Finding aid for the Orlando Charles Risdon Papers


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Risdon, Orlando Charles
Title: Orlando Charles Risdon Papers
Dates: 1861-1872
Extent: 1.00 linear feet (3 containers)
Abstract: Orlando Charles Risdon (1840-1894) was a Union officer from Ohio who organized and commanded the 53rd Colored Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. In March 1865 he became a brevet brigadier general. The collection consists of correspondence, orders, reports, vouchers, bills, receipts, related military documents, a record book, a day book, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, printed items, maps and photographs.
MS Number MS 3229
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

Biography of Orlando Charles Risdon

Orlando Charles Risdon (May 8, 1840-November 30, 1894) was born in Warrensville, Ohio. He was a carpenter and wagon manufacturer. On April 22, 1861, Risdon joined the 19th Ohio Infantry, serving as a private. On August 31, 1861, he was honorably mustered out of service. On October 7, 1861, Risdon was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the 42nd Ohio Infantry. On May 19, 1863, at the age of 23, he became a lieutenant colonel of the 53rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment, and was promoted to full colonel in this regiment on March 24, 1864. He helped organize the 53rd U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment.

On March 13, 1865, Risdon was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers for gallant and meritorious service in the battles of Rich Mountain, West Virginia; Middle Creek, East Kentucky; Tazewell, East Tennessee; Arkansas Post, Arkansas; Chickasaw, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Big Black Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Risdon also served in Milliken's Bend, Louisiana.

Risdon was honorably mustered out of service on June 6, 1866 and died in Ravenna, Ohio, on November 30, 1894. He is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.


Scope and Content

The Orlando Charles Risdon Papers, 1861-1872 and undated, consist of correspondence, orders, reports, vouchers, bills, receipts, related military documents, a record book, a day book, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, printed items, maps and photographs.

The collection primarily relates to Risdon's activities in the American Civil War as a Union officer from Ohio, in which capacity he helped to organize the 53rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment. Included among Risdon's papers are personal and official correspondence, military orders (in manuscript and printed form), reports, vouchers, bills, receipts, and related military documents, a record book and day book, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and assorted printed items.


Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged by document type and then chronologically.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Related Material

The researcher should also consult PG 65 Orlando Charles Risdon Photograph Album. The Western Reserve Historical Society History Museum has the desk, portfolio, and checkerboard used by Risdon during the Civil War.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

African American soldiers.
Risdon, Orlando Charles.
Soldiers -- Ohio -- Miscellanea.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
United States. Army -- African American troops.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 3229 Orlando Charles Risdon Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gifts of Jeanette Risdon in 1939 and 1942.

Processing Information

Processed by John Large, Jr. in 1964.

Detailed Description of The Collection

Orlando Charles Risdon Papers 1861-1872 undated

Box Folder
1 1 Biographical material relating to the military career of Orlando C. Risdon 1863-1866
1 2-9 Manuscript material of Orlando C. Risdon 1861-1865
Box Folder
2 1-3 Manuscript material of Orlando C. Risdon 1866-1867
2 3 Manuscript material of Orlando C. Risdon (multi-dated as to year) 1861-1866 undated
2 4 Printed items, including pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and maps; includes an 1861 address setting forth the declaration of the immediate causes which induce and justify the secession of Mississippi from the Federal Union and the ordinance of secession, Jackson, Mississippi book and job printing office 1861-1872 undated
2 5 Blank forms relating to military matters undated
2 6-7 Empty envelopes dates vary
Box Folder
3 1 Military general orders, printed 1863-1865
3 1 "Department Mississippi. [General] Orders for 1865[-66]" 1865-1866
3 2 "Western District of Mississippi. [General] Orders for 1865[-66]" 1865-1866
3 3 "War Department. [General] Orders for 1865[-66]" 1865-1866
3 4 "Record of Surplus Ordnance and Reserve Ordnance Stores in the 53rd U. S. Colored Infantry from the 12th Day of March 1864," day book 1864-1865
3 5 Communication endorsement record book 1865