Civil War
Medal of Honor Recipients from Wisconsin during the Civil War
Read here of the deeds of these brave heroes and do not forget them!
The names which are preceded by an asterisk denote posthumous awards.
This table lists the recipients by date, they are listed alphabetically below.
Sergeant Murphy, Denis J. F.
3 October 1862
Born in Ireland
Company F, 14TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Corinth, Mississippi
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company F, 14TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Corinth, Mississippi, 3 October 1862.
Entered service at: Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Birth: 28 July 1830, County Cork, Ireland.
Date of issue: 22 January 1892.
Citation: “Although wounded three times, carried the colors throughout the conflict.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 19 June 1901, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Sergeant Durham, John S.
8 October 1862
Born in New York, N.Y.; Entered service at Malone, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Company F, 1ST Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Perryville, Kentucky
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company F, 1ST Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Perryville, Kentucky, 8 October 1862.
Entered service at: Malone, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.
Born: 8 June 1843, Portlandsville, New York.
Date of issue: 20 November 1896.
Citation: “Seized the flag of his regiment when the color sergeant was shot and advanced with the flag midway between the lines, amid a shower of shot, shell, and bullets, until stopped by his commanding officer.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 12 January 1918, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Leavenworth, Kansas.
He lived in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, when he entered the service.
Private Johnson, John
13 December 1862
Born in Norway; Entered service at Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin
Company D, 2D Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Antietam
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 2D Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Fredericksburg, Virginia 13 December 1862; Antietam.
Entered service at: Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin.
Born: 25 March 1842, Norway.
Date of issue: 28 August 1893.
Citation: “Conspicuous gallantry in battle in which he was severely wounded. While serving as cannoneer he manned the positions of fallen gunners.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 3 April 1907, Washington, D.C.
While he was assigned to Company D, 2D Wisconsin Infantry (part of the Iron Brigade), he was attached to Battery B, 4TH U.S. Light Artillery at the time he performed the deeds which resulted in the decoration. While serving as a cannoneer at Antietam, Maryland, on 17 September 1862, he assisted BG John Gibbon and two other men in firing a cannon that was about to be overrun by the enemy. They fired double canister at point blank range, which successfully repulsed the enemy charge and saved the battery. At Fredericksburg, Virginia, on 13 December 1862 he again demonstrated his courage. While carrying case shot to his canon, a piece of shrapnel severed his right arm and destroyed much of his shoulder. He continued to load his canon until he passed out from loss of blood. He passed away on 3 April 1907 and is interred in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Musician Hilliker, Benjamin F.
4 June 1863
Born in Golden, Erie County, New York; Entered service at Waupaca Township, Wisconsin
Company A, 8TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Mechanicsburg, Mississippi
Rank and organization: Musician, Company A, 8TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Mechanicsburg, Mississippi, 4 June 1863.
Entered service at. Waupaca Township, Wisconsin.
Born: 23 May 1843, Golden, Erie County, New York.
Date of issue: 17 December 1897.
Citation: “When men were needed to oppose a superior Confederate force he laid down his drum for a rifle and proceeded to the front of the skirmish line which was about 120 feet from the enemy. While on this volunteer mission and firing at the enemy he was hit in the head with a minie ball which passed through him. An order was given to “lay him in the shade; he won’t last long.” He recovered from this wound being left with an ugly scar.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 18 October 1916, Los Angeles, California.
Sergeant Coates, Jefferson
1 July 1863
Born in Grant County, Wisconsin; Entered service at Boscobel, Wisconsin
Company H, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1 July 1863.
Entered service at: Boscobel, Wisconsin.
Birth: 24 August 1843, Grant County, Wisconsin.
Date of issue: 29 June 1866.
Citation: “Unsurpassed courage in battle, where he had both eyes shot out.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 27 January 1880, Saline County, Nebraska.
Corporal Waller, Francis A.
1 July 1863
Born in Gurney, Ohio; Entered service at DeSoto, Vernon County, Wisconsin
Company I, 6TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 6TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1 July 1863.
Entered service at: De Soto, Vernon County, Wisconsin.
Birth: 15 August 1840, Gurney, Ohio.
Date of issue: 1 December 1864.
