, who captured 80 of the Confederates.
Forty one of the Union cavalrymen fell in the attack, as did Custer's horse, but their enthusiastic charge caused Hampton's men to withdraw.
Richard lost his life in that battle.
~ ~ ~
(Richard was probably named after his (step)grandfather Richard L. Hunt...)
He was made 1st sergeant in May, 1864 and was killed while in action near Hanover Court at "Haw's Shop", Hanover, Virginia, May 28, 1864.
As to the battle which took place:
Due to the heavily wooded terrain, Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer had his Michigan Cavalry brigade dismount and deploy in a long, double-ranked line of battle, as if they were infantrymen. However, Custer inspired his men by staying mounted as he led them forward, waving his hat in full view of the enemy. Some of the relatively inexperienced South Carolina infantry mistook a Union shift in position for a retreat and charged after them, only to run into Custer's men, who captured 80 of the Confederates.
Forty one of the Union cavalrymen fell in the attack, as did Custer's horse, but their enthusiastic charge caused Hampton's men to withdraw.
Richard lost his life in that battle.
~ ~ ~
(Richard was probably named after his (step)grandfather Richard L. Hunt...)
Dick enlisted at age 25 in Company A, 5th Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., on August 16, 1862, at Clarkston, Michigan, for three years.
He was made 1st sergeant in May, 1864 and was killed while in action near Hanover Court at "Haw's Shop", Hanover, Virginia, May 28, 1864.
As to the battle which took place:
Due to the heavily wooded terrain, Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer had his Michigan Cavalry brigade dismount and deploy in a long, double-ranked line of battle, as if they were infantrymen. However, Custer inspired his men by staying mounted as he led them forward, waving his hat in full view of the enemy. Some of the relatively inexperienced South Carolina infantry mistook a Union shift in position for a retreat and charged after them, only to run into Custer's men, who captured 80 of the Confederates.
Forty one of the Union cavalrymen fell in the attack, as did Custer's horse, but their enthusiastic charge caused Hampton's men to withdraw.
Richard lost his life in that battle.
~ ~ ~
(Richard was probably named after his (step)grandfather Richard L. Hunt...)
He was made 1st sergeant in May, 1864 and was killed while in action near Hanover Court at "Haw's Shop", Hanover, Virginia, May 28, 1864.
As to the battle which took place:
Due to the heavily wooded terrain, Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer had his Michigan Cavalry brigade dismount and deploy in a long, double-ranked line of battle, as if they were infantrymen. However, Custer inspired his men by staying mounted as he led them forward, waving his hat in full view of the enemy. Some of the relatively inexperienced South Carolina infantry mistook a Union shift in position for a retreat and charged after them, only to run into Custer's men, who captured 80 of the Confederates.
Forty one of the Union cavalrymen fell in the attack, as did Custer's horse, but their enthusiastic charge caused Hampton's men to withdraw.
Richard lost his life in that battle.
~ ~ ~
(Richard was probably named after his (step)grandfather Richard L. Hunt...)
Inscription
"WHITEHEAD" on base
"OUR DEAR
DICK
HE FELL FOR HIS
COUNTRY
May 28, 1864"
Gravesite Details
Lt. Richard H. "Dick" Whitehead, US, 5th Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav.; son of Almeron Weller Whitehead & Mary Ann (Mais) Whitehead; KIA in "Haw's Shop", VA battle on May 28, 1864
Family Members
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