James W. Verney

Last updated
James W. Verney
Born(1834-01-17)January 17, 1834
Bath, Maine
Died November 29, 1902(1902-11-29) (aged 68)
Place of burialCedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester, Massachusetts
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Chief Quartermaster
Unit USS Pontoosuc
Battles/wars American Civil War
  Wilmington Campaign
Awards Medal of Honor

James W. Verney (January 17, 1834 – November 29, 1902) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Wilmington Campaign.

Union Navy United States Navy during the American Civil War

The Union Navy was the United States Navy (USN) during the American Civil War, when it fought the Confederate States Navy (CSN). The term is sometimes used carelessly to include vessels of war used on the rivers of the interior while they were under the control of the United States Army, also called the Union Army.

American Civil War Civil war in the United States from 1861 to 1865

The American Civil War was a war fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865, between the North and the South. The Civil War is the most studied and written about episode in U.S. history. Primarily as a result of the long-standing controversy over the enslavement of black people, war broke out in April 1861 when secessionist forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina shortly after Abraham Lincoln had been inaugurated as the President of the United States. The loyalists of the Union in the North proclaimed support for the Constitution. They faced secessionists of the Confederate States in the South, who advocated for states' rights to uphold slavery.

Medal of Honor United States of Americas highest military honor

The Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest and most prestigious personal military decoration that may be awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medal is normally awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the U.S. Congress. Because the medal is presented "in the name of Congress", it is often referred to informally as the "Congressional Medal of Honor". However, the official name of the current award is "Medal of Honor." Within the United States Code the medal is referred to as the "Medal of Honor", and less frequently as "Congressional Medal of Honor". U.S. awards, including the Medal of Honor, do not have post-nominal titles, and while there is no official abbreviation, the most common abbreviations are "MOH" and "MH".

Born on January 17, 1834, in Bath, Maine, Verney was living in Portland, Maine, when he joined the Navy. He served as a chief quartermaster on the USS Pontoosuc during the Wilmington Campaign, from the First Battle of Fort Fisher on December 24, 1864, through the campaign's end on February 22, 1865. For his actions in this period, he was awarded the Medal of Honor months later, on June 22, 1865. [1] [2]

Bath, Maine City in Maine, United States

Bath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. The population was 8,514 at the 2010 census, and 8,357 as of 2013, the population has had a change of -10.2% since 2000. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County, which includes one city and 10 towns. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its 19th-century architecture. It is home to the Bath Iron Works and Heritage Days Festival, held annually on the Fourth of July weekend. It is commonly known as "The City of Ships". Bath is part of the metropolitan statistical area of Greater Portland.

Portland, Maine Largest city in Maine, United States

Portland is a city in the U.S. state of Maine, with a population of 67,067 as of 2017. The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people, more than one-third of Maine's total population, making it the most populous metro in northern New England. Portland is Maine's economic center, with an economy that relies on the service sector and tourism. The Old Port district is known for its 19th-century architecture and nightlife. Marine industry still plays an important role in the city's economy, with an active waterfront that supports fishing and commercial shipping. The Port of Portland is the largest tonnage seaport in New England.

USS <i>Pontoosuc</i>

USS Pontoosuc was a Union Navy vessel in the American Civil War. A side wheel gunboat, Pontoosuc was built under contract with G. W. Lawrence and the Portland Company, Portland, Maine, and was named for Pontoosuc, Illinois, on the Mississippi River. She was commissioned at Portland on 10 May 1864 with Lieutenant Commander George A. Stevens in command.

Verney's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Served as chief quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Pontoosuc during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, 24 December 1864 to 22 February 1865. Carrying out his duties faithfully throughout this period, Verney was recommended for gallantry and skill and for his cool courage while under fire of the enemy throughout these various actions. [2]

Verney was lighthouse keeper of the Whaleback Light near Kittery, Maine, from 1869 to 1871. [3]

Whaleback Light lighthouse in Maine, United States

Whaleback Light is a historic lighthouse marking the mouth of the Piscataqua River between New Castle, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine. It is located on a rocky outcrop offshore southwest of Fort Foster and south of Wood Island in Kittery. A light has been active at this location since 1820; the present tower was built in 1872. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Kittery, Maine Town in Maine, United States

Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals. The town is a tourist destination known for its many outlet stores.

Verney died on November 29, 1902, at age 68 and was buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Dorchester, Massachusetts. [1] [4]

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Tacony</i> (1863)

USS Tacony (1863) was a double-ended, side-wheel steamboat acquired by the Union Navy during the third year of the American Civil War. She was outfitted as a heavy gunboat with powerful guns and used in the Union blockade of the waterways of the Confederate States of America.

Louis C. Shepard United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Lewis Capet Shepard was a Union Navy sailor during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher. Due to a Navy clerical error however his citation and history will always record his first name as Louis.

Seaman Philip Bazaar, born in Chile, South America, was a United States Navy seaman who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration of the United States for valor in combat. According to the citation he distinguished himself during the battle for Fort Fisher of the American Civil War.

Nicholas Lear American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

Nicholas Lear was a Quartermaster in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.

James Barnum Union Army Medal of Honor recipient

James Barnum was a boatswain’s mate in the United States Navy stationed aboard the Union ironclad USS New Ironsides during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the First and Second Battle of Fort Fisher in December 1864 and January 1865.

Asa Betham Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Asa Betham was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

John Anglin (sailor) Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

John Anglin was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865. His last name is often misspelled Angling. He was one of the youngest ever Medal of Honor recipients.

Robert M. Blair Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Robert M. Blair was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Edward R. Bowman Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Edward R. Bowman was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Charles H. Foy United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient

Charles H. Foy was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

William Dunn (Medal of Honor) Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

William Dunn was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Thomas English (Medal of Honor) Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Thomas English was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Joseph B. Hayden Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Joseph B. Hayden was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Robert Sommers (Medal of Honor) Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Robert Emil Sommers was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Daniel Milliken Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Daniel Milliken was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Anthony Williams was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Wilmington Campaign.

George Washington McWilliams was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Wilmington Campaign.

John P. Erickson United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient

John P. Erickson was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Wilmington Campaign.

Thomas Taylor was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

References

  1. 1 2 "James W. Verney". Hall of Valor. Military Times . Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M–Z)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 26, 2011. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  3. http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/whaleback-light-history.html
  4. "James W. Verney". Find a Grave. December 3, 2003. Retrieved August 27, 2012.