Acts of Bravery in 1863

I returned last night from visiting friends in Michigan and had a great time bicycling, kayaking, and just enjoying some cool weather. As always I was on the look out for anything relating to the Civil War, and sure enough what I stumbled across will be the subject of an upcoming blog posting.

The following entries list the men who received a Medal of Honor for acts of bravery in 1863 in the trans-Mississippi. As I mentioned in the first posting of this series, I included the first three men on this list because I believe their actions occurred during the attack on Arkansas Post in early January 1863.

1) BRADLEY, CHARLES

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Louisville. Carrying out his duties through the thick of battle and acting as captain of a 9-inch gun, Bradley consistently showed, "Attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action against the enemy."

2) BYRNES, JAMES

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Louisville. Carrying out his duties through the thick of battle and acting as captain of a 9-inch gun, Brynes consistently showed "Attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action against the enemy."

3) SULLIVAN, TIMOTHY

Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1835, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Louisville during various actions of that vessel. During the engagements of the Louisville, Sullivan served as first captain of a 9_inch gun and throughout his period of service was "especially commended for his attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action."

4) TALBOTT, WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Captain of the Forecastle, U.S. Navy. Born: 1812, Maine. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 32, 16 April 1865. Citation: Served as captain of the forecastle on board the U.S.S. Louisville at the capture of the Arkansas post, 10 and 11 January 1863. Carrying out his duties as captain of a 9_inch gun, Talbott was conspicuous for ability and bravery throughout this engagement with the enemy.

5) HOWARD, SQUIRE E.

Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company H, 8th Vermont Infantry. Place and date: At Bayou Teche, La., 14 January 1863. Entered service at: Townshend, Vt. Birth: Jamaica, Vt. Date of issue: 29 January 1894. Citation: Voluntarily carried an important message through the heavy fire of the enemy to bring aid and save the gunboat Calhoun.

6) BROWN, JAMES

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1826 Rochester, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 32, 16 April 1864. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Albatross during action against Fort De Russy in the Red River Area on 4 May 1863. After the steering wheel and wheel ropes had been shot away by rebel fire, Brown stood on the gun platform of the quarterdeck, exposing himself to a close fire of musketry from the shore, and rendered invaluable assistance by his expert management of the relieving tackles in extricating the vessel from a perilous position, and thereby aided in the capture of Fort De Russy's heavyworks.

7) SIMONDS, WILLIAM EDGAR

Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 25th Connecticut Infantry. Place and date: At Irish Bend, La., 14 April 1863. Entered service at: Canton, Conn. Birth: ------. Date of issue: 25 February 1899. Citation. Displayed great gallantry, under a heavy fire from the enemy, in calling in the skirmishers and assisting in forming the line of battle.

8) POND, JAMES B.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company C, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry. Place and date: At Baxter Springs, Kans., 6 October 1863. Entered service at: Janesville, Rock County, Wis. Birth: Allegany, N.Y. Date of issue: 30 March 1898. Citation: While in command of 2 companies of Cavalry, was surprised and attacked by several times his own number of guerrillas, but gallantly rallied his men, and after a severe struggle drove the enemy outside the fortifications. 1st Lt. Pond then went outside the works and, alone and unaided, fired a howitzer 3 times, throwing the enemy into confusion and causing him to retire.

9) SEWARD, GRIFFIN

Rank and organization: Wagoner, Company G, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Chiricahva Mountains, Ariz., 20 October 1863. Entered service at:------. Birth: Dover, Del. Date of issue: 14 February 1870. Citation: Gallantry in action.

10) MARLAND, WILLIAM

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 2d Independent Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery. Place and date: At Grand Coteau, La., 3 November 1863. Entered service at:------. Born: 11 March 1839, Andover, Mass. Date of issue: 16 February 1897. Citation: After having been surrounded by the enemy's cavalry, his support having surrendered, he ordered a charge and saved the section of the battery that was under his command.

11) HESSELTINE, FRANCIS S.

Rank and organization: Colonel, 13th Maine Infantry. Place and date: At Matagorda Bay, Tex., 29-30 December 1863. Entered service at: Maine. Born: 10 December 1833, Bangor, Maine. Date of issue: 2 March 1895. Citation: In command of a detachment of 100 men, conducted a reconnaissance for 2 days, baffling and beating back an attacking force of more than a thousand Confederate cavalry, and regained his transport without loss.

Other Acts of Bravery in 1862

The last posting listed the twenty sailors who received the Medal of Honor for acts of bravery in the trans-Mississippi in 1862; the following lists the ten members of the army who received the Medal of Honor for acts of heroism west of the Mississippi in 1862.

As a side note, tomorrow marks the first anniversary of this blog. When I started this blog I had some topics in mind to write about, but I really had no idea how long I could sustain the blog. There have been times over the past year when I have not known what to blog about next, but it has been just at those times that one of you have stepped forward and suggested a topic. So, thank you everyone for your support and your comments!

1) FOLLETT, JOSEPH L.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company G, 1st Missouri Light Artillery. Place and date: At New Madrid, Mo., 3 March 1862; at Stone River, Tenn., 31 December 1862. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Birth: Newark, N.J. Date of issue: 19 September 1890. Citation: At New Madrid, Mo., remained on duty though severely wounded. While procuring ammunition from the supply train at Stone River, Tenn., was captured, but made his escape, secured the ammunition, and in less than an hour from the time of his capture had the batteries supplied.

2) BLACK, WILLIAM P.

Rank and organization: Captain, Company K, 37th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Pea Ridge, Ark., 7 March 1862. Entered service at: Danville, Ill. Born: 11 November 1842, Woodford, Ky. Date of issue: 2 October 1893. Citation: Single-handedly confronted the enemy, firing a rifle at them and thus checking their advance within 100 yards of the lines.

3) CARR, EUGENE A.

Rank and organization: Colonel, 3d Illinois Cavalry. Place and date: At Pea Ridge, Ark., 7 March 1862. Entered service at: Hamburg, Erie County, N.Y. Born: 10 March 1830, Boston Corner, Erie County, N.Y. Date of issue: 16 January 1894. Citation: Directed the deployment of his command and held his ground, under a brisk fire of shot and shell in which he was several times wounded.

4) HERRON, FRANCIS J.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, 9th Iowa Infantry. Place and date: At Pea Ridge, Ark., 7 May [March] 1862. Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: 17 February 1837, Pittsburgh, Pa. Date of issue 26 September 1893. Citation: Was foremost in leading his men, rallying them to repeated acts of daring, until himself disabled and taken prisoner.

5) POWER, ALBERT

Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 3d Iowa Cavalry. Place and date: At Pea Ridge, Ark., 7 March 1862. Entered service at: Davis County, Iowa. Birth: Guernsey County, Ohio. Date of issue: 6 March 1899. Citation: Under a heavy fire and at great personal risk went to the aid of a dismounted comrade who was surrounded by the enemy, took him up on his own horse, and carried him to a place of safety.

6) PIKE, EDWARD M.

Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company A, 33d Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Cache River, Ark., 7 July 1862. Entered service at: Bloomington, Ill. Birth: Casce, Maine. Date of issue: 29 March 1899. Citation: While the troops were falling back before a superior force, this soldier, assisted by one companion, and while under severe fire at close range, saved a cannon from capture by the enemy.

7) INGALLS, LEWIS J.

Rank and organization: Private, Company K, 8th Vermont Infantry. Place and date: At Boutte Station, La., 4 September 1862. Entered service an Belvidere, Vt. Birth: Boston, Mass. Date of issue: 20 October 1899. Citation: A railroad train guarded by about 60 men on flat cars having been sidetracked by a misplaced switch into an ambuscade of guerrillas who were rapidly shooting down the unprotected guards, this soldier, under a severe fire in which he was wounded, ran to another switch and, opening it, enabled the train and the surviving guards to escape.

8) BLODGETT, WELIS H.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company D, 37th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Newtonia, Mo., 30 September 1862. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 29 January 1839, Downers Grove, Ill. Date of issue: 15 February 1894. Citation: With a single orderly, captured an armed picket of 8 men and marched them in prisoners.

