Blackstone, Richard

Biography

Richard Blackstone (1843-1922), born October 16, 1843 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, entered the United States military service at the age of 20, enlisting in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 32nd Regiment. He remained with this regiment until his honorable discharge in 1865 at the end of the Civil War. Blackstone, stating his occupation as farmer, first enlisted in 1861 and joined the 32nd Regiment during its original organization in Mansfield, Ohio. Re-enlisting as a Veteran Volunteer in 1863, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on March 29, 1864 and then to 1st Lieutenant just five months later. In June of 1865 Richard Blackstone received his final promotion to Captain. He retained this rank until his discharge from service on July 27, 1865.

During the war, the 32nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry advanced against Greenbrier, Virginia and was engaged in watching the maneuvers of the rebel army, commanded by General Robert E. Lee. Subsequently, the 32nd Regiment participated in the capture of Camp Allegheny, Huntersville, Monterey and McDowell. The 32nd Regiment then participated heavily in the Battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic. In 1862 the Regiment was called to assist in the defense of Harper's Ferry, where 150 of its men were lost and the rest became prisoners of war. The 32nd Regiment was eventually paroled, sent to Annapolis and from there traveled to Chicago. By December 1862, under the command of B. F. Potts, the 32nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, numbering 800 soldiers, had been reconstituted. The regiment was then ordered to Memphis and reported to Major General U.S. Grant. Subsequently, the 32nd took part in the campaign against Vicksburg and the Battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, and Champion Hills. In June 1864, the men of the 32nd joined General Sherman in Georgia and participated in his March to the Sea .

The 32nd regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Army entered the field of battle in September 1861 with 950 men. During the course of the war, 1600 recruits joined it. At muster-out, only 565 men remained. The 32nd Regiment both recruited and lost more men than any other Ohio Regiment.

After the Civil War, Richard Blackstone relocated to Central City, South Dakota, where he joined the Homestake Mining Company in 1878. Initially, he worked as a surveyor, then as chief engineer, participating in such projects as the construction of the Black Hills and Fort Pierre Railroad. Blackstone served as chief engineer for more than 33 years, after which he was appointed assistant superintendent and eventually superintendent.

Blackstone died December 21, 1922, leaving a son, Alex, and daughter, Louise. Alex was born June 1, 1875 and fathered one son, James, who was born January 25, 1915.

From the guide to the Richard Blackstone military papers, 1863-1925, (Loyola Marymount University. Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections)