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United States Colored Troops Medal of Honor Recipients at New Market Heights.
Barnes, William H.
Beaty, Powhatan
Bronson, James H.
Fleetwood, Christian A.
Gardiner, James
Harris, James H.
Hawkins, Thomas R.
Hilton, Alfred B.
Holland, Milton M.
James, Miles
Kelly, Alexander
Pinn, Robert A.
Ratcliff, Edward
Veal, Charles
![officers[1].jpg (33435 bytes)](officers1_small.jpg)
Officers of the 4th USCT; Christian Fleetwood is Fourth from right.
Barnes, William H.
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Barnes, William H.
RANK/UNIT: Private, Co. C, 38th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Among the first to enter the enemy's works, although wounded."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: St. Marys County, MD. 1830 or 1831.
ENTERED SERVICE: Ridge, MD. 11 February 1864.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: N/A
OTHER: William Barnes was a 33-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He stood 5'11" tall. Barnes was promoted to Sergeant in January 1865, but never left the service alive. He died of tuberculosis at Indianola, Texas on Christmas Eve 1866.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 25; Bearss.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Private William H. Barnes, Company C, Thirty-eighth U.S. Colored Troops, among the very first to enter the rebel works, although himself previously wounded, has a medal for his gallantry.
Official Records, #89, p168
Beaty, Powhatan
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Beaty, Powhatan
RANK/UNIT: First Sergeant, Co. G, 5th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Took command of his company, all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Richmond, VA. 1839.
ENTERED SERVICE: Medal says Delaware County, OH. Bearss says Cincinnati, OH. 7 June 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH:
OTHER: Powhatan Beaty was a 24-year-old farmer when he enlisted. He stood 5'7" tall. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 9 June 1863 at Camp Delaware, OH. (Two days after enlisting).
SOURCES: Medal, p. 27; Bearss; Trenches, p.125
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Milton M. Holland, sergeant-major, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops, commanding Company C; James H. Bronson, first sergeant, commanding Company D; Robert Pinn, first sergeant, commanding Company I, wounded; Powhatan Beaty, first sergeant, commanding Company G, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops--all these gallant colored soldiers were left in command, all their company officers being killed or wounded, and led them gallantly and meritoriously through the day. For these services they have most honorable mention, and the commanding general will cause a special medal to be struck in honor of these gallant colored soldiers.
Official Records, #89, p168
Bronson, James H.
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison) VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Bronson, James H.
RANK/UNIT: 1st Sergeant, Co. D, 5th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Took command of his company, all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Medal says Delaware County, OH. Bearss says Indiana, PA. 1838.
ENTERED SERVICE: Medal says Indiana County, PA. Bearss says Trumbull County, OH. 4 July 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: N/A
OTHER: James Bronson was a 25-year-old barber when he joined Uncle Sam's army. He stood 5'9" tall. Although promoted to 1st Sergeant on August 22, 1863, Bronson later requested to be reduced to the ranks and reassigned to the regimental band. His request was granted on November 30, 1864. Bronson was mustered out of service at Carolina City, NC, on September 20, 1865.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 40; Bearss.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Milton M. Holland, sergeant-major, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops, commanding Company C; James H. Bronson, first sergeant, commanding Company D; Robert Pinn, first sergeant, commanding Company I, wounded; Powhatan Beaty, first sergeant, commanding Company G, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops--all these gallant colored soldiers were left in command, all their company officers being killed or wounded, and led them gallantly and meritoriously through the day. For these services they have most honorable mention, and the commanding general will cause a special medal to be struck in honor of these gallant colored soldiers.
Official Records, #89, p168
Fleetwood, Christian A.
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Fleetwood, Christian Abraham
RANK/UNIT: Sergeant Major, 4th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Seized the colors, after two color bearers had been shot down, and bore them nobly through the fight."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Baltimore, MD. 1840.
ENTERED SERVICE: Baltimore, MD. 11 August 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH:
OTHER: Christian Fleetwood was a 23-year-old clerk when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He stood 5'4 and 1/2" tall. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on August 19, 1863. Fleetwood described the act which won him the Medal of Honor citation as follows, "Saved the regimental colors after eleven of the twelve color guards had been shot down around it."
