The Biographical Dictionary of America/Batchelder, Richard N.

​BATCHELDER, Richard N., soldier, was born at Meredith. N.H., July 27, 1832. He was appointed regimental quartermaster of the 1st N.H. regiment, April 30, 1861. He was promoted captain and assistant quartermaster, and assigned to duty as chief quartermaster of the corps of observation in August, 1861; chief quartermaster second division, second corps, army of the Potomac, March, 1862; lieutenant-colonel and chief quartermaster, second corps, army of the Potomac, January, 1863; acting chief quartermaster, army of the Potomac, June, 1864; colonel and chief quartermaster, army of the Potomac, August, 1864. Here he had charge of the immense baggage trains of that great force, comprising some five thousand wagons and thirty thousand horses and mules, on the campaign from the Rapidan to the James. He was brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel and brigadier-general of volunteers, and major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel. United States army, for faithful and meritorious service during the war. He was appointed captain and assistant quartermaster in the regular service in February, 1865, and from that date until 1889 he served as assistant and chief quartermaster at various depots, posts and departments. He received seven brevets for faithful and meritorious services during the war, and medals of honor were awarded him by Congress under the act of July 12, 1862, and under that of March 3, 1863, for "such officers, non-commissioned officers and privates as have most distinguished or who may hereafter most distinguish themselves in action." He was brevetted "for most distinguished gallantry in action against Mosby's guerrillas, between Catlett's and Fairfax stations, Va., Oct. 13-15, 1863, while serving as lieutenant-colonel and quartermaster of volunteers, chief quartermaster of the second army corps." On July 10, 1890, he was appointed quartermaster-general of the army by President Harrison. During his six years of service in that capacity he handled forty-three millions of dollars. He was retired from active service July 27, 1896. He died at Washington, D.C., Jan. 4, 1901.