Medals of Honor at Gettysburg

Since I have been writing about Richard Enderlin receiving a Medal of Honor for what he did at the Battle of Gettysburg, I decided to take a look at other Medals of Honor given at this, the arguably biggest battle of the war.

From the National Medal of Honor Museum "The Battle of Gettysburg and the Medal of Honor."

Ten different Union soldiers earned their Medal of Honor on the first day, July 1.

Twenty-two different soldiers earned it on the second day (including Richard Enderlin), July 2.

Thirty-two Union soldiers won theirs on the 3rd day, July 3.

This was more than any other single battle in the Eastern Theater of the war.  Only twenty received their Medal during the Civil War.  Forty more were awarded between 1897 and 1905.  The last Medal of Honor recipient from Gettysburg, Corporal Thaddeus  Smith of the 6th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, would die in March  1933.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Sgt. Henry H. Taylor: Early Military Career

From the Encyclopedia Dubuque, (Iowa)

Assigned to the 45th Illinois on November 20, 1861.  The regiment was officially mustered into federal service on December 25, 1861, in Camp Douglas, Chicago.

The 45th would fight in many major battles including Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh,  Corinth, Vicksburg Campaign, Atlanta Campaign and the Carolina's Campaign.

Taylor mustered in as a private and rose to the rank of sergeant of Company C where he became the color bearer.

It was during the Vicksburg Campaign that Henry Taylor merited the Medal of Honor.  On June 30, 1863, after the reduction of the Third Louisiana Redan, by an underground mine, the infantry was sent into the breach.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Sgt. Henry H. Taylor- Part 2

This is also called the Battle of Vicksburg Crater.  Explosives were placed in a mine under this part of the Confederate defensive lines and exploded, creating a huge gap in their lines.  Union infantry was sent in.  (I have also been writing about the 27th USCT regiment which went on a similar mission to exploit the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg and later participated in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher in my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy blog.)

The 45th Illinois was part of U.S. Brigadier General Mortimer D. Leggett's First Brigade, assigned to U.S. Major General John Logan's First Division of Major General James B. McPherson's XVII Corps.

The regiment was led by Colonel Jasper Maltby and rushed into the gaping hole left by the detonation of the mine in what Gen. Leggett describd as "desperate" fighting.  Taylor, as color bearer was in the front of the regiment.

As they clawed their way to the top of the Third Louisiana Redan, Sgt, Taylor planted the regiment's colors on the works.  The fighting would continue until late in the night.  The federaal troops eventually pulled back 75 feet to a position they held until the city's surrender on July 4, 1863.

Taylor received his Medal of Honor during the fight which also became known as "General Logan's Canal."

After the surrender, the 45th Illinois was the first regiment into the city.

Taylor remained with the 45th until he was mustered out on September 8, 1864, when his three year term of enlistment expired.

After the war, he and his wife Margery, lived in Wyandotte, Kansas, where he worked as a banker.

--Old Secesh

Sgt. Henry H. Taylor, Medal of Honor Recipient from Galena's 45th Illinois Infantry

I wrote about him back on April 13.  He will be having a bust dedicated in Galena this Saturday.

From Wikipedia.

Received the country's highest military honor for action at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on June 25, 1863.  Received the Medal of Honor on 1 September 1893.

He was born in Galena, Illinois, on July 4, 1841, and enlisted in Company C of the 45th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in Galena.  He died on May 3, 1909 and is buried  in Clay Center, Kansas.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:

"Was the first to plant the Union colors upon the enemy's works."

--Old Secesh

Richard Enderlin to Be Inducted Into Ohio's Military Hall of Fame for Valor This May

From the April 18, 2023, Chillicothe (Ohio) News "Recognized  for service:  Local Civil War veteran once saved the life of Nixon's great grandfather" by Shelby Reeves.

Quite the coincidence that I had just found out about Richard Enderlin in the last few weeks and to come across this article.  Like I said, you never know where you're going to go when you start RoadTripping Through History.

Richard Enderlin is getting another honor next month.

The Ohio Military Hall of Fame and Valor was established in 2000 to recognize Ohio servicemen and women who were decorated for heroism while in combat situations.

He is one of 11 members of this year's class to be inducted after his death.  There are a total of 24 honorees who served from trhe Civil War to Operation Enduring Freedom.

His Medal of Honor and another medal are on display at the Ross County  Heritage Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.

