White, Richard

Rank: Private

Unit: F Co, 2d Dragoons

Enlisted: December 8, 1836 in Petersburg, Virginia. He was 19.

Date of birth: 1817

Hometown: Chesterfield, Virginia

Occupation prior to enlistment: Farmer

Campaign: Second Seminole War

Died: 23 July 1839

Age at death: 21 yrs

Cause of death: Killed in action

Location of fatality: Caloosahatchie, Florida (Cape Coral, Florida)

Click to open a new window to view general location of Soldier’s fatality.

Place of interment: Saint Augustine National Cemetery in Saint Augustine, Florida

Notes: Battle of Caloosahatchee also known as the Harney Massacre happen on 23 July 1839.  Approximately 150 Seminole warriors under Chakaika attacked and burned the trading post on the Caloosahatchee River where it meets the bay, at the modern city of Cape Coral and Hospetarke attacked the Dragoon encampment, killing 11 Dragoons out of the 19 Dragoons, five civilians, and one interpreter.  Two additional Dragoons were wounded. Only the Dade Massacre and the Battle of Okeechobee had more casualties during the Seminole War. This battle led to public outcry against the Seminoles and thus deterring any hopes of peace with the Seminoles in Florida.

Brother to John White also killed in service in the 2d Dragoons.