American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on September 2, 1897, for his actions as a corporal with Company D, 1st Michigan Cavalry, US Army, on March 14, 1864 at Mason's Hill, Virginia. He joined the Union Army in 1861 and on March 14, 1864 he and another soldier were scouting in the thick forests near Mason's Hill, which was used by the Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry as an outpost as well as a signaling post, when they were suddenly ambushed by four heavily-armed guerrillas, who took them to another group of captured prisoners. He overpowered the guards and, with the other prisoners, managed to make their way back to the Union lines. Following the war, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska and died there at the age of 77. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Having been surprised and captured by a detachment of guerrillas, this soldier, with other prisoners, seized the arms of the guard over them, killed 2 of the guerrillas, and enabled all the prisoners to escape."
American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on September 2, 1897, for his actions as a corporal with Company D, 1st Michigan Cavalry, US Army, on March 14, 1864 at Mason's Hill, Virginia. He joined the Union Army in 1861 and on March 14, 1864 he and another soldier were scouting in the thick forests near Mason's Hill, which was used by the Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry as an outpost as well as a signaling post, when they were suddenly ambushed by four heavily-armed guerrillas, who took them to another group of captured prisoners. He overpowered the guards and, with the other prisoners, managed to make their way back to the Union lines. Following the war, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska and died there at the age of 77. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Having been surprised and captured by a detachment of guerrillas, this soldier, with other prisoners, seized the arms of the guard over them, killed 2 of the guerrillas, and enabled all the prisoners to escape."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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