The rank of Sergeant Major was at the time the highest rank a black soldier could attain in the U.S. Army.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 88; Badge, pp. 139-40; Deeds, pp. 434-5; Military Order, p. 517; Bearss; Trenches, p. 125. Christian Fleetwood rose to the rank of sergeant-major and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. He gives an account of the African American soldier from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to show his suitability for military service, with concentration on the Civil War. He cites instances of valor and testimonials thereto, statistics on black enlistments by state and on casualties, and lists African Americans who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Christian A. Fleetwood, sergeant-major, Fourth U.S. Colored Troops, when two color bearers had been shot down, seized the national colors and bore them nobly through the fight. He has a special medal for gallant conduct.
Official Records, #89, p169
Gardiner, James
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Gardiner, James.
RANK/UNIT: Private, Co. I, 36th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Rushed in advance of his brigade, shot a rebel officer who was on the parapet rallying his men, and then ran him through with his bayonet."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Gloucester, VA. 1843 or 1844
ENTERED SERVICE: Yorktown, VA. 15 September 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH:
OTHER: Gardiner was a 19-year-old oysterman from Gloucester, VA, when he signed on for three years service in the U.S. Army. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on September 30, 1864, as a result of his gallantry the day before. Sergeant Gardiner was reduced to the ranks on July 13, 1863, and mustered out of service at Brazos de Santiago, Texas on September 20, 1866.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 93; Bearss; Trenches, p. 125.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Private James Gardiner, Company I, Thirty-sixth U.S. Colored Troops, rushed in advance of his brigade, shot at a rebel officer, who was on the parapet cheering his men, and then ran him through with his bayonet. He will have a sergeant's warrant and a medal for gallant daring.
Official Records, #89, p168
Harris, James H.
ACTION: New Market Heights (near Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Harris, James H.
RANK/UNIT: Sergeant, Co. B, 38th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Gallantry in the assault."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 18 February 1874.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: St. Mary's County, MD. 1828. Died: Washington, D.C., 28 January 1898.
ENTERED SERVICE: 14 February 1864, Great Mills (St. Mary's County), MD.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: Attached .
OTHER: Sgt. Harris spent nine months in the hospital after being wounded at New Market Heights. He was mustered out of service on January 25, 1867 at Indianola, TX. Although no reason is given in his records, he left the army as a private. Harris was a farmer before he joined the U.S. Army and spent his later years as a carpenter in Washington D.C., receiving an army pension of $12.00 a month at the time of his death. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetary in Arlington, VA (Section 27, Grave 985-H).
SOURCES: Medal, p. 109; Raymond L. Collins, Medal of Honor Historical Society. (Mr. Collins obtained Harris' service and pension records from the National Archives in Washington, D.C.). Trenches, p. 124.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Sergeant Harris, Company B, Thirty-eighth U.S. Colored Troops, has a medal for gallant conduct in the assault of the 29th instant.
Official Records, #89, p169
Hawkins, Thomas R.
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Hawkins, Thomas R.
RANK/UNIT: Sergeant Major, 6th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Rescue of regimental colors."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 8 February 1870.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Cincinnati, OH.
ENTERED SERVICE: Philadelphia, PA.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: Attached .
OTHER: Badge has Sgt. Major Hawkins earning his medal at Deep Bottom, Va., on 21 July 1864. The citation is the same, however.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 112; Badge, p. 135.
Hilton, Alfred B.
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Hilton, Alfred B.
RANK/UNIT: Sergeant, Co. H, 4th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "When the regimental color bearer fell, this soldier seized the color and carried it forward, together with the national standard, until disabled at the enemy's inner line."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865 (Posthumous).
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Harford County, MD. 1842.
ENTERED SERVICE: Baltimore, MD. 11 August 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: N/A
OTHER: Alfred Hilton was a 21-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He stood 5'10 and 1/2" tall. Sergeant Hilton was severely wounded in the fierce fighting of September 29th, and his right leg had to be amputated below the knee. He died in the hospital at Fort Monroe on October 21st. He is buried at Hampton, VA.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 117; Bearss.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Alfred B. Hilton, color-sergeant, Fourth U.S. Colored Troops, the bearer of the national colors, when the color-sergeant with the regimental standard fell beside him, seized the standard, and struggled forward with both colors, until disabled by a severe wound at the enemy's inner line of abatis, and when on the ground he showed that his thoughts were for the colors and not for himself. He has a special medal for gallantry, and will have his warrant as first sergeant.
