Davis M. Richards

Davis M. Richards
August 1838 – June 1, 1864
16th Michigan Infantry
Brady's Sharpshooters.


Enlisted in First company Sharpshooters, attached to Sixteenth Infantry, Dec. 12, 1861, at Detroit for 3 years, age 23.

Mustered Jan. 23, 1862. Joined regiment at Hall's Hill, Va., Feb 14 1862.

Missing in action at Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862. He was captured by the Rebels then paroled and sent to “Camp Banks” near Alexandria, Virginia. Eventually rejoined the 16th Michigan.

In December 1863, 294 members of the Sixteenth re-enlisted and the Regiment returned to Michigan on veteran furlough. It reassembled at Saginaw and on the 17th of Feb., 1864, joined its Brigade in the Army of the Potomac.

It is believed that this photo was taken during that furlough some three months before his death.


Killed in action at Bethesda Church, Va., June 1, 1864."