Richard Holmes Powell, Class of 1843 (A.B.) and 1851 (A.M.)

Powell was a prominent planter in Union Springs, Alabama at the beginning of the war, having also served as mayor of the town and having helped establish a bank. He was commissoned as captain of Co. D of the 3rd AL Infantry, the Southern Rifles, on April 26, 1861. He was wounded on May 19, 1863 and was promoted to major on August 20, 1863.  Powell was wounded in the right leg on May 17, 1864 and hospitalized in Richmond, VA.  Although his records don't indicate where he was wounded, the 3rd Alabama was involved in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House at that time so it is nearly certain this was the battle in which he was wounded. It was initially believed that he would recover fully, but the wound did not heal for several months and after numerous medical furlough extensions, he was released for light duty. He was captured May 3, 1865 at Union Springs, AL where he was serving as a major in the Invalid Corps, having been retired from service February 2, 1865. He was paroled May 6, 1865 at Montgomery, AL.

After the war, Powell practiced law and became editor of the Union Springs Herald (Union Springs, AL) newspaper, for which he wrote a series of articles on the history of the 3rd Alabama Infantry  in 1866-1867. He also served a term in the state legislature from 1882-1883. He died October 17, 1884 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Union Springs, AL.