Citation: “Capture of flag of 2d Mississippi Infantry (C.S.A.).” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 30 April 1911, Brentford, South Dakota.
He became Sheriff of Vernon County, Wisconsin in 1880. Lived in De Soto until 1883, when he moved to South Dakota.
First Lieutenant Pond, James B.
6 October 1863
Born in Allegany, New York; Entered service at Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin
Company C, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Baxter Springs, Kansas
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company C, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment.
Place and date: At Baxter Springs, Kansas, 6 October 1863.
Entered service at: Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin.
Birth: 11 June 1838, Allegany, New York.
Date of issue: 30 March 1898.
Citation: “While in command of 2 companies of Cavalry, was surprised and attacked by several times his own number of guerrillas, but gallantly rallied his men, and after a severe struggle drove the enemy outside the fortifications. 1st Lt. Pond then went outside the works and, alone and unaided, fired a howitzer 3 times, throwing the enemy into confusion and causing him to retire.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 22 June 1903, Jersey City, New Jersey.
James Pond was a wanderer and led a colorful life, before, during, and after his military service. The oldest of 11 children, he ran away from home (the Family farm at Alto, Wisconsin) at the age of 15 to work for a printer in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. For the next 8 years he traveled all over Wisconsin and points further west, working for brief periods (mainly in the printing/newspaper industry) in Oshkosh, Markesan, St. Louis, Denver, and Kansas (where he served for a year with John Brown, the militant abolitionist). He returned home to the Family farm around 1860 and when war broke out he enlisted in and helped organize Co. C, 3D Wis. Cavalry.
At the end of the war he started a furniture company in Appleton, Wisconsin. He soon sold his share of the company and resumed his wandering, working in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Leavenworth, Kansas, Salt Lake City, Utah, and other places. It was in Utah that he found his final, and lucrative, calling, as a manager for the lecture circuit and tours of prominent celebrities and entertainers of the day throughout North America and Europe. His clients included: Mark Twain, Ralph Waldo Emerson, P.T. Barnum, Gilbert & Sullivan, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Winston Churchill, et al. He died 21 June 1903 in Jersey City at the age of 64.
In March 2008, 1LT Pond’s grandson, James B. Pond, III, donated his Medal of Honor, autobiography, journal, photographs, and other personal papers to the Kenosha Civil War Museum (Wisconsin).
Sergeant Kelley, Leverett Mansfield
25 November 1863
Born Schenectady, New York; Entered service at Rutland, Illinois
Company A, 36TH Illinois Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 36TH Illinois Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, 25 November 1863.
Entered service at: Rutland, Illinois.
Birth: Schenectady, New York.
Date of issue: 4 April 1900.
Citation: “Sprang over the works just captured from the enemy, and calling upon his comrades to follow, rushed forward in the face of a deadly fire and was among the first over the works on the summit, where he compelled the surrender of a Confederate officer and received his sword.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
He was a student at Beloit College when he entered the service.
First Lieutenant and Adjutant MacArthur, Arthur, Jr.
25 November 1863
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts; Entered service at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
24TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, and Adjutant, 24TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, 25 November 1863.
Entered service at: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Birth: 2 June 1845, Springfield, Massachusetts.
Date of issue: 30 June 1890.
Citation: “Seized the colors of his regiment at a critical moment and planted them on the captured works on the crest of Missionary Ridge.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 5 September 1912, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Private Pond, George F.
15 May 1864
Born in Lake County, Illinois; Entered service at, Fairwater, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Company C, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Drywood, Kansas
Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment.
Place and date: At Drywood, Kansas, 15 May 1864.
Entered service at. Fairwater, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.
Birth: 5 October 1844, Lake County, Illinois.
Date of Issue: 16 May 1899.
Citation: “With 2 companions, attacked a greatly superior force of guerrillas, routed them, and rescued several prisoners.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 21 June 1911, Fort Scott, Kansas.
Continued service in the Army after the war, served during Indian War Campaigns.
Private Truell, Edwin M.
21 July 1864
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts; Entered service at Mauston, Wisconsin
Company E, 12TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions near Atlanta, Georgia
Rank and organization: Private, Company E, 12TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: Near Atlanta, Georgia, 21 July 1864.
