#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Richard Sparks

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Richard Sparks.

Richard joined the Army in 1778, and served with Captain Bowen’s Company of the 9^th Pennsylvania Regiment. He joined General Arthur St. Clair in November of that year in the Battle of the Wabash, also known as St. Clair’s Defeat. At the conclusion of that battle, Richard was ordered to go on scout duty and accompany a Chicksaw Indian chief.

He then went on to command a company under General Anthony Wayne in the 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers. By 1806, he made major and led the exploring expedition of the Red River for which he received special praise from President Jefferson.

Richard served with the 2^nd division at Fort Charlotte, SC from July of 1812 until he retired in June of 1815.

Richard was one of many children captured by the Shawnee Indians between 1760 and 1762. His captor was a Shawnee sub-chief at Old Chillicothe, (presently Oldtown, OH) whose name was Blackfish. Richard remained with Blackfish until February 1775. Following his release, Richard went to live with his parents in Allegheny County, PA, until he joined the Army.

We honor his service.

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