Joel Richardson enlisted as a private in Company I, 18th Missouri Infantry on November 14, 1861; he was later promoted to first sergeant in March 1864 and to second lieutenant in July 1864; in June 1865 he was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to Company C. He was mustered out on July 18, 1865.

During his tenure with the 18th Missouri Infantry, Richardson fought at Shiloh, through the Atlanta campaign, Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” and the Carolinas campaign, and at Bentonville.

Carte-de-Visite by A.R. Butts, Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11613