9) NOLAN, JOHN J.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 8th New Hampshire Infantry. Place and date: At Georgia Landing, La., 27 October 1862. Entered service at: Nashua, N.H. Born: 24 June 1844, Ireland. Date of issue: 3 August 1897. Citation: Although prostrated by a cannon shot, refused to give up the flag which he was carrying as color bearer of his regiment and continued to carry it at the head of the regiment throughout the engagement.

10) BLACK, JOHN C.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, 37th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Prairie Grove, Ark., 7 December 1862. Entered service at: Danville, III. Born: 27 January 1839, Lexington, Holmes County, Miss. Date of issue: 31 October 1893. Citation: Gallantly charged the position of the enemy at the head of his regiment, after 2 other regiments had been repulsed and driven down the hill, and captured a battery; was severely wounded.

Heroism at Forts Jackson and St. Philip

Beginning on April 18, 1862, Union mortar boats bombarded Fort Jackson (on the west bank) and Fort St. Philip (on the east bank) located below New Orleans along the Mississippi River. Failing to reduce the forts by bombardment, David G. Farragut led his fleet on April 24^th by the two forts, fought against Confederate gunboats, and then seized New Orleans the next day. In the fighting the Union lost one vessel, the U. S. S. Varuna; the squadron altogether lost 37 killed and 149 wounded.

As a result of this decisive encounter, twenty sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for their acts of bravery. Here is the breakdown by naval vessel: U. S. S. Brooklyn (1 recipient), U. S. S. Cayuga (3 recipients), U. S. S. Mississippi (1 recipient), U. S. S. Owasco (1 recipient), U. S. S. Pensacola (4 recipients), U. S. Steam Gunboat Pinola (1 recipient), U. S. S. Varuna (8 recipients), and the U. S. S. Wissahickon (1 recipient).

1) BOURNE, THOMAS

Rank and organization: Seaman and Gun Captain, U.S. Navy. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: England. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served as captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and while under fire and ramming by the rebel ship Morgan, 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range while his ship was under furious fire and was twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, Bourne remained steadfast at his gun and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the Varuna, badly damaged and forced to beach, was finally sunk.

2) BRADLEY, AMOS

Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1837, Dansville, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Varuna in one of the most responsible positions, during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and while in action against the rebel ship Morgan, 24 April 1862. Although guns were raking the decks from behind him, Bradley remained steadfast at the wheel throughout the thickest of the fight, continuing at his station and rendering service with the greatest courage until his ship, repeatedly holed and twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, was beached and sunk.

3) BRENNAN, CHRISTOPHER

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Ireland. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 17, 10 July 1863. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Mississippi during attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and during the taking of New Orleans, 24-25 April 1862. Taking part in the actions which resulted in the damaging of the Mississippi and several casualties on it, Brennan showed skill and courage throughout the entire engagements which resulted in the taking of St. Philip and Jackson and in the surrender of New Orleans.

4) BUCK, JAMES

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1808, Baltimore, Md. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip and at the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Although severely wounded by a heavy splinter, Buck continued to perform his duty until positively ordered below. Later stealing back to his post, he steered the ship for 8 hours despite his critical condition. His bravery was typical of the type which resulted in the taking of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in the capture of New Orleans.

5) FARRELL, EDWARD

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1833, Saratoga, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Owasco during the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862. Stationed at the masthead during these operations, Farrell observed and reported the effect of the fire of our guns in such a manner as to make his intelligence, coolness and capacity conspicuous.

6) FLOOD, THOMAS

Rank and organization: Boy, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Pensacola in the attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and at the taking of new Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Swept from the bridge by a shell which wounded the signal quartermaster, Flood returned to the bridge after assisting the wounded man below and taking over his duties, "Performed them with coolness, exactitude and the fidelity of a veteran seaman. His intelligence and character cannot be spoken of too warmly."

7) FRISBEE, JOHN B.

Rank and organization: Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1822, Maine, Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S. Steam Gunboat Pinola during action against Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and during the taking of New Orleans, 24 April 1862. While engaged in the bombardment of Fort St. Philip, Frisbee, acting courageously and without personal regard, closed the powder magazine which had been set afire by enemy shelling and shut off his avenue of escape, thereby setting a high example of bravery. He served courageously throughout these engagements which resulted in the taking of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in the surrender of New Orleans.