--Old Secesh

Richard Enderlin's Statue Returns to Chillicothe's Yoctangee Park

From the July 1, 2021,  littermedia "Civil War statue returns to Yoctangee Park" by Mike Smith.

The statue at the head of Chillicothe's Yoctangee Park was damaged by a traffic crash in December 2019.  It has now been repaired and returned to its pedestal.

Although Richard Enderlin's name appears on the pedestral, the Union soldier statue is not him, but represents the men who served with him.

Its return on June 30th comes just in time to commemorate the 158 years since Medal of Honor recipient Richard Enderlin "voluntarily took a rifle and served  as a soldier in the ranks during the first and second days of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Voluntarily and at his imminent peril went into the enemy's lines at night and, under a sharp fire, rescued a wounded comrade."

The inscription of it reads:

"Erected 1917 by Richard Enderlin, Co. B, 73 Regt. O.V.V.I. to the memory of his comrades who helped preserve the Union.  LOYALTY"

It is so refreshing to see statues being returned instead of removed or torn down.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Richard Enderlin-- Part 3: Medal of Honor and a Long Life

I found out that both George Nixon and Richard Enderlin were in the same Company B of the 73rd Ohio.

For his extraordinary courage, Richard Enderlin was promoted to sergeant the next day.  He continued his duties as musician until seriously wounded himself in the spring of 1864.  He finished the war in the Veteran Reserve Corps.

Then on September 11, 1897, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Enderlin went on to live a long life and died February 11, 1930 and is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio, his hometown.  Chillicothe had  a memorial to Enderlin outside of Yoctangee Park.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Richard Enderlin, Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 2

From the July 6, 2020, "Medal of Honor Monday:  Army Sgt. Richard Enderelin" by Katie Lange.

Richard Enderlin was born in Baden, Germany on January 11, 1843, but grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio.  As a member of Company B of the 73rd Ohio, he found himself at the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863.  

He voluntarily joined in the defense of Cemetery Ridge, thinking that his unit was not directly involved in the battle.  But it turned out that this ridge, in the middle of the Union defense was the main object of Confederate attacks.

He earned his Medal of Honor during the night of July 2-3 when he rescued Private George Nixon, the great-grandfather of future President Richard Nixon.  According to the National Civil War Museum, George Nixon had been seriously wounded and lay between Cemetery Ridge and the Confederate position.

After hearing Nixon's cries of pain, Enderlin put down his instrument (he was a musician) and picked up a rifle and went to Nixon's exposed position at great peril and under heavy fire and dragged him back to safety.

Unfortunately, Nixon did not survive his wounds.  He died several years later and is buried at the National Cemetery at Gettysburg.

--Old Secesh

Richard Enderlin, Medal of Honor Recipient: His MoH Citation

Rank and Organization:  Musician, Company B, 73rd Ohio Infantry.

Place and Date:    Gettysburg, Pennsylvania  1-3 July 1863

Entered service:  At Chillicothe, Ohio

Birth:  Germany

Date of Issue:  September 11, 1897

**************************

CITATION

"The President of the United States on America in the name of  Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Musician Richard Enderlin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism from 1 to 3 July 1863, while serving with Comapny B, 73rd Ohio Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

"Musician Enderlin voluntarily took a rifle and served as a soldier in the ranks during the first and second days of the battle.  Voluntarily and at his own imminent peril, went  into the enemy's lines at night and, under sharp fire, rescued a wounded comrade."  (That would be President Nixon's great-grandfather.)

--Old Secesh

Richard Enderlin, Medal of Honor Recipient: Helped President Nixon's Grandfather

From Wikipedia.

Born January 11, 1843 -- Died February 11, 1930

Was a musician and U.S. soldier who received a Medal of Honor  for heroism in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Born in Germany and grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio.  Enlisted in the Army in November 1861.

He thought his unit was not directly engaged in the Battle of Gettysburg, so the bugler voluntarily joined the defense of Cemetery Ridge.  In July 2, 1863, during combat, George Nixon III (the grandfather of President Richard Nixon) was mortally wounded and was carried out of harm's way by Enderlin.

For this action, he was promoted to sergeant the next day and received a Medal of Honor for it on September 11, 1897.

He was later wounded in the foot at the Battle of Dallas (in the Atlanta Campaign).  He served the rest of the war in the  Veteran Reserve Corps until his discharge in May 1865.

Enderlin is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio.

