Richard W. Givens
Sergeant, H Company, 17th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry



Photo by Barry Goodall

Richard Givens was enrolled in the 17th Infantry on 27, 1861. He was never mustered for his three year term in Company H. He was appointed Sergeant on May 1st, 1864. He was discharged on 23 January in Louisville with his unit. There are no other entries in the AG Report.

Sgt. Richard W. Givens Co. H, Sgt. Givens was a tentmate with fellow 17th Kentuckian Frank Havens. They were from the same neighborhood in Butler County before the war began. Sgt. Givens wrote a letter to Washington D.C. on Havens behalf, giving eyewitness testimony of Havens being wounded on the first day's fight at the Battle of Ft. Donelson. At war's end Richard Givens settled to neighboring Grayson County where he is buried at Cain Cemetery near Goff's Crossing. [Barry Goodall]