Entered service at: Mauston, Wisconsin
Birth: 19 August 1841, Lowell, Massachusetts.
Date of issue: 11 March 1870.
Citation: “Although severely wounded in a charge, he remained with the regiment until again severely wounded, losing his leg.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 12 October 1907, Washington, D.C.
He grew up in Lyndon, Wisconsin. After the war he was register of deeds for Juneau County and in 1869 he was clerk of the state senate.
Private Ellis, Horace
21 August 1864
Born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania; Entered service at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Company A, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Weldon Railroad, Virginia
Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Weldon Railroad, Virginia, 21 August 1864.
Entered service at: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
Birth: 23 May 1843, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Date of issue: December 1864.
Citation: “Capture of flag of 16th Mississippi (C.S.A.).” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 27 June 1867, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
Private Croft, James E.
5 October 1864
Born in England; Entered service at Janesville, Wisconsin
12TH Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery
Awarded for actions at Allatoona, Georgia
Rank and organization: Private, 12TH Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery.
Place and date: At Allatoona, Georgia, 5 October 1864.
Entered service at: Janesville, Wisconsin.
Birth: 13 November 1833, Yorkshire, England.
Date of issue: 20 March 1897.
Citation: “Took the place of a gunner who had been shot down and inspired his comrades by his bravery and effective gunnery, which contributed largely to the defeat of the enemy.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 26 May 1914, Janesville, Wisconsin.
First Lieutenant Bennett, Orson W.
Born in Union City, Branch County, Michigan; Entered service in Michigan
Company A, 102D U.S. Colored Troops
Awarded for actions at Honey Hill, South Carolina
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, Company A, 102D U.S. Colored Troops.
Place and date: At Honey Hill, South Carolina, 30 November 1864.
Entered service at:
Birth: 17 November 1841, Union City Branch County, Michigan.
Date of issue: 9 March 1887.
Citation: “After several unsuccessful efforts to recover 3 pieces of abandoned artillery, this officer gallantly led a small force fully 100 yards in advance of the Union lines and brought in the guns, preventing their capture.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 8 January 1904.
He lived in Hazel Green, Wisconsin, when he enlisted in Company G, 12TH Wisconsin Infantry on 12 November 1861. He was discharged from that unit on 1864 in order to accept a commission in Company A, 102D Colored Troops. He also lived in Iowa before and after the war.
Sergeant Toohey, Thomas
30 November 1864
Born in New York, New York
Company F, 24TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Franklin, Tennessee
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company F, 24TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Franklin, Tennessee, 30 November 1864.
Entered service at: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Birth: 1 January 1835, New York, New York.
Date of issue: Unknown.
Citation: “Gallantry in action; voluntarily assisting in working guns of battery near right of the regiment after nearly every man had left them, the fire of the enemy being hotter at this than at any other point on the line.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 19 November 1918, Kansas City, Missouri.
He returned to Milwaukee after the war, later lived in Ripon, Wisconsin, for a while, and then moved to Kansas City, Missouri.
First Sergeant Ellis, William
14 January 1865
Born in England; entered service at Little Rock, Arkansas
Company K, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Arkansas
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company K, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment.
Place and date: At, Dardanelles, Arkansas, 14 January 1865.
Entered service at: Little Rock, Arkansas.
Birth: 1834, England.
Date of issue: 8 March 1865.
Citation: “Remained at his post after receiving three wounds, and only retired, by his commanding officer’s orders, after being wounded the fourth time.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 1 February 1875, San Bernardino County, California.
He lived in Watertown, Wisconsin, when he entered the service. His citation erroneously says he entered the service at Little Rock, Arkansas, that is where he reenlisted. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company E, 3D Wisconsin Cavalry (Reorganized), when he left the service 26 August 1865. He returned to Wisconsin after he left the service, but eventually moved out of the state.
There is conflicting information regarding his time and place of death. California is the place of death seen frequently, but I have seen at least one article that says he passed away in Elgin, Illinois, on 6 May 1935. This is complicated due to the commonality of his name.
Private Cosgriff, Richard H.
