The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Lt. James Madison Drake, 9th New Jersey Infantry

Won the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, May 6, 1864.  His citation reads that he commanded the skirmish line in the advance and held his position all day and during the night.  This is not exactly a description that would get you a Medal of Honor today.

However, the regiment spent much time in North Carolina during the war and were involved in fighting in the state after the fall of Wilmington before being mustered out of service in Goldsboro, NC, July 13, 1865.

The unit was called the Jersey Muskrats for their actions at the 1862 Battle of Roanoke, NC, where they formed in water for an attack.

As far as Drake, Wikipedia mentioned that he rejoined the 9th N.J., on Jan. 9, 1865, after being captured at Drewry's Bluff but escaped from a train en route to prison in South Carolina and worked his way across Confederate territory until rejoining the Union Army.

I Bet He Would Have Some Interesting Stories.  --Old Secesh

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