Richard Waterhouse (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Waterhouse, Jr.
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Richard Waterhouse
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| Born | January 12, 1832 Rhea County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 1876 Waco, Texas, U.S. |
| Buried |
Oakwood Cemetery (Jefferson, Texas)
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| Allegiance | United States Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank | Brigadier General (CSA) |
| Commands held | 19th Texas Infantry Regiment Waterhouse's Brigade 3rd Brigade, Texas Division |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Other work | merchant, land speculator |
Richard Waterhouse (born January 12, 1832 – died March 20, 1876) was an important leader in the American Civil War. He served as a brigadier general for the Confederate States. This rank is like a high-ranking officer in the army.
Contents
Early Life and Adventures
Richard Waterhouse was born in Rhea County, Tennessee. When he was a teenager, he decided to join the army. He ran away from home to fight in the Mexican–American War.
After the war, Richard and his family moved. In 1849, they settled in San Augustine, Texas. Before the Civil War started, he worked as a merchant. This means he bought and sold goods.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Richard Waterhouse helped form a new army unit. This unit was called the Nineteenth Texas Infantry. On May 13, 1862, he was chosen as the colonel, which is a high-ranking leader, of this group.
He fought in different states, including Arkansas and Louisiana. He served under other important generals like Thomas C. Hindman and Richard Taylor.
Heroic Actions in Battle
Richard Waterhouse showed great bravery in battle. At Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, in August 1862, he led a daring charge. His troops moved forward even though enemy cannons were firing at them.
Another general, Henry Eustace McCulloch, praised Waterhouse. He said Waterhouse led his soldiers "over the levee" and pushed the enemy "to the very brink of the river." This was a very dangerous move, as enemy gunboats were close by.
Later, Waterhouse's unit joined William R. Scurry's brigade. They fought in the Red River Campaign in spring 1864. This campaign included important battles like Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.
Becoming a Brigadier General
General Edmund Kirby Smith, who was in charge of the Trans-Mississippi Department, was very impressed with Waterhouse. He decided to promote Waterhouse to Brigadier General. This promotion officially started on April 30, 1864.
However, the promotion needed to be confirmed by the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis. It was finally confirmed on March 17, 1865. The Confederate Senate approved it the very next day. This was just before the Confederate government ended.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Richard Waterhouse lived in San Antonio and Jefferson, Texas. He worked as a land speculator, which means he bought and sold land hoping its value would increase.
Sadly, Richard Waterhouse died young. On March 18, 1876, he fell down some stairs at a hotel in Waco. This accident led to a serious illness called pneumonia. He passed away just two days later, on March 20, 1876. He is buried in Jefferson, Texas.