--Old Secesh

RoadTrippin' Time, Chillicothe's Grandview Cemetery

In my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy blog I have been writing about the 27th USCT (United States Colored Troops) Infantry Regiment which took part in the Battle of Fort Fisher.

I found that two members of the 27th had a last name of Butler and were buried in Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio.  In keeping with my RoadTripping Through History thing, I had to take a look at others buried in this cemetery and see if any were of special interest.  They were.

Also, this cemetery obviously was not a segregated one.

There were quite a few governors, Congressmen and Senators from Ohio along with several Civil War brevet generals and one Medal of Honor recipient.  Also, several veterans from the War of 1812.  I will be writing about the Civil War men in this blog.  The War of 1812 men will be in my Not So Forgotten:  War of 1812 blog.

The Civil War generals were Joseph Scott Fullerton, Joshua Woodrow Sill and Richard Long, Jr.  The Medal of Honor recipient was Richard Enderlin.

--Old Secesh

Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Henry H. Taylor of 45th Illinois Infantry Bust Dedication April 29

From the April 10, 2023, The Reconstruction Era" blog.  "Sgt. Henry Taylor Vicksburg Medal of Honor winner will have bust dedicated  April 29, 2023."

I have been writing a lot recently about the Galena, Illinois' 45th Infantry Regiment from the Civil War and came across this post in this blog.  Something I am considering attending.

Taylor was born and raised in the Galena area (northwest Illinois) in Jo Daviess County.  The memorial will be coordinated  with the 2023 U.S. Grant Pilgrimage (a Boy Scout function), Blackhawk Area Council and Boy Scouts of America.  The community is invited to  attend the event and brief ceremony.

The Fickbohm-Hissem Post 193, American Legion Department of Illinois is the coordinating post for the event.

--Old Secesh

This Month in the Civil War: Fort Sumter, Lincoln Assassinated, Johnston Surrenders, Booth Killed

APRIL 12, 1861

**  Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina.

**  APRL 14, 1865

** Abraham Lincoln shot at Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.

APRIL 15, 1865

**  Abraham Lincoln dies.  Andrew Johnson sworn in as President of the United States.

APRIL 16, 1862

**  District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act passes.

APRIL 18, 1865

**  USA General William T. Sherman and CSA General Joseph E. Johnston sign armistice memorandum at Durham Station, North Carolina.

APRIL 26, 1865

**  John Wilkes Booth captured and killed in the Garrett Barn, Port Royal, Virginia.

--Old Secesh

Otto C. Hager-- Part 4

His first work in Atchison was hauling one hundred cords of wood from Sumner to Atchison for John F. Ingalls.  For awhile he  hired out as a clerk to John M. Crowell who had a grocery store.  He also sold produce  at the old market.

In the later 1860s he married  Miss Mary Held and a short time later started a restaurant.  In the 80s he built a building at Tenth and Main streets and did well.  He had eight children but death came and his wife and seven of his children died within three years.

--Old Secesh

'The Tullahoma Campaign' at MCCWRT Tuesday

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table will have Dave Powell presenting "The Tullahoma Campaign" this Tuesday, April 11 at the Woodstock, Illinois, Public Library at 414 W. Judd Street (close to the famous Woodstock Square).

Probably on of  the lesser-known actions of the war, but one with significant results.  Find out about it.

It will be in person and via Zoom and will start at 7 and go to 9 pm.

There will be a pre-meeting get-together at 3 Brothers restaurant on Illinois Highway 47 at 5:00.

--Old Secesh

Otto C. Hager-- Part 3

Captain Hager returned to Galena, Illinois, but "itched" to fight and re-enlisted and marched with Sherman to the sea  His company was at Raleigh when Lincoln was assassinated  He was dipping water from a creek when he looked up and saw the camp's flag at half mast.  he knew at once what had happened

The war was over, but Sherman's Army had not been mustered out.  After taking part in Sherman's Grand Review at Washington, Hager and his company were mustered out in Chicago.

In 1866, he went to St. Joe and here hired out to a freighter  named Galbraith, an Atchison man.  He went with Galbraith's caravan of prairie schooners as far as Cottonwood Falls, where he quit his job and began splitting rails for the Union Pacific.

In 1867, he came to Atchison, Kansas.  At that time there was one brick building there, the rest of the city being made up mostly of frame shanties between Fourth and Fifth Street on Commercial Street.