Official Records, #89, p169
Holland, Milton M.
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Holland, Milton M.
RANK/UNIT: Sergeant Major, 5th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Took command of Company C, after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Austin, TX. 1844.
ENTERED SERVICE: Athens, Ohio.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: Attached .
OTHER: Holland was an 18-year-old shoemaker when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He stood 5'8" tall. Holland and the 5th were present at the famous "Battle of the Crater" in Petersburg, VA on 30 July 1864, but were not used in the disastrous Union charge. At Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), Holland and the 5th suffered heavy casualties during the assault and subsequent hand-to-hand combat. "But, with a courage that knew no bounds, the men stood like granite figures. They routed the enemy and captured the breastworks. The courage displayed by young Holland's regiment on this occasion called for the highest praise from Gen. Grant, who personally rode over the battlefield in company with Generals Butler and Draper."
By order of General Butler, Holland was promoted to Captain, but because of his color was refused the commission by the War Department. Holland was later present when General Joseph E. Johnston C.S.A. surrendered to General William T. Sherman. Sergeant-Major Holland was mustered out of service at Carolina City, NC, on September 20, 1865.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 119; Badge, pp. 141-3; Bearss; Trenches, p. 124.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Milton M. Holland, sergeant-major, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops, commanding Company C; James H. Bronson, first sergeant, commanding Company D; Robert Pinn, first sergeant, commanding Company I, wounded; Powhatan Beaty, first sergeant, commanding Company G, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops--all these gallant colored soldiers were left in command, all their company officers being killed or wounded, and led them gallantly and meritoriously through the day. For these services they have most honorable mention, and the commanding general will cause a special medal to be struck in honor of these gallant colored soldiers.
Official Records, #89, p168
James, Miles
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 30 September 1864.
NAME: James, Miles.
RANK/UNIT: Corporal, Co. B, 36th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Having had his arm mutilated, making immediate amputation necessary, he loaded and discharged his piece with one hand and urged his men forward; this within 30 yards of the enemy's works."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Princess Anne County, VA.
ENTERED SERVICE: Norfolk, VA.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: N/A
OTHER: Corporal James was one of the 14 black soldiers who won the Medal of Honor for bravery in the assault on Fort Harrison. At this time, however, I have not been able to find as much information on him as I have on his comrades. Hopefully, this will change in the near future.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 129.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Corpl. Miles James, Thirty-sixth U.S. Colored Troops, after having his arm so badly mutilated that immediate amputation was necessary, loaded and discharged his piece with one hand, and urged his men forward; this within thirty yards of the enemy's works. He has a medal and a sergeant's warrant.
Official Records, #89, p168
Kelly, Alexander
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Kelly, Alexander.
RANK/UNIT: First Sergeant, Co. F, 6th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Gallantly seized the colors, which had fallen near the enemy's lines of abatis, raised them and rallied the men at a time of confusion and in a place of the greatest danger."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Saltsburg, PA. April 7, 1840.
ENTERED SERVICE: Allegheny City, PA. 19 August 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: Attached .
OTHER: Kelly enlisted as a substitute for a man named Joseph Kelly. He was a 23-year-old coal miner who stood 5 feet 3 and one-half inches in height. On September 3rd, 1863, he was appointed First Sergeant of his unit, at that time stationed at Camp William Penn, Chilton Hills, PA. Although Kelly was reduced in rank to private on July 12th, 1865, he was promoted back to Sergeant on
August 1st 1865. Kelly was mustered out of the U.S. Army at Wilmington, NC, on September 20, 1865.
SOURCES: Medal, pp. 136-7; Bearss; Trenches, p. 124; Deeds, p. 435; Military Order, p. 517.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler dated 11 October 1864 had this to say:
Alexander Kelly, first sergeant Company F, Sixth U.S. Colored Troops, gallantly seized the colors, which had fallen near the enemy's inner line of abatis, raised them, and rallied the men, at a time of confusion and a place of the greatest possible danger. He has a medal for his gallantry.
Official Records, #89, p169
Pinn, Robert
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Pinn, Robert.
RANK/UNIT: 1st Sergeant, Co. I, 5th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Took command of his company after all the officers had been killed or wounded and gallantly led it in battle."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Stark County, Ohio. 1 March 1843.
ENTERED SERVICE: Massillon, OH. (Camp Delaware), September 5, 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH:
OTHER: Sergeant Pinn was a 20-year-old farmer when he joined the army. According to the records he stood six feet in height. Pinn was promoted to Sgt. on October 18, 1863 and to 1st Sgt. on September 1, 1864. On the same day that he won his medal for gallantry at Fort Harrison, Pinn was wounded in action at nearby Fort Gilmer. He was subsequently hospitalized at Portsmouth, VA. First Sergeant Pinn was mustered out of service at Carolina City, NC, on September 20, 1865.
SOURCES: Medal, pp. 189-90; Bearss; Trenches, p. 125.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Milton M. Holland, sergeant-major, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops, commanding Company C; James H. Bronson, first sergeant, commanding Company D; Robert Pinn, first sergeant, commanding Company I, wounded; Powhatan Beaty, first sergeant, commanding Company G, Fifth U.S. Colored Troops--all these gallant colored soldiers were left in command, all their company officers being killed or wounded, and led them gallantly and meritoriously through the day. For these services they have most honorable mention, and the commanding general will cause a special medal to be struck in honor of these gallant colored soldiers.
Official Records, #89, p168
Ratcliff, Edward
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Ratcliff, Edward.
RANK/UNIT: 1st Sergeant, Co. C, 38th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Commanded and gallantly led his company after the commanding had been killed; was the first enlisted man to enter the enemy's works."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: James County, VA. 1835.
ENTERED SERVICE: Yorktown, VA. January 1, 1864.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: N/A
OTHER: Ratcliff was a 29-year-old laborer when he enlisted for three years service in the U.S. Army. He stood five feet eleven inches tall. Private Ratcliff was transferred from Company I to Company C of the 38th U.S. Colored Troops and promoted to the rank of 1st Sergeant on February 1, 1864. For his gallantry at the battle of Fort Harrison he was promoted to Sergeant-Major on Decomber 24, 1864. Ratcliff was mustered out of service at Indianola, Texas on January 25, 1867.
SOURCES: Medal, p. 197; Bearss.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
First Sergt. Edward Ratcliff, Company C, Thirty-eighth U.S. Colored Troops, thrown into command of his company by the death of the officer commanding, was the first enlisted man in the enemy's works, leading his company with great gallantry--for which he has a medal.
Official Records, #89, p168
Veal, Charles
ACTION: Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), VA.
DATE: 29 September 1864.
NAME: Veal, Charles.
RANK/UNIT: Private, Co. D, 4th U.S. Colored Troops.
CITATION: "Seized the national colors, after 2 color bearers had been shot down close to the enemy's works, and bore them through the remainder of the battle."
MEDAL PRESENTED: 6 April 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Born: Portsmouth, VA. 1838.
ENTERED SERVICE: Baltimore, MD. 28 July 1863.
PHOTOGRAPH/SKETCH: N/A
OTHER: Charles Veal was a 25-year-old fireman at the time of his enlistment. He stood five-feet-three and one-quarter inches tall. While he is listed as a private in the medal of honor records, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on November 12, 1863. Veal was later wounded at Fort Fisher in North Carolina in January, 1865 and spent a week in the hospital. His medal of Honor was personally pinned on his chest by Major General Benjamin Butler. He died July 27, 1872. Veal is buried in the Hampton National Cemetary, Hampton, VA.
SOURCES: Medal, pp. 246-7; Deeds, p. 435; Currents; Bearss.
An order from Gen. Benjamin Butler, dated 11 October 1864, had this to say:
Charles Veal, color bearer Company D, Fourth U.S. Colored Troops, after two bearers of the regimental color had been shot down, seized it close to the enemy's works and bore it through the remainder of the action. He has a medal for gallantry, and will have the warrant of color-sergeant.
Official Records, #89, p169
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