NJ MOH

Sources: Medal of Honor Recipients US Army Center of Military History American Civil War Research Database Bilby, Joseph G. and William C. Goble. “Remember You Are Jerseymen:” A

Military History of New Jersey’s Troops in the Civil War. Hightstown, NJ:

Longstreet House, 1998 . Eckhardt, Charles and Robert MacAvoy. Our Brothers Gone Before (2 vols).

Hightstown, NJ: Longstreet House, 2006 Cornelia Hancock, the New Jersey born civilian field nurse serving the injured and

infirmed of the Union Army during the American Civil War. New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is a subcommittee of New Jersey Civil War Heritage Assn, PO Box 442, Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 Info@njcivilwar150.org

ARMY – New Jersey Regiments Beach, John P. (also known as John P. Beech) Rank and

organization: Sergeant, Company B, 4th New Jersey

Infantry. Place and date: At Spotsylvania Courthouse, Va.,

May 12, 1864. Entered service at: Trenton, N. J. Born: May

1, 1844, Stratfordshire, England. Date of issue: June 5,

1894. Citation: Voluntarily assisted in working the guns of a

battery, all the members of which had been killed or

wounded. Beach died November 27, 1926, and was buried

in Mercer Cemetery in Trenton. Brant, William. Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Company B, 1st New Jersey

Veteran Battalion. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., April 3, 1865. Entered

service at: Trenton, N.J. Birth: Elizabeth, N.J. Date of issue: May 10, 1865.

Citation: “Capture of battle flag of 46th North Carolina (C.S.A.).” Brant died

March 1, 1898, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside, N.J. Clancy, James T. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 1st New

Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At Vaughn Road, Va., October 1, 1864. Entered

service at: Camden, N.J. Born: 1833, Albany, N.Y. Date of issue: July 3, 1865.

Citation: “Shot the Confederate General Dunovant dead during a charge, thus

confusing the enemy and greatly aiding in his repulse.” Connor, Richard. Rank and organization. Private, Company F, 6th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Bull

Run, Va., August 30, 1862. Entered service at: Burlington, N.J. Born: December 23, 1840, Philadelphia, Pa. Date

of issue: September 17, 1897. Citation: “The flag of his regiment having been abandoned during retreat, he

voluntarily returned with a single companion under a heavy fire and secured and brought off the flag, his

companion being killed.” Connor died November 4, 1923, in Philadelphia and was buried in North Cedar Hills

Cemetery in Philadelphia. Cummings, Amos J. Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 26th New Jersey Infantry. Place and

date: At Salem Heights, Va., May 4, 1863. Entered service at: Irvington, N.J. Born: May 15, 1838,

Conklin, N.Y. Date of issue. March 28, 1894. Citation: “Rendered great assistance in the heat of the

action in rescuing a part of the field batteries from an extremely dangerous and exposed position.”

Cummings died May 2, 1902, and was buried in Clinton Cemetery, Irvington, N.J. See also: Beneath the

Starry Flag: New Jersey in the Civil War Drake, J. Madison. Rank and organization: 2d Lieutenant, Company D, 9th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 6, 1864. Entered service at: Elizabeth, N.J. Born: March 25, 1837,

Washington Valley, N.J. Date of issue: March 3, 1873. Citation: “Commanded the skirmish line in the

advance and held his position all day and during the night.” Drake died at his home in Elizabeth, N.J. on

November 28, 1913, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside, N.J. See also: These books by Drake English, Edmund. Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company C, 2d New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Entered service at: Newark, N.J. Born: November 16, 1841, County

Tipperary, Ireland. Date of issue: February 13, 1891. Citation: “During a rout and while under orders to retreat

seized the colors, rallied the men, and drove the enemy back.” English died May 27, 1912, in Philadelphia, Pa.

and was buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia. Fesq, Frank. (also known as Franz Fesq) Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 40th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865. Entered service at: Newark, N.J. Born: April 4, 1840, Germany.

Date of issue: May 10, 1865. Citation: “Capture of flag of 18th North Carolina (C.S.A.) within the enemy's works.”

