Doc. 156.-Medals of honor to Seamen.
Navy Department, April 8, 1863.
General order No. 11.
the following seamen and others in the naval service of the United States have been specially mentioned to the department by their commanding officers in such terms as, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Navy, to entitle them to the Medal of Honor authorized by an act of Congress approved December twenty-first, 1861, to be bestowed upon “such petty officers, seamen, and marines, as shall most distinguish themselves by gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war,” namely:
James McCloud, captain of foretop, a volunteer from the Colorado, on board Pensacola, in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at the taking of New-Orleans, April twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth, 1862; specially commended.
Louis Richards, Quartermaster, also on board the Pensacola, on same occasions as those just mentioned.
“Fine conduct” --“through din and roar of battle steered the ship through barricade, and his watchful devotion to orders contributed greatly to successful passage;” “coolness perfectly heroic.”
Thomas Flood, boy, also on board the Pensacola, on the same occasions, assisted “very materially by taking the duties of the Signal Quartermaster, who was shot down, which duties he performed with the coolness, exactitude, and fidelity of a veteran seaman.”
“Cannot speak too warmly of Flood.”
“Intelligence and character of a high order.”
James Buck, Quartermaster, on board the Brooklyn, in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at the taking of New-Orleans, April twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth, 1862. “Stationed at the wheel.”
“Early in fight painfully wounded by a heavy splinter, but for seven hours stood bravely at his post, refusing to go below until positively ordered to do so.”
“Next morning stole to his station, and steered the ship over eight hours.”
Oscar E. Peck, second-class boy, on board Varuna, in attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip. “Coolness and intrepidity attracted the attention of all hands.”
“Deserving great praise.”
Thomas Genegan, Boatswain's Mate, on board Pinola, in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at the taking of New-Orleans.
“Brave example he set the crew, and faithful manner with which he served his gun, bringing up his own ammunition when men composing powder division had been nearly all killed or wounded.”
Edward Farrel, Quartermaster, on board the Owasco, in the reduction of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. “His intelligence, coolness, and capacity were conspicuous.”
Peter Williams, seaman, .on board Monitor, in fight with Merrimac, March nineteenth, 1862.
Made an acting Master's Mate; but now (March, 1863) an acting Ensign on board Florida.
Benjamin Sevearer, sailor, who raised flag on Fort Clark. “Deed of noble daring.”
[500]
John Davis, quarter-gunner on board Valley City, in attack of enemy's vessels and a fort near Elizabeth City, North-Carolina, February tenth, 1862.
When vessel was on fire near the magazine, seated himself on an open barrel of powder, as the only means to keep the fire out.
Charles Kenyon, fireman, on board Galena, in attack upon Drury's Bluff, May fifteenth, 1862. “Conspicuous for persistent courage.”
Jeremiah Regan, Quartermaster, on board Galena, in same attack, May fifteenth, 1862.
His good conduct “attracted the particular attention” of his commanding officer.
Alexander Hood, Quartermaster, John Kelley, second-class fireman.
Both on board Ceres, in fight near Hamilton, up Roanoke River, July ninth, 1862, and both spoken of for “good conduct and soul-bravery.”
Daniel Lakin, seaman; John Williams, seaman; John Breese, Boatswain's Mate; Alfred Peterson, seaman.
All on board Commodore Perry, in attack upon Franklin, N. C., October third, 1862, and “distinguished themselves by their gallant conduct.”
Thomas C. Barton, seaman on board Hunchback, in attack upon Franklin, N. C. Mentioned for “heroic conduct.”
Edwin Smith, ordinary seaman on board Whitehead, in attack upon Franklin, N. C., October third, 1862. “Swam ashore under the fire of the enemy with a line,and thus rendered important service.”
Mentioned for “gallantry.”
Daniel Harrington, landsman, on board Pocahontas.
Landing in a boat near Brunswick, (Ga.,) March eleventh, 1862, and when fired upon by the enemy, concealed, “exhibited great coolness and bravery.”
John Williams, captain maintop, on board Pawnee, in attack upon Mathias Point, June twenty-sixth, 1861. “Gallantry cannot be spoken of in too high terms.
Though wounded by a musket-ball in the thigh, he retained charge of his boat; and when staff was shot away, held the stump in his hand, with the flag, till we got alongside the Freeborn.”
J. B. Frisbee, gunner's mate, on board Pinola, in attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and the taking of New-Orleans.
“Berth-deck on fire, he instantly closed the magazine, and remained inside.”
Thomas Bourne, seaman, William McKnight, coxswain, William Martin, seaman, Jno. Greene, captain forecastle.
Captains of guns on board Varuna, in attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April twenty-fourth, 1862.
Mentioned as having done “their duty, through the thickest of the fight, with great coolness and damage to the enemy.”
John McGowan, Quartermaster, Amos Bradley, landsman.
On board Varuna, in attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April twenty-fourth, 1862. “Stood at the wheel the whole of the time, although guns were raking the decks from behind them.”
“Their position was one of the most responsible on the ship, and they did their duty to the utmost.”
George Hollat, third-class boy, on board Varuna, in attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April twenty-fourth, 1862.
Mentioned “as deserving great praise.”
Charles Florence, Boatswain's Mate; William Young, Boatswain's Mate; William Parker, Captain of the after-guard; Edward Wright, Quarter-master.
On board the Cayuga, in attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and the taking of New-Orleans, April twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth, 1862, Mentioned with “praise for their conduct.”
Charles Bradley, Boatswain's Mate; Timothy Sullivan, coxswain; James Byrnes, Boatswain's Mate, on the United States steamer Louisville. First captains of nine-inch guns.
Specially recommended for their “attention to duty, bravery, and coolness in action.”
John McDonald, Boatswain's Mate; Charles Robinson, Boatswain's Mate; Pierre Leon, Captain of the forecastle; Peter Cotton, coxswain, on board the Baron De Kalb.
Mentioned by their commanding officer as having distinguished themselves in various actions.
Charles W. Morton, Boatswain's Mate, William Martin, Boatswain's Mate; Robert Williams, Signal Quartermaster.
On board the Benton.
Also mentioned by their commanding officer as having distinguished themselves in various actions.
The Secretary of the navy therefore awards a Medal of Honor to each of the persons above mentioned, which will be transmitted upon application made through their commanding officers respectively.
The awards will be made hereafter only upon recommendations from commanding officers, in accordance with paragraphs four and five of General Order No. 10, of this department. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
