The Biographical Dictionary of America/Anderson, Richard Herron

ANDERSON, Richard Herron, soldier, was born in Statesburgh, S. C., Oct. 7, 1821. He was graduated from West Point in 1842, and commissioned brevet 2d lieutenant of 1st dragoons. After serving at the cavalry school for practice in Carlisle, Pa., he was assigned to frontier duty in Arkansas and Iowa. In 1844 he was transferred to the 2d dragoons, and during 1845-'46 was in military occupation of Texas and on recruiting service. He served from 1846-'48 in the Mexican war, being engaged in the siege of Vera Cruz in March, 1847, the skirmish of La Hoya in June, the battle of Contreras in August, the skirmish at San Augustine in August, the battle of Molino del Rey, and the capture of the city of Mexico in September. He was brevetted 1st lieutenant for gallant conduct at San Augustine, and in July, 1848, he was promoted full lieutenant. In 1849-'50 he was on recruiting service and at the cavalry school for practice at Carlisle, Pa. On March 3, 1855, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and served until 1857 on frontier duty. He resigned his commission March 3, 1861, and joined the Confederate army, where he was made brigadier-general. The following year he was promoted major-general, and after fighting gallantly in many important engagements, he won by promotion the rank of lieutenant-general. He lived quietly at his home in Beaufort, S. C., from the close of the war until the time of his death, which occurred June 26, 1879.