| Edmund “Ed” L. Richards was born in Blanco County, Texas on 21 February, 1869 the son of Samuel Richards of Tennessee and Madeline Green of Texas. Richards joined the Texas Volunteer Guard as a Captain in the Marble Fall Guard around 1893. At the outbreak of the Spanish American War the Texas Guard was nationalized as part of the United States Volunteers with Richards assuming command of Company “L”, 1st Texas Volunteer Infantry and later Company “K”, 1st Texas Volunteer Infantry. The 1st Texas Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service between 10 and 12 May. 1898 in Austin Texas and was part of Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s Seventh Army Corps. Still based at Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Florida when the war ended before the unit could deploy to Cuba but did become part of the army of occupation leaving Florida on 23, December, 1898. The 1st embarked from Cuba to the United States on 25 March, 1899 and was mustered out of service on 18 April, 1899. At the time of his discharge Richards was listed as a Major of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, Texas Volunteer Infantry. His service was listed as “honest and faithful” with “Character excellent”. After the war Richards resided in Mineral Wells, Texas and made his living as a contractor/carpenter. He remained active in veteran’s affairs retaining membership in such organization as the United Spanish War Veterans and the Seventh Army Corps Veterans Association until the time of his death. He never married and died at the V.A. Hospital in McKinney. Texas on 21 August 1957. Cabinet Style Photograph Havens - Photographer Jacksonville, Florida, United States 1898 |
| Captain Richards hand drawn calling card c. 1898 3 3/4 inches by 2 1/4 inches (9.5 cm x 5.7 cm) |
| Top: Edmund L. Richards Seventh Army Corps Association membership card. 1954 3 1.2 inches x 2 5/16 inches (8.9 cm x 6 cm) Bottom: Edmund L. Richards United Spanish War Veterans membership card. 1929 3 7/8 inches by 3 1/4 inches (10 cm x 8.3 cm) |
| Edmund L. Richards pension document 1931 8 inches by 10 1/2 inches (20.4 cm x 26.8 cm) |
| Below: Official photostatic copy of Major Edmund "Ed" L. Richards discharge certificate dated 18 April, 1899. In the upper right hand corner is show Richards mustering out pay of $854.17 1899 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches (21.5 cm x 27.7 cm) |