--Old Secesh

Otto C. Hager of the 45th Illinois Infantry-- Part 2

His first battle under General Grant was at Fort Henry, Tennessee, and then at Fort Doneleson.  He was promoted to orderly sergeant after this.

Then came the Battle of Shiloh. After this, he was made captain of Company D. 45th Illinois.  The reason for this was that the captain, 1st and 2nd lieutenants had been killed.  (Just the captain, Thomas Connor had been killed.)

Then came Vicksburg and Co. D was there.  During the siege, Captain Hager received a flesh wound in the leg and was in the hospital for two months.    On July 4, 1863, the Union Army entered the surrendered city.  Captain Hager, at the order of the colonel of his regiment, planted the United States flag upon the Vicksburg court house.

After Vicksburg, Company D was granted a furlough and Captain Hager returned to Galena.

--Old Secesh

Otto C. Hager, Captain of Co. D., 45th Illinois

He started as a 2nd lieutenant, then 1st lieutenant and finally captain and mustered out in 1865.

From Find-A-Grave

OTTO CHARLES HAGER

BIRTH:  16 May1833 /  Berlin, Germany

DEATH:  24 May1911 /  (Aged 77-78)

BURIAL:  Mount Vernon Cemetery,  Atchison, Kansas

From the May 26, 1911, Atchison Daily Globe

While an infant, his parents crossed the Atlanic Ocean, landed in New York and traveled to St. Louis wheren they lived for a year and then moved to Washington, Missouri.  (On the banks of te Missouri River about 50 miles west of St. Louis.)  The Hagers erected the first log cabin there.

His mother died when he was ten and his father told him he had to go out on his own and earn a living.  He worked several years on a farm near St. Louis and then clerked at a country store 30 miles outside St. Louis.  In 1850, he was clerking in a St. Louis wholesale grocery house.

The year 1861 found him visiting a sister in Galena, Illinois when the war started.  He enlisted in Company D of the 45th Illinois Infantry.

--Old Secesh

Preservation at the Battle of Shiloh

From the American Battlefield Trust 2023 April Calendae.

SHILOH, TENNESSEE

The Battle of Shiloh began on the morning of April 6, 1862, when Confederate soldiers poured out of the nearby woods and struck a line of Union soldiers encamped near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River.

The resulting carnage was unprecedented, causing both sides to realize the magnitude of thye war.

The Trust has protected more than 1,300 acres of the battlefield, including land that witnessed the initial Confederate assaults against the Union camps.

--Old Secesh

This Month in the Civil War: Fort Blakely, the End of the Confederacy

From the American Battlefield Trust 2023 April calendar.

APRIL 2, 1865

**  Battle of Fort Blakely, Alabama.

APRIL 2, 1865

**  Union breakthrough at Petersburg, Virginia.

APRIL 3, 1865

**  Union forces occupy Richmond, Virginia.

APRIL 5, 1862

**   Siege of Yorktown, Virginia begins and lasts for 28 days.

APRIL 6, 1862

**  Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee begins.

APRIL 8, 1864

**  Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana (Red River Expedition).

APRIL 9,1865

**  Robert E. Lee surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

--Old Secesh

Company D, 45th Illinois Infantry Officers-- Part 2: Lieutenants

FIRST LIEUTENANTS  

Name, Residence, Date of Rank, Date of Muster, Remarks

******************************

William R. Rowley / Galena  /  Nov. 13, 1861  /  Nov. 20, 1861  /  Promoted General Grant's staff

John O. Duer  /  Galena  /  March 1, 1862  /  June 30, 1862  /  Promoted

Joseph W. Miller  /  Galena  /  April 6, 1862  /  April 23, 1863  /  Promoted

Otto C. Hager  /  Galena  /  June 25, 1863  /  Promoted

John R. Dawson  /  Dixon  /  Oct. 31, 1863  /  December 22, 1863  /  Mustered out  July 12, 1865

*******************************

SECOND LIEUTENANTS

John O. Duer  /  Galena  /    Sept. 3, 1861  /  Nov. 20, 1861 /  Promoted

Joseph W. Miller  /  Galena  /  March 1, 1862  /  June 30, 1862  /  Promoted

Otto C. Hager  /  Galena  /  May 1, 1862  /  April 23, 1863  /  Promoted

Edwin O.  Hammond  /  Dixon  /  Jan. 25, 1864  /  Mustered out July 12, 1865

********************************

Two of Galena's nine generals were with this company at one time or another.

--Old Secesh