8) GREENE, JOHN

Rank and organization: Captain of the Forecastle, U.S. Navy. Entered service at: New York. Birth:------. G.O. No. 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and while under fire and ramming by the rebel ship Morgan, 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range while his ship was under furious fire and twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, Greene remained steadfast at his gun throughout the thickest of the fight and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the Varuna, badly damaged and forced to beach, was finally sunk.

9) HOLLAT, GEORGE

Rank and organization: Third Class Boy, U.S. Navy. Entered service at: New York. Birth: -----. G.O. No.: 1 I, 3 April 1863. Citation: Hollat served as third class boy on board the U.S.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862. He rendered gallant service through the perilous action and remained steadfast and courageous at his battle station despite extremely heavy fire and the ramming of the Varuna by the rebel ship Morgan, continuing his efforts until his ship, repeatedly holed and fatally damaged, was beached and sunk.

10) LYONS, THOMAS

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Salem, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 169, 8 February, 1872. Citation: Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Pensacola in the attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862. Carrying out his duties throughout the din and roar of the battle, Lyons never once erred in his brave performance. Lashed outside of that vessel, on the port-sheet chain, with the lead in hand to lead the ship past the forts, Lyons never flinched, although under a heavy fire from the forts and rebel gunboats.

11) MARTIN, WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1839, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862. His ship was taken under furious fire by the rebel Morgan and severely damaged by ramming. Steadfast at his station through the thickest of the fight, Martin inflicted damage on the enemy, remaining cool and courageous although the Varuna, so badly damaged that she was forced to beach, was finally sunk.

12) McGOWAN, JOHN

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1831, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: McGowan occupied one of the most responsible positions on the U.S.S. Varuna during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in action against the rebel ship Morgan on 24 April 1862. Although guns were raking the decks from behind him, McGowan remained steadfast at the wheel throughout the thickest of the fight, continuing at his station and rendering service with the greatest courage and skill until his ship, repeatedly holed and twice rammed by the enemy, was beached and sunk.

13) McKNIGHT, WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840 Ulster County, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in action against the rebel ship Morgan, 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range, while his ship was under furious fire and was twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, McKnight remained steadfast at his gun throughout the thickest of the fight and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the Varuna, so badly damaged that she was forced to beach, was finally sunk.

14) McLEOD, JAMES

Rank and organization: Captain of the Foretop, U.S. Navy. Born: Scotland. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Captain of foretop, and a volunteer from the Colorado, McLeod served on board the U.S.S. Pensacola during the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Acting as gun captain of the rifled howitzer aft which was much exposed, he served this piece with great ability and activity, although no officer superintended it.

15) PARKER, WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Captain of the Afterguard, U.S. Navy. Birth: Boston, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: At the wheel on board the U.S.S. Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and Jackson, and New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to stern, Parker conscientiously performed his duties throughout the action in which attempts by 3 rebel steamers to butt and board were thwarted, and the ships driven off. Eleven gunboats were successfully engaged and the enemy garrisons forced to surrender during this battle in which the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.

16) PECK, OSCAR E.

Rank and organization: Second Class Boy, U.S. Navy. Born: 1848, Bridgeport, Conn. Accredited to: Connecticut. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Peck served as second_class boy on board the Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862. Acting as powder boy of the after rifle, Peck served gallantly while the Varuna was repeatedly attacked and rammed and finally sunk. This was an extremely close_range action and, although badly damaged, the Varuna delivered shells abaft the Morgan's armor.

17) RICHARDS, LOUIS

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1835, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: Richards served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Pensacola in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Through all the din and roar of battle, he steered the ship through the narrow opening of the barricade, and his attention to orders contributed to the successful passage of the ship without once fouling the shore or the obstacles of the barricade.

