I. B. Richardson Post #13

Harbor Springs, Emmett County, Michigan

Organized May 11, 1880

This Post was named to honor Major General Israel Bush Richardson of Pontiac. A Cadet of the Military Academy, July 1, 1836, he was Brevet Second Lieutenant of the Third Infantry on July 1, 1841. He joined his regiment on Oct. 30, 1841 and served with it in Florida in the campaign against the Seminole Indians to April 5, 1843. He was then at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. until April 27, 1844, and then on frontier duty at Camp Wilkins, La to July 7, 1845. He was then engaged in the military occupation of Texas and was in numerous battles ending with the capture of Mexico City on Sept. 13, 1847.

He was made Brevet Captain for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Contreras and Churubusco, Mexico on August 20, 1847. He was promoted to Major Sept. 13, 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico.

He was commissioned as Captain March 5, 1851 and served in a variety of posts in New Mexico until he resigned on Sept. 30, 1855, moving with his father’s family to Pontiac Michigan.

With the start of the Civil War he offered his services to the state and was commissioned Colonel of the 2nd Michigan Infantry on April 25, 1861.He led the regiment until promoted to Brigadier General on May 17, 1861. He was promoted to Major General, Volunteers on July 4, 1862. His services were in the defense of Washington and with the Army of the Potomac where he served in numerous battles.

He was mortally wounded in the battle of Antietam and died of wounds on Nov. 2, 1862. “Fighting Dick” Richardson is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Pontiac, Michigan.

The Post was mustered with 24 Charter Members.
.
The first Post Commander was Benjamin Whitaker who served as a Private in Company I, 14th New Hampshire Volunteers.

The Post met first in a school house, then the County Hall on 3rd Street, and several other halls in Harbor Springs. By 1890 their meeting place is noted as either Post Hall or G.A.R. Hall on Main Street. This hall still stands. It was a usual two story structure with retail rental space on the first floor and the meeting room on the second. It has been well maintained, remodeled and has a business occupying the first floor. It is on the corner of Gardener and Main streets.

The last Post Commander as well as the last member of the Post was Fred F. Main who served in Company F, 100th New York Infantry. A note was added on the Report of December 31, 1935;
“We are sending in report and Percapita [sic] Tax for Comrade Fred F. Main as he is feeble and blind and the only one remaining of this Post.
(Signed) Inazel Clark, W.R.C. Secretary”

The Post was disbanded on May 10, 1937, the date of Comrade Main’s death.