Fesq died in Orange, N.J. on May 6, 1920, and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Orange. Hooper, William B. Rank and organization: Corporal, Company L, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At

Chamberlains Creek, Va., March 31, 1865. Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J. Birth: Willimantic, Conn. Date of

issue: July 3, 1865. Citation: “With the assistance of a comrade, headed off the advance of the enemy, shooting

two of his color bearers; also posted himself between the enemy and the led horses of his own command, thus

saving the herd from capture.” Hooper died on January 16, 1870, in Caldera, Chile and was buried in Old

Willimantic Cemetery, Windham, Ct. Hopkins, Charles F. Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 1st New Jersey Infantry.

Place and date: At Gaines Mill, Va., June 27, 1862. Entered service at: Trenton, N.J. Born: May

16, 1842, Hope, N.J. Date of issue: July 9, 1892. Citation: “Voluntarily carried a wounded

comrade [Sergeant Richard Donnelly], under heavy fire, to a place of safety; though twice

wounded in the act, he continued in action until again severely wounded.” Hopkins died on

February 14, 1934, the last surviving Civil War Medal of Honor recipient from New Jersey. He

was buried in Greenwood cemetery in Boonton. Also See: The Andersonville Diary & Memoirs of

Charles Hopkins, 1st New Jersey Infantry Locke, Lewis. Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At Paines

Crossroads, Va., April 5, 1865. Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J. Birth: Clintonville, N.Y. Date of issue: May 3,

1865. Citation: “Capture of a Confederate flag.” Locke died in 1892, in Ashuelot, N.H. McGee, William. (Also known as Magee) Rank and organization: Drummer, Company C, 33d New Jersey

Infantry. Place and date: At Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 5, 1864. Entered service at: Newark, N.J. Born: May

13, 1849, Newark, N.J. Date of issue: February 7, 1866. Citation: “In a charge, was among the first to reach a

battery of the enemy and, with one or two others, mounted the artillery horses and took two guns into the Union

lines.” Serious doubt has been cast on the validity of this award. Also see: Drummer Boy Willie McGee, Civil War Hero

and Fraud Oss, Albert. Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 11th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At

Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Entered service at: Newark, N.J. Born: 1818, Belgium. Date of issue: May 6,

1892. Citation: “Remained in the rifle pits after the others had retreated, firing constantly, and contesting the

ground step by step.” Oss died in Kearny, N.J. on December 18, 1898, and was buried in Holy Sepulchure

Cemetery in East Orange, N.J. Porter, William. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At

Sailors Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Entered service at: Trenton, N.J. Birth: New York, N.Y. Date of issue: July 3,

1865. Citation: “Among the first to check the enemy's countercharge.” Sagelhurst, John C. (Also known as Segelhurst) Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company B, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At Hatchers Run, Va., February 6, 1865. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Born: June 1,

1841, Buffalo, N.Y. Date of issue: January 3, 1906. Citation: “Under a heavy fire from the enemy carried off the

field a commissioned officer who was severely wounded and also led a charge on the enemy's rifle pits.”

Sagelhurst died on May 10, 1907, in Buffalo, N.Y. and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. Sewell, William J. Rank and organization: Colonel, 5th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At

Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Entered service at: Camden, N.J. Born: December 6, 1835,

Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. Date of issue: March 25, 1896. Citation: “Assuming command of a

brigade, he rallied around his colors a mass of men from other regiments and fought these troops with

great brilliancy through several hours of desperate conflict, remaining in command though wounded and

inspiring them by his presence and the gallantry of his personal example.” Sewell served as a N.J.

National Guard general and US Senator from N.J. after the war. He died in Camden on December 27,

1901, and was buried in Harleigh Cemetery in that city. Southard, David. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company C, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place

and date: At Sailors Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Entered service at: Florence, N.J. Born: 1845,

Jackson Township, Ocean County, N.J. Date of issue: July 3, 1865. Citation: “Capture of flag; and

was the first man over the works in the charge.” Southard died at Pennsylvania Hospital of

pneumonia on May 5, 1894, and was buried in the Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in New Egypt, N.J. Stewart, George W. Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company E, 1st New Jersey Cavalry.

Place and date: At Paines Crossroads, Va., 5 April 1865. Entered service at: Salem, N.J. Born:

March 25, 1839, Salem, N.J. Date of issue: May 3, 1865. Citation: “Capture of flag.” Stewart died on November 17, 1911, and was buried at New Camden Cemetery, New Camden, NJ. Streile, Christian. (also known as Straile) Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 1st New Jersey Cavalry.