16 April 1865
Born Dunkirk County, New York;
Entered Service at Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa
Company L, 4TH Iowa Cavalry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Columbus, Georgia
Rank and Organization: Private, Company L, 4TH Iowa Cavalry Regiment.
Place and Date: At Columbus, Georgia, 16 April 1865.
Entered Service At: Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa.
Birth: 15 December 1844, Dunkirk County, New York.
Date of Issue: 17 June 1865.
Citation: “Capture of flag in a personal encounter with its bearer.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 2 November 1910, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
He lived in Hudson, Wisconsin, from 1851 until he entered the service in 1862. He lived in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, after the war.
Private Anderson, Peter
19 March 1865
Born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Company B, 31ST Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Bentonville, North Carolina
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 31ST Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Bentonville, North Carolina, 19 March 1865.
Entered service at:——.
Birth: 4 September 1847, Darlington, Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Date of issue: 16 June 1865.
Citation: “Entirely unassisted, brought from the field an abandoned piece of artillery and saved the gun from falling into the hands of the enemy.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 26 July 1907, Stone Lake, Iowa.
He had attained the rank of Captain (Brevet) when he was discharged. He is interred in Newell Cemetery, Newell, Iowa.
He later described the action in his own words: “Someone shouted, “For God’s Sake, bring out that battery!” . . . Turning the horses of one gun into the road, using my ramrod for a whip, I started them after our retreating ranks. . . The distance to our lines was from one-third to half a mile, and all the way I was under a hot revel fire from both sides. At one time the rebels were on all sides of me and demanding my surrender. I had previously fired my gun and was now trying to reload. I had nearly succeeded when a shot struck the barrel and broke it in the middle. The same shot knocked off the tip of my right forefinger. I raised my musket and blazed away, sending ramrod and all into the rebels. An officer rode up close to me, pointing his revolver at my head and shouted: “Surrender, you damn Yankee.” A shot from some quarter killed him outright the next moment. I finally reached my regiment.”
Sergeant Sickles, William H.
Born in Danube, New York; Entered service at Columbia County, Wisconsin
Company B, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Gravelly Run, Virginia
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company B, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Gravelly Run, Virginia, 31 March 1865.
Entered service at: Fall River, Columbia County, Wisconsin.
Birth: 27 October 1844, Danube, New York.
Date of issue: Unknown.
Citation: “With a comrade, attempted capture of a stand of Confederate colors and detachment of 9 Confederates, actually taking prisoner 3 members of the detachment, dispersing the remainder, and recapturing a Union officer who was a prisoner in hands of the detachment.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 26 September 1938, Puyallup, Washington.
He lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin, after the war.
Sergeant O'Connor, Albert
31 March and 1 April 1865
Born in Canada; Entered service at West Point Township, Columbia County, Wisconsin
Company A, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Gravelly Run, Virginia
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 7TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Gravelly Run, Virginia, 31 March and 1 April 1865.
Entered service at: West Point Township, Columbia County, Wisconsin.
Birth: 15 July 1843, Canaan, Vermont.
Date of issue: Unknown.
Citation: “On 31 March 1865, with a comrade, recaptured a Union officer from a detachment of 9 Confederates, capturing 3 of the detachment and dispersing the remainder, and on 1 April 1865, seized a stand of Confederate colors, killing a Confederate officer in a hand-to-hand contest over the colors and retaining the colors until surrounded by Confederates and compelled to relinquish them.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 3 April 1928, Orting, Washington.
He lived in Madison, Wisconsin, from 1865 until 1901.
Corporal Moore, Daniel B.
9 April 1865
Born in Iowa County, Wisconsin; Entered service at Mifflin, Wisconsin
Company E, 11TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
Awarded for actions at Fort Blakely, Alabama
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company E, 11TH Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
Place and date: At Fort Blakely, Alabama, 9 April 1865.
Entered service at: Mifflin, Wisconsin.
Born: 12 June 1838, Mifflin, Iowa County, Wisconsin.
Date of issue: 8 August 1900.
Citation: “At the risk of his own life saved the life of an officer who had been shot down and overpowered by superior numbers.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 2 July 1914, Chicago, Illinois.
He is interred in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.