Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards
Birth name	Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards
Born	August 16, 1848 Easton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	September 28, 1935(1935-09-28) (aged 87) Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Buried	Charles Evans Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Union Army
Years of service	1864-1878
Rank	Captain
Commands held	Spanish–American War
Battles/wars	American Civil War Gettysburg campaign Battle of Gettysburg Spanish–American War Blockade of Cuba Bombardment of San Juan Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Awards	Medal of Honor
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards (born August 16, 1848 – died September 28, 1935) was an American military officer. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he became a Captain in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War.

Richards was part of the important Muhlenberg Family from Pennsylvania. This family was known for its members in politics, religion, and the military. Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania is named in their honor. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards was the grandson of Matthias Richards and great-grandson of Henry Muhlenberg. Henry Muhlenberg started this famous family line. Richards also wrote many books about history. His wife, Ella, came from the Van Leer family. They were early settlers in the Pennsylvania Colony and built a successful iron business.

Early Life and Education

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards moved to Reading, Pennsylvania as a child. He finished high school there in 1864. His father was a well-known local minister. His grandfather, Matthias Richards, was a judge and served in the United States House of Representatives. He also fought in the American Revolutionary War. Richards' grandmother was the youngest child of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg.

The Muhlenberg family home in Trappe, Pennsylvania, is a historic place. It has the remains of a pottery kiln from around 1720. This is the oldest known intact pottery kiln in Pennsylvania.

The Henry Melchior Muhlenberg House in Trappe

Throughout his life, Richards wrote for many publications. He focused on military history and American German history. He published several historical books about events and families from the American Revolutionary War. In 1910, Muhlenberg College gave him an honorary degree. This was to recognize his published historical works. Richards also served as a director for Pennsylvania's Council of National Defense. He joined the Four Minute Men during World War I. He later became the city treasurer of Lebanon from 1918 to 1920. Richards was also the president of the Pennsylvania German Society. On December 26, 1871, he married Ella Van Leer.

Military Service

When the Civil War began, Richards joined the Union Army in 1864. He was part of the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Richards fought in the entire Gettysburg campaign and the Battle of Gettysburg. He barely avoided being captured there. Later in 1864, he joined the 195th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served under General Sheridan.

After the Civil War, Richards graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He received his diploma from Ulysses S. Grant. He was then assigned to the USS Juniata (1862). During a voyage, his ship, the Juniata, found the German schooner Avance in trouble. Its crew was sick. Five sailors from the Juniata helped the Avance. They took it to São Jorge Island in the Cape Verde Islands. During the Spanish–American War, Richards directed naval service for Lebanon County. This was part of the Pennsylvania Council of National Defense.