Place and date: At Paine’s Crossroads, Va., April 5, 1865. Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J. Born: 1839,

Germany. Date of issue: May 3, 1865. Citation: “Capture of flag.” Streile died in New York City on December 4,

1886, and was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, N.Y. Taylor, Forrester L. Rank and organization: Captain, Company H, 23d New Jersey Infantry. Place

and date: At Chancellorsville. Va., May 3, 1863. Entered service at: Beverly, N.J. Born: October 30,

1833, Philadelphia, Pa. Date of issue: November 2, 1896. Citation: “At great risk voluntarily saved

the lives of and brought from the battlefield two wounded comrades.” Taylor died April 21, 1907, in

Virginia and was buried in a family cemetery. Titus, Charles. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At Sailors Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Entered service at: New Brunswick, N.J. Born: January 1, 1838,

Millstone, N.J. Date of issue: July 3, 1865. Citation: “Was among the first to check the enemy's countercharge.”

Titus died March 26, 1921, in Belmar, N.J. and buried in Glendola Cemetery, Wall Township, N.J. Toffey, John J. Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company G, 33d New Jersey Infantry. Place

and date: At Chattanooga, Tenn., November 23, 1863. Entered service at: Hudson County, N.J. Born:

June 1, 1844, Pawling, Dutchess County, N.Y. Date of issue: September 10, 1897. Citation: “Although

excused from duty on account of sickness, went to the front in command of a storming party and with

conspicuous gallantry participated in the assault of Missionary Ridge; was here wounded and

permanently disabled.” He died in Jersey City on March 13, 1911, and was buried in Pawling Cemetery,

Pawling, N.Y. See also: The Mutinous Regiment: The Thirty-Third New Jersey in the Civil War Tomkins, Aaron B. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company G, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At

Sailors Creek, Va., April 6 1865. Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J. Birth: February 15, 1844, Orange, Essex

County, N.J. Date of issue: July 3, 1865. Citation: “Charged into the enemy's ranks and captured a battle flag,

having a horse shot under him and his cheeks and shoulders cut with a saber.” Tompkins died November 25,

1931, in Orange, N.J. and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Orange. Wilson, Charles E. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At

Sailors Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Entered service at: Hatboro, Pa. Birth: Bucks County, Pa. Date of issue: July 3,

1865. Citation: “Charged the enemy's works, colors in hand, and had 2 horses shot from under him”. Wilson died

August 15, 1915, in Trenton, N.J. and was buried in Highland Cemetery, Hopewell, N.J. Wilson, John. Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company L, 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Place and date: At

Chamberlains Creek, Va., March 31, 1865. Entered service at: Jersey City, N.J. Birth: England. Date of issue: July

3, 1865. Citation: “With the assistance of one comrade, headed off the advance of the enemy, shooting two of his

color bearers; also posted himself between the enemy and the led horses of his own command, thus saving the

herd from capture.” US ARMY – New York Regiment Fallon, Thomas T. Rank and organization: Private, Company K, 37th New York Infantry. Place and date: At

Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862. At Fair Oaks, Va., May 30-31, 1862. Entered service at: Freehold, N.J. Birth:

August 12, 1837, County Galway, Ireland. Date of issue: February 13, 1891. Citation: “At Williamsburg, Va.,

assisted in driving rebel skirmishers to their main line. Participated in action at Fair Oaks, Va., though excused

from duty because of disability.” Fallon died August 26, 1916, and was buried at Saint Rose of Lima Cemetery,

Freehold, N.J. US NAVY Davis, John. Rank and organization: Quarter Gunner, U.S. Navy. Born: Cedarville, N.J. Accredited to: New

Jersey. G.O. No.: 11, April 3, 1863. Citation: “Served on board the U.S.S. Valley City during action against Rebel

fort batteries and ships off Elizabeth City, N.C., on 10 February 1862. When a shell from the shore penetrated the

side and passed through the magazine, exploding outside the screen on the berth deck, several powder division

protecting bulkheads were torn to pieces and the forward part of the berth deck set on fire. Showing great

presence of mind, Davis courageously covered a barrel of powder with his own body and prevented an explosion,

while at the same time passing powder to provide the division on the upper deck while under fierce enemy fire.” Kane, Thomas. Rank and organization: Captain of the Hold, U.S. Navy. Born: 1841 Jersey City, N.J. Accredited

to: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 84, October 3, 1867. Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Nereus during the attack on Fort

