The name Richard Poplar resonates largely with the people of Petersburg, Virginia, especially on Sept. 18th, when the town will celebrate its 7th annual Richard Poplar Day.
Private Richard “Dick” Poplar was a 19th century African-American Confederate soldier who was held captive as a P.O.W. in July 1863 during the battle at Gettysburg. It was said that he had attached himself to the Sussex Light Dragoons, a gang of wealthy men who eventually made up Company H of the Confederate Army.
