Richard Arnold | |
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Major General Richard Arnold
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Born |
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
April 12, 1828
Died | November 8, 1882 New York City, New York, U.S. |
(aged 54)
Place of burial | Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1850–1882 |
Rank |
Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
Battles/wars | |
Relations |
Isaac P. Rodman (brother-in-law) Benedict Arnold |
Richard Arnold (April 12, 1828 – November 8, 1882) was a career U.S. Army officer who served as a brigadier general in the Union forces during the American Civil War. His artillery helped force the surrender of two important Confederate towns, including Mobile, Alabama.
Arnold was the son of Rhode Island governor and United States congressman Lemuel Arnold, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1828, graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1850. His classmates included Eugene A. Carr and Cuvier Grover, who would serve alongside him in the Trans-Mississippi Theater during the Civil War. His antebellum service included various routine posts in Florida, California, and the Pacific Northwest. Arnold was promoted to captain in the Regular Army and became an aide-de-camp to Major General John E. Wool.
Shortly after the start of the Civil War, Arnold commanded Battery D of the 2nd U.S. Artillery at the First Battle of Bull Run, and was forced to abandon his guns during the ensuing Union rout. In 1862, he served in various staff positions with the Army of the Potomac, including as a division artillery chief and Assistant Inspector General for the VI Corps.