Richard Hanson Weightman

Richard Hanson Weightman (December 28, 1816 – August 10, 1861) was an antebellum delegate to the United States Congress from the Territory of New Mexico.[2] He was also a district commander of the secessionist Missouri State Guard during the American Civil War, and was killed in action at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri.

Richard Hanson Weightman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico Territory's At-large district
In office
March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853
(Delegate)
Preceded byWilliam S. Messervy
Succeeded byJosé Manuel Gallegos
Personal details
BornDecember 28, 1816
Washington, D.C.
DiedAugust 10, 1861(1861-08-10) (aged 44)
near Springfield, Missouri
Resting placeSpringfield National Cemetery
Springfield, Missouri[1]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSusan Bradford Coxe
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
Occupationnewspaper editor
Military service
Allegiance
Branch/service
Years of service
  • 1846–1849 (U.S. Army)
  • 1861 (Missouri State Guard)
Rank
Battles/wars

Early life and education

Born in Washington, D.C., where his father Roger C. Weightman later served as mayor, Weightman attended private schools there and in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1834 and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, 1835–1837, but was expelled for contemplating a duel. He subsequently studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1841 in the District of Columbia, but did not practice.[2]

Mexican-American War

Weightman moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and on May 28, 1846, was elected captain of Clark's Battalion, Missouri Volunteer Light Artillery, in the Mexican War, later fighting in the Battle of Sacramento.[3] He served as Additional Paymaster, Volunteers, in the Army in 1848 and 1849 and left the service as a Major.

Later career

He moved to New Mexico Territory in 1851 and edited a newspaper in Santa Fe. He was appointed agent for Indians in New Mexico in July 1851.[2]

Fight with F.X. Aubry

While in Santa Fe in August 1854, he killed François Xavier Aubry (December 3, 1824 – August 18, 1854) who was a French Canadian merchant and explorer of the American Southwest. When Aubry drew his revolver, Weightman stabbed Aubry with a Bowie knife.[4]

Congressional delegate

Weightman was elected as a Democrat as the New Mexico Territory's Delegate to the Thirty-second Congress (March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853). He was not a candidate for reelection in 1852.

Civil War and death

After leaving Congress, he went back to newspaper work. In 1858 he moved to Kickapoo and Atchison, Kansas, and in 1861 to Independence, Missouri.[2]

On June 11, 1861, Weightman was elected as colonel of the First Regiment Cavalry, Eighth Division, Missouri State Guard, Confederate States Army. He was promoted to command of the First Brigade, Eighth Division, June 20, 1861, and led it competently at the Battle of Carthage on July 5 1861.

Colonel Richard Hanson Weightman was killed while leading his brigade at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri on August 10, 1861, and was buried on the battlefield near Springfield, Missouri.[2]

Notes
  1. "Col Richard Hanson Weightman". Find A Grave. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. "Weightman, Richard Hanson". United States Congress. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. Hannings, Bud (2014). The U.S. Mexican War: A Complete Chronology. McFarland. p. 132. ISBN 9780786476480.
  4. Twitchell, Ralph Emerson (1909). The History of the Military Occupation of the Territory of New Mexico. Arno Press. p. 386.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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