The Russell P. and John A. Rich papers contain 9 documents related to the brothers' service in the Union Army during the Civil War, 2 letters by other Civil War soldiers, and a copy of Russell P. Rich's 1871 will.
Documents related to Russell P. Rich are his corporal's commission for the 123rd New York Infantry Regiment (September 15, 1862); a document regarding his permission to travel to Niagara Falls, New York, on furlough (November 2, 1864); his corporal's commission for the 95th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Veteran Reserve Corps (July 1865); and a document about his assignment at the Hicks General Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland (August 5, 1865). Signed statements from Howard Hospital provide remarks about the condition of John A. Rich's health during the winter of 1862 (November 10, 1862, and November 17, 1862), and copies of military papers contain orders for him to guard convalescent barracks at Nashville, Tennessee (May 8, 1862, and May 21, 1862). An account for John Rich's pay and clothing is also present (July 31, 1862). James E. Barrett, a friend of Russell's, wrote a letter on February 17, 1862, about recent war developments and army life, and a friend of "Seargent E. Rich" requested paperwork for proper regimental reporting (January or June 27, 1863). The final item is a copy of Russell P. Rich's will, dated June 26, 1871.
Brothers John A. Rich (b. ca. 1838) and Russell P. Rich (b. ca. 1841) were farmers in Chester, Michigan, prior to the Civil War. John enlisted in Company H of the 13th Michigan Infantry Regiment on November 3, 1862, and served as a corporal throughout the war; during the latter months of 1862, he spent time in Howard Hospital. Russell initially enlisted in the 123rd New York Infantry Regiment, where he attained the rank of corporal in Company D, and later served in the 95th Company of the 2nd Battalion of Veteran Reserve Corps. After the war, John returned to Chester and married Lovina B. Barns on January 19, 1873; they had one son, Ernest. Russell continued to serve in the army and later returned to Chester.
