Richard Coulter (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Coulter, Sr.
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| Born | October 1, 1827 Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
| Died | October 14, 1908 (aged 81) |
| Place of burial |
St. Clair Cemetery near Greensburg
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Major General |
| Unit | 2nd Pennsylvania Volunteers |
| Commands held | 11th Pennsylvania Infantry 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, I Corps 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, I Corps 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, V Corps 2nd Division, V Corps 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, V Corps 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, V Corps |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Richard Coulter, Sr. (born October 1, 1827 – died October 14, 1908) was an important figure in American history. He was a colonel and later a brevet brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a successful businessman and banker.
Contents
Early Life and First War Service
Richard Coulter, Sr. was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His father, Eli Coulter Jr., was a well-known businessman. Richard went to Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
After college in 1845, he started working in his uncle's law office. This was in Greensburg, where he learned about law.
Serving in the Mexican-American War
In 1847, Richard Coulter joined the Westmoreland Guards. This was a local group of soldiers. They became part of the United States Army during the Mexican–American War. His group was one of only two from Pennsylvania sent to Mexico.
Coulter fought in several key battles. These included the Siege of Vera Cruz and the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec. He also helped capture Mexico City.
After the war, in June 1848, Coulter returned home. He finished his law studies and became a lawyer in 1849. He took over his uncle's law practice. He worked as a lawyer until the Civil War began in 1861. He also stayed active in the local military groups.
Civil War Service
When the Civil War started, President Abraham Lincoln asked for soldiers. Richard Coulter quickly gathered a group of men. He was chosen as their first captain.
Leading the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry
His company soon joined the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Coulter was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1861. Later, in November 1861, he became the commander of the entire regiment. He led them until the war ended in 1865.
Coulter's regiment fought in many important battles. These included Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap, and Second Bull Run.
Key Battles and Promotions
At the Battle of Antietam, Coulter took charge of a larger group of soldiers called a brigade. He did this when his commander was hurt. He then returned to leading his regiment for battles like Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was wounded at Fredericksburg.
At the battle of Gettysburg, Coulter again took command of a brigade. This happened on July 1, when many other officers were wounded. Coulter himself was wounded but kept leading his soldiers.
During the 1864 Overland Campaign, Coulter once more took over a brigade. This was at the Wilderness when his general was wounded. At Spotsylvania, he even led an entire division for two days.
In May 1864, Coulter was wounded again. This injury kept him from fighting for several months. In December 1864, President Lincoln nominated him to be a brevet brigadier general. This honor meant he had the rank, but not necessarily the pay or command of a full general.
He returned to the front during the siege of Petersburg. He led a brigade at the battle of Globe Tavern. His last command was during the Appomattox Campaign. He left the army on July 1, 1865. In 1866, he was nominated and confirmed as a brevet major general for his service.
After the War
After the Civil War, Richard Coulter went back to Greensburg. He became very involved in business. He worked with other local investors to put money into different industries and businesses.
Business Ventures
Coulter started a partnership with George Franklin Huff. Huff was a local businessman who later became a U.S. congressman. Coulter and Huff worked together on some of the biggest companies in Westmoreland County in the 1880s.
These companies included the Keystone Coal and Coke Company and the Greensburg-Hempfield Electric Street Railway. They also worked with the First National Bank of Greensburg, which is now the First Commonwealth Bank. Coulter was the president of this bank until he died in 1908. His son, Richard Coulter Jr., took over as president.
Greensburg was located near a large amount of bituminous coal. This coal was needed for the steel mills in Pittsburgh. Coulter and Huff became very successful by mining coal in Westmoreland County.
Family Life
General Coulter married Emmy Welty. They had six children: Richard Jr., Rebecca, Henry, Alexander, William, and Margaret.
Memorial
Richard Coulter is remembered on the Pennsylvania State Monument. This monument is located at the Gettysburg National Military Park.
He was known as the "most famous Civil War veteran" from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His grave was part of a special event by the Westmoreland County Historical Society. This event celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.
Images for kids
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Pennsylvania Monument at the Gettysburg National Military Park