18) SHUTES, HENRY

Rank and organization: Captain of the Forecastle, U.S. Navy. Born: 1804, Baltimore, Md. Accredited to: Maryland. G.O. No.: 71, 15 January 1866. Citation: Served as captain of the forecastle on board the U.S.S. Wissahickon during the battle of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862; and in the engagement at Fort McAllister, 27 February 1863. Going on board the U.S.S. Wissahickon from the U.S.S. Don where his seamanlike qualities as gunner's mate were outstanding, Shutes performed his duties with skill and courage. Showing a presence of mind and prompt action when a shot from Fort McAllister penetrated the Wissahickon below the water line and entered the powder magazine, Shutes contributed materially to the preservation of the powder and safety of the ship.

19) WRIGHT, EDWARD

Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1829, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and Jackson and the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to stern Wright conscientiously performed his duties throughout the action in which attempts by 3 rebel steamers to butt and board were repelled, and the ships driven off or forced to surrender. Eleven gunboats were successfully engaged and the enemy garrisons captured during this battle in which the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.

20) YOUNG, WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate, U.S. navy. Born: 1835, New York. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and Jackson and the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to stern, Young calmly manned a Parrot gun throughout the action in which attempts by three rebel steamers to butt and board were thwarted and the ships driven off or captured, 11 gunboats were successfully engaged and garrisons forced to surrender. During the battle, the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.

The Trans-Mississippi and the Medal of Honor, Part II

In my last blog posting, I presented some findings relating to Medals of Honor awarded for acts of bravery in the trans-Mississippi. I mentioned that

“The trans-Mississippi action that resulted in the most Medals of Honor awarded were the twenty issued to sailors for their actions at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip. Five were issued for actions during the battle of Wilson’s Creek, and four were issued for acts of bravery during the battle of Pea Ridge.” In an oversight, I neglected to mention that six sailors received the Medal of Honor for their actions aboard the U. S. S. Signal while fighting against a Confederate battery above Fort DeRussy on May 5, 1864. The action was a disaster for Union forces. Thanks to Steve Mayeux for pointing out my oversight!

The following are the men who won a Medal of Honor for actions that occurred in the trans-Mississippi in 1861. The list is arranged chronologically:

1) BOQUET, NICHOLAS

Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 1st Iowa Infantry. Place and date: At Wilsons Creek, Mo., 10 August 1861. Entered service at: Burlington, Iowa. Born: 14 November 1842, Germany. Date of issue: 16 February 1897. Citation: Voluntarily left the line of battle, and, exposing himself to imminent danger from a heavy fire of the enemy, assisted in capturing a riderless horse at large between the lines and hitching him to a disabled gun, saved the gun from capture.

2) IMMELL, LORENZO D.

Rank and organization: Corporal, Company F, 2d U.S. Artillery. Place and date: At Wilsons Creek, Mo., 10 August 1861. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ross, Ohio. Date of issue: 19 July 1890. Citation: Bravery in action.

3) SCHOFIELD, JOHN M.

Rank and organization: Major, 1st Missouri Infantry. Place and date: At Wilsons Creek, Mo., 10 August 1861. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Born: 29 September 1831, Gerry, N.Y. Date of issue: 2 July 1892. Citation: Was conspicuously gallant in leading a regiment in a successful charge against the enemy.

4) WHERRY, WILLIAM M.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company D, 3d U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry. Place and date: At Wilsons Creek, Mo., 10 August 1861. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Born: 13 September 1836, St. Louis, Mo. Date of issue: 30 October 1895. Citation: Displayed conspicuous coolness and heroism in rallying troops that were recoiling under heavy fire.

5) WOOD, H. CLAY

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 11th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Wilsons Creek, Mo., 10 August 1861. Entered service at: Winthrop, Maine. Birth: Winthrop, Maine. Date of issue: 28 October 1893. Citation: Distinguished gallantry.

6) PALMER, GEORGE H.

Rank and organization: Musician, 1st Illinois Cavalry. Place and date. At Lexington, Mo., 20 September 1861. Entered service at: Illinois. Birth: New York. Date of issue. 10 March 1896. Citation: Volunteered to fight in the trenches and also led a charge which resulted in the recapture of a Union hospital, together with Confederate sharpshooters then occupying the same.

