from: Pennsylvania Society, Sons of the Revolution, Proceedings 1904-1905

RICHARD STRADER COLLUM, Major United States Marine Corps, retired, died at his residence, 201 St. Mark's Place, West Philadellphia, January 3, 1905. He was born in Madison, Ind., September 28, 1837, and was appointed acting midshipman, United States Navy, September 20, 1854- Resigned May 7, 1857. Commissioned as Seccond Lieutenant September 7, 1861: frigate II St. Lawrence" Septemmber 30, 1861, to May 30, 1863; during that period served in the South Atlantic squadron at St. Simons, Ga.: Port Royal, S. C.; engageement with Sewell's Point battery and Confederate ram If Merrimac," Potomac River; bombardment of Sewell's Point and capture of Norrfolk, Va.: East Gulf Squadron and three boat expeditions on the Florida coast and Indian River. Commissioned First Lieutenant Decemher JO, 1862; while on leave of absence in July, 1863, volunnteered his services to Governor Morton, of Indiana, during the raid of the Confederate General Morgan; tender of services accepted, and was placed in command of a battalion of provisional troops, Cairo and Mound City, Ill.; Mississippi Squadron, August, 1863, to August, 1864: during that period engaged in several expeditions into Kentucky in pursuit of guerillas; member of a commission appointed by Admiral Porter to investigate charges against certain active rebel sympathizers at Louisville, Ky.; frigate "New Ironsides" August, 1864, to April. 1865; two attacks on Fort Fisher: Navy Yard, Washhington, April, 1865, to November, 1867; in temporary command at the barracks, Navy Yard, during the confinement at the yard of Paine and his associate conspirators; in command of marine barrracks, Mound City, Ill., November, 1867, to December, 1868; U. S. S. "Richmond," Mediterranean Squadron, January, 1869, to November, 1871; Naval Academy, January, 1872. Commissioned Captain March 13, 1872; marine barracks, Boston, April, 1872, to January, 1875; commmanded detachment of marines at the great fire in Boston, N ovemmber, 1872; in command of two companies which successfully guarded the removal of the treasure from the Sub- Treasury to the Custom House on that occasion; headquarters, February, 1875, to June, 1875; fleet marine officer of the Asiatic Station, and by special appointment of the Navy Department, Judge Advocate of the fleet; flagship " Tennessee" June, 1875, to July, 1878; member of the Boa~d of Innspection, August, 1878, to November, 1881; marine barracks, League Island, Penna., December, 1881, to April, 1885; expedition to Panama, April and May, 1885; on the night of the withdrawal of our forces from the city of Panama and the occupation of our original lines, representations were made to the commanding officers "that the insurgents were much excited, that drunkenness prevailed to an alarming extent, and that a violation of the armistice was in conntemplation." At 10 p.m. Captain Collum was ordered to enter the city alone and endeavor to ascertain the truth of the report; this duty was successfully performed. Commissioned Captain and Assisttant Quartermaster May 4t 1885; in charge of the depot of supplies, Philadelphia, Pa., May, 1885, to February, 1890; headquarters of Marine Corps February, 1890, to October, 1891; Assistant Quartermaster's office, Philadelphia, October, I891. Major Collum was reetired on his own application on June 26, 1897, six days after having been promoted to the rank of Major of the United States Marine Corps, and later became Commandant of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Erie; his health failing him, he resigned his post more than a year ago; and he again took up his home in West Philadelphia, where his condition became gradually worse, until death came to his relief. Major Collum took an active interest in this Society, of which he became a member on June 9, 1890. On December 14th 1897, he was elected Registrar of the Society, and served officially in that capacity until November 14t 1899; he continued as a Manager until April 3, 1900, in the meantime having removed to Erie. Besides his membership in this Society, he was a member and officer in the Society of Colonial Wars, and was for several years secretary of the United Service Club; a member of the Naval Order, Past Commander of General George G. Meade Post, No. I, Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania. Major Collum was a man of many attractive qualities, which made him many friends. He was not only known by reason of his services to his country, but also as an author of no mean ability in historical and general literature. He was the author of "The History of the United States Marine Corps," "The First Englishman in Japan," "The Transportation of Troops by Rail," •• Notes on the Topoggraphy of the Isthmus of Panama," "The Navy During the Civil War," "Description of the Fight between the Monitor and the Merrimac, March 9, 1862," and several other works. He was also an associate editor of the " American Historical Register" in 1895. Major Collum was also noted as a lecturer, having delivered lectures before the members of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Archreological Society of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Numismatic and Antiquarian Societies. The remains of Major Colltum were borne to their resting place in Woodlands Cemetery on· the afternoon of January 6, 1905, and interred with full military honors.