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.
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.
The collection is arranged by document type and then chronologically.
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.
Processed by John Large, Jr. in 1964.
None.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 3229 Orlando Charles Risdon Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gifts of Jeanette Risdon in 1939 and 1942.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.