7) BELL, GEORGE

Rank and organization: Captain of the Afterguard, U.S. Navy. Born: 12 March 1839, England. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 17, 10 July 1863. Citation: Served as pilot of the U.S.S. Santee when that vessel was engaged in cutting out the rebel armed schooner Royal Yacht from Galveston Bay, 7 November 1861, and evinced more coolness, in passing the 4 forts and the rebel steamer General Rusk, than was ever before witnessed by his commanding officer. "Although severely wounded in the encounter, he displayed extraordinary courage under the most painful and trying circumstances."

The Trans-Mississippi and the Medal of Honor

Recently, I wondered how many Medals of Honor had been awarded for actions in the trans-Mississippi during the Civil War. So….I found out! There are several lists of the 1,522 recipients of the Medal of Honor during the Civil War on the internet. I used the A-L list and the M-Z list from the U. S. Army’s Center of Military History website. After studying this list, I pulled out the listings for those men who earned a Medal of Honor for actions in the trans-Mississippi. As with any list of this type some decisions had to be made about which men to include. I decided to include the twenty sailors who won the honor for their actions at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip near New Orleans in April 1862. Was this really a trans-Mississippi action? Well, at least part of it was so I included these men. Also, I included two sailors who received citations for actions aboard the U. S. S. Louisville in early 1863; their citations are vaguely worded but may include actions by the ship at Arkansas Post in 1863.

With those caveats, here are some statistics that may be of interest to you:

The total number of soldiers and sailors who received the Medal of Honor for actions in the trans-Mississippi totaled 68; that equals approximately 4.5% of all the Medals of Honor issued during the war. Not a very big percentage is it?

Of the 68 Medals awarded, 48.5% were given to those who served in the Army and 51.4% were given to members of the Navy.

The trans-Mississippi action that resulted in the most Medals of Honor awarded were the twenty issued to sailors for their actions at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip. Five were issued for actions during the battle of Wilson’s Creek, and four were issued for acts of bravery during the battle of Pea Ridge.

The number of Medals of Honor awarded by year:

1861=7
1862=30
1863=11
1864=18
1865=2

The number of Medals of Honor awarded for action in a specific state or territory (if a state or territory is not listed then no Medal of Honor was awarded for action in that place):

Arkansas=13
Arizona Territory=1
Kansas=4
Louisiana=40
Missouri=8
Texas=2

Three army units had three Medal of Honor recipients each. They were:

37^th Illinois Infantry
3^rd Iowa Cavalry
3^rd Wisconsin Cavalry

Two sets of brothers received Medals of Honor in the trans-Mississippi. They were:

William C. Black and John C. Black of the 37^th Illinois Infantry

James B. Pond and George F. Pond of the 3^rd Wisconsin Cavalry

Future blog postings will provide the list of all 68 men with a description of their act of valor.

Celebrating the Fourth of July

The following primary accounts document how Union soldiers in the trans-Mississippi celebrated Independence Day; their Confederate counterparts apparently ignored the holiday. Some Union soldiers in Arkansas on July 4, 1863, had a special “celebration” as they fought in the battle of Helena, and on the same day, northern soldiers at Vicksburg, Mississippi, enjoyed a double event as they celebrated the nation’s birthday and the surrender of the Confederate defenders.

Near Grand River, Missouri (1861):
“The next day was that popularly-supposed-to-be-ever-glorious institution, the Fourth of July, and as the men laid down their sore and wearied bodies, they fondly dreamed of a holiday and rest on the morrow. About 3 A.M., the roll of drums awoke them to ‘celebrate,’ which they did by striking their tents in double quick, packing up their baggage, and then making tracks towards the inevitable southwest. All day long we ‘celebrated’ by marching ahead amid clouds of dust and beneath a sun what would broil a mackerel; ‘celebrated’ by limping wearily along at the rate of three miles an hour; ‘celebrated’ by cursing the heat, the dust, Claib. Jackson, and things generally. Not a gun was fired, nary speech, no firecrackers, nobody to speak, and nothing to drink in honor, etc., of the day. Nothing in short peculiar to the day except a procession under charge of Chief Marshal Gen. Lyon” (p. 101-102).

Banasik, Michael E., ed. Missouri In 1861: The Civil War Letters of Franc B. Wilkie, Newspaper Correspondent. Unwritten Chapters of the Civil War West of the River, Volume IV. Iowa City: Camp Pope Bookshop, 2001.

Tucson, Arizona Territory (1862):
“The ‘glorious Fourth’ was celebrated in this place yesterday by the California column, and the people generally, with a good deal of warmth (no play upon the weather is intended; although the thermometer was rising 108 in the shade.) Captain Shinn’s battery fired a Federal salute at sunrise, and a National salute at meridian. The usual drills, etc., were dispensed with, and the soldiers enjoyed a holiday, and I am proud to add, that despite the latitude allowed them by the relaxation of military discipline, the best order and regularity prevailed. In the evening there were two bailes or dances, one for the officers and another for the men. As I did not visit either, I can give no account of them further than that there were an unusual number of headaches on the day following” (p. 220).

Masich, Andrew E. The Civil War in Arizona: The Story Of The California Volunteers, 1861-1865. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006.

Pilot Knob, Missouri (1863):
“At sunrise a salute by the thirty-two pounders of Fort Curtis was fired, and at the same time, the reveille of the field band and bugles woke us up….During the course of the day, almost all of the officers got pretty drunk. Every company in the camp received half a keg of beer. Of course, there were a great many drunks. At nine o’clock in the morning, the preacher gave a speech inside the unfinished fort. My duty prevented me from hearing it to the end. The beginning was quite good. At noon two six-pounder howitzers fired another salvo….They were the first shells I had seen being shot and exploding….Their whistling in the air does not exactly sound pleasant, but it is pretty to see them explode….The result of all that beer was excessive drunkenness and then fights!” (p. 184-185)

Potter, James E. and Edith Robbins, eds. Marching With The First Nebraska: A Civil War Diary. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007.

Fort Gibson, Indian Territory (1863):
“To-day being the 4^th, or Independence Day, a national salute of thirty-four guns was fired this morning at sunrise, by Hopkins’ battery. The sunrise was unusually fine, and the mountains in the distance, just before the first rays of the sun fell on the plain below, seemed more charming than at any other time since we have been encamped here. Though we have not had a barbecue to-day with all the delicacies of the season, we have made the best of that which we had. Most of the messes have had either rice, or beans, or hominy, or wheat, with coffee and fresh beef” (p. 313-314).

Britton, Wiley. Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border: 1863. Chicago: Cushing, Thomas & Co., 1882; reprint ed., Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.

College Looted!

War swept through the Arkansas plateau known as Cane Hill on November 28, 1862, during the Prairie Grove campaign. Among the communities in the area was Boonsboro (now known as Canehill), the home of Cane Hill College. This institution, established in 1834, evolved into a four year college in 1852. Following the fighting in the area, Union soldiers settled in for several days. Among them was an Ohio artilleryman named Robert T. McMahan who chronicled some “jayhawking” in his diary. In McMahan’s words:

“November 28, 1862….We camped in the boro and buried one or two of the rebel dead. Bookstore plundered. Cane Hill College suffered to the extent of the loss of her libraries (in part) and her chemical apparatus in toto. There was several shells fired by our men into the meetinghouse by the college as the rebels had posted themselves near and around it….

November 30, 1862: On guard last night and today. Search made this morning for Jayhawked property. Four books found in the battery. I had more than that rolled up in my blankets which they however did not see fit to examine?? My first hawking too. Young man in the 3^rd Wis. [cavalry] tied up to a tree for three hours because he had the telescope from the Cane Hill College… (3 feet long).”

And what did McMahan jawhawk? Apparently the following items…

“December 1, 1862: Am now flush with Geological works. Have Hitchcock’s Geology, Hugh Miller’s food and fruits and Humbolt’s Cosmos Volumes 1 and 2” (p. 83-84).

Robert T. McMahan’s diary is part of the excellent Unwritten Chapters of the Civil War West of the River series edited by Michael E. Banasik and published by the Camp Pope Bookshop of Iowa City, Iowa.