Fisher, on 15 January 1865. Kane, as captain of the hold, displayed outstanding skill and courage as his ship

maintained its well-directed fire against fortifications on shore despite the enemy's return fire. When a rebel

steamer was discovered in the river back of the fort, the Nereus, with forward rifle guns trained, drove the ship off

at the third fire. The gallant ship's participation contributed to the planting of the flag on one of the strongest

fortifications possessed by the rebels.” Strahan, Robert. Rank and organization: Captain of the Top, U.S. Navy. Birth: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 45,

December 31, 1864. Accredited to: New Jersey. Citation: “Served as captain of the top on board the U.S.S.

Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as captain of the No. 1

gun, Strahan carried out his duties in the face of heavy enemy fire and exhibited marked coolness and good

conduct throughout the engagement. Strahan was highly recommended by his division officer for his gallantry and

meritorious achievements.” Weeks, Charles H. Rank and organization: Captain of the Foretop, U.S. Navy. Born: 1837, New Jersey.

Accredited to: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 84, October 3, 1867. Citation: “Served as captain of the foretop on board the

U.S.S. Montauk, 21 September 1864. During the night of 21 September, when fire was discovered in the magazine lightroom of that vessel, causing a panic and demoralizing the crew, Weeks, notwithstanding the cry of "fire in the

magazine," displayed great presence of mind and rendered valuable service in extinguishing the flames which

were imperiling the ship and the men on board.” Whitfield, Daniel. Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1821, Newark, N.J. Accredited to:

New Jersey. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864. Citation: “Serving as quartermaster on board the U.S.S.

Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the rebel ram Tennessee in

Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Acting as captain of a gun, Whitfield coolly stood by his gun, holding on to the lock

string and waited alongside the rebel ram Tennessee until able to fire the shot that entered her port. Whitfield

courageously carried out his duties during the prolonged action which resulted in the capture of the prize ram

Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan.” Young, Edward B. Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1835, Bergen, N.J. Accredited to: New

Jersey. G.O. No.: 59, June 22, 1865. Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Galena during the attack on enemy forts at

Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Securely lashed to the side of the Oneida which had suffered the loss of her steering

apparatus and an explosion of her boiler from enemy fire, the Galena aided the stricken vessel past the enemy

forts to safety. Despite heavy damage to his ship from raking enemy fire, Young performed his duties with skill and courage throughout the action.” US NAVY – Born in New Jersey, Served from Massachusetts Thompson, William. Rank and organization: Signal Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Entered service at: Boston, Mass. Birth: Cape May County, N.J. G.O. No.: 17, July 10, 1863. Citation: “During action of the main squadron of ships

against heavily defended Forts Beauregard and Walker on Hilton Head, 7 November 1861. Serving as signal

quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Mohican, Thompson steadfastly steered the ship with a steady and bold heart

under the batteries; was wounded by a piece of shell but remained at his station until he fell from loss of blood.

Legs since amputated.” US Marine Corps Shivers, John. Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1830 Canada. Accredited to: New

Jersey. G.O. No.. 59, June 22, 1865. Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Minnesota, in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15

January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, Pvt. Shivers advanced to the top of

the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed or wounded many

officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he

remained with the party until dark when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms and its colors.” Tomlin, Andrew J. Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1844, Goshen, N.J. Accredited to: New Jersey. G.O. No.: 59, June 22, 1865. Citation: “As corporal of the guard on board the U.S.S. Wabash during

the assault on Fort Fisher, on 15 January 1865. As one of 200 marines assembled to hold a line of entrenchments in the rear of the fort which the enemy threatened to attack in force following a retreat in panic by more than two-

thirds of the assaulting ground forces, Cpl. Tomlin took position in line and remained until morning when relief

troops arrived from the fort. When one of his comrades was struck down by enemy fire, he unhesitatingly advanced under a withering fire of musketry into an open plain close to the fort and assisted the wounded man to a place of

safety.” Tomlin died on November 1, 1905, and was buried in the Methodist Church Cemetery in Goshen, N.J. - Joseph G. Bilby