Richard H. Rush
Richard Henry Rush was a American cavalry colonel of English origin who led the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment throughout the early and middle battles of the American Civil War. Biography. Early years. Rush was born on January 14, 1825 at London as the grandson of Benjamin Rush and while his father was the minister of the Court of St. James. At some point, Rush immigrated to Philadelphia and then entered the United States Military Academy before graduating 26th out of 59 on the Class of 1846. He then served in the Mexican-American War as a Brevet  2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd United States Artillery. After the war, Rush was stationed at Fort Columbus in 1848 and later at Fort Monroe from 1848 to 1849 and 1850. From December 10, 1850 to November 5, 1852, he was a part of the Coast Survey and from 1852 to 1854, he was stationed at Fort McHenry. However Rush resigned on July 1, 1854 and wouldn't re-enlist until the start of the American Civil War. American Civil War. After the outbreak of the American Civil War, Rush was promoted to Colonel on July 27, 1861 and was authorized  by Andrew Gregg Curtin to muster the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment from Montgomery County and Berks County with a term of three years. The 6th Pennsylvania was one of very few Lancer units during the American Civil War and were thus given the nickname "Rush's Lancers". Despite this though, the lances were never used in active combat and the unit saw its first fighting at the Skirmish of Hanley's Bridge. It went on to participate in the battles of Hanover Court House, Gaines's Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Stoneman's 1863 raid, Fredericksburg , Chancellorsville and Gettysburg with their most distinguished service at the Battle of Brandy Station. General John Buford often referred to Colonel Rush's regiment as "my other Regulars" from their service at Brandy Station. George B. McClellan commented on the unit stating: "They are the eyes and ears of my army." Rush was seconded to the Provost Marshal General's Bureau from May 10 to November 10, 1863. There he helped to organize the Veteran Reserve Corps and afterwards, from November 10 to December 20, 1863, the Rock Island Prison. Rush was then made President of a Board for Examination  of Officers from January 3 to March 20, 1864 but due to his term expiring, he resigned from the Army on July 1, 1864. Nothing is known about Rush's life after the American Civil War besides his death date at October 17, 1893 and his burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery.