American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on June 8, 1865 for his actions as a captain with Company H, 119th Illinois Infantry, US Army, on April 9, 1865 at the Battle of Fort Blakely, Alabama, at the end of the American Civil War. His Medal of Honor reads: "While leading his company in an assault, Capt. McConnell braved an intense fire that mowed down his unit. Upon reaching the breastworks he found that he had only one member of his company with him, Pvt. Wagner. He was so close to an enemy gun that the blast knocked him down a ditch. Getting up, he entered the gun pit, the gun crew fleeing before him. About 30 paces away he saw a Confederate flag bearer and guard which he captured with the last shot in his pistol."
American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on June 8, 1865 for his actions as a captain with Company H, 119th Illinois Infantry, US Army, on April 9, 1865 at the Battle of Fort Blakely, Alabama, at the end of the American Civil War. His Medal of Honor reads: "While leading his company in an assault, Capt. McConnell braved an intense fire that mowed down his unit. Upon reaching the breastworks he found that he had only one member of his company with him, Pvt. Wagner. He was so close to an enemy gun that the blast knocked him down a ditch. Getting up, he entered the gun pit, the gun crew fleeing before him. About 30 paces away he saw a Confederate flag bearer and guard which he captured with the last shot in his pistol."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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