he commanded several brigades in the army of the potomac and then the 1st division of the ii corps during the peninsula campaign in mid-1862. he was involved in the fighting at the battles of yorktown, seven pines, and the seven days. he was particularly distinguished in sharp fighting near the chickahominy river. richardson was promoted to major general after the seven days battles. his division was stationed in washington, dc, during the second battle of bull run and did not participate in that engagement.