Thomas Foulds Ellsworth

Last updated
Thomas Foulds Ellsworth
Thomas F. Ellsworth.jpg
Born(1840-11-12)November 12, 1840
Ipswich, Massachusetts
DiedAugust 29, 1911(1911-08-29) (aged 70)
Place of burial
Allegiance Flag of the United States (1861-1863).svg United States of America
Service/branchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Union Army
Rank Captain
Unit Flag of Massachusetts.svg Company B, 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars Battle of Honey Hill
AwardsMedal of Honor ribbon.svg Medal of Honor

Thomas Foulds Ellsworth (November 12, 1840 - August 29, 1911) was an American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.

Contents

Biography

Ellsworth served in the Union Army in the 55th Massachusetts Infantry. He received the Medal of Honor on November 18, 1895, for his actions at the Battle of Honey Hill.

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Infantry) Thomas Foulds Ellsworth, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 November 1864, while serving with Company B, 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, in action at Honey Hill, South Carolina. Under a heavy fire Captain Ellsworth carried his wounded commanding officer from the field. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

United States Colored Troops African American soldiers for the Union in the American Civil War

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the United States Army composed primarily of African-American (colored) soldiers, although members of other minority groups also served with the units. They were first recruited during the American Civil War, and by the end of that war in April 1865, the 175 USCT regiments constituted about one-tenth of the manpower of the Union Army. About 20% of USCT soldiers died, a rate about 35% higher than that of white Union troops. Despite heavy casualties, many fought with distinction, 15 USCT soldiers receiving the Medal of Honor and numerous others receiving other honors.

Francis E. Warren United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Francis Emroy Warren was an American politician of the Republican Party best known for his years in the United States Senate representing Wyoming and being the first Governor of Wyoming. A soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War, he was the last veteran of that conflict to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Milton L. Haney United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Milton Lorenzo Haney was a regimental chaplain in the United States Army.

Frank Baldwin United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Frank Dwight Baldwin, a native of Constantine, Michigan, and born in Manchester, Michigan, is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor twice. Baldwin received his first award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign where he led his company in battle at Peachtree Creek and captured two commissioned officers in the American Civil War. He received his second for conspicuous bravery in 1874 during the Indian Wars. Baldwin holds the distinction of being the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in different conflicts. He also fought in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War and rose to the rank of major general before retiring.

John Michael Tobin (1841–1898) was an officer in the Union Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Malvern Hill during the American Civil War.

African American Civil War Memorial Museum Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC

The African American Civil War Memorial Museum, in the U Street district of Washington, D.C.., recognizes the contributions of the 209,145 members of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). The eponymous memorial, dedicated in July of 1998 by the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, commemorates the service of 209,145 African-American soldiers and about 7,000 white and 2,145 Hispanic soldiers, together with the approximate 20,000 unsegregated Navy sailors, who fought for the Union in the American Civil War, mostly among the 175 regiments of United States Colored Troops.

The Battle of Honey Hill was the third battle of Sherman's March to the Sea, fought November 30, 1864, during the American Civil War. It did not involve Major General William T. Sherman's main force, marching from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, but was a failed Union Army expedition under Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch that attempted to cut off the Charleston and Savannah Railroad in support of Sherman's projected arrival in Savannah.

Marcus Hanna (lighthouse keeper) Medal of Honor recipient

Marcus Aurelius Hanna was an American lighthouse keeper famous for his heroism. He is the only person in history to have received both the Medal of Honor and the Gold Lifesaving Medal.

Andrew Jackson Smith (Medal of Honor) United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Andrew Jackson Smith was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Honey Hill.

Francis E. Brownell United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Francis Edwin Brownell was a Union Army soldier who received a Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Civil War. Brownell received the award for killing James W. Jackson after Jackson shot Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, colonel of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Although Brownell did not receive the award until 1877, twelve years after the war had ended, his actions were the earliest in the war that resulted in the receipt of the award.

Charles A. Hunter American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

Charles Adams Hunter was a soldier in the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for valor in action.

Mason Carter United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Mason Carter was a U.S. Army officer who served in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars during the late 19th century. He received the Medal of Honor for his role in the Battle of Bear Paw fought on January 8, 1877.

John Griffiths (Medal of Honor) U.S. Navy sailor of the American Civil War, recipient of the Medal of Honor

John Griffiths 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.

Captain John Harties Brown was a Canadian soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Brown received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Second Battle of Franklin in Tennessee on 30 November 1864. He was honored with the award on 13 February 1865.

Andrew H. Embler American medal of Honor recipient

Andrew Henry Embler was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Boydton Plank Road in Virginia on October 27, 1864. He would later serve as the Connecticut Adjutant General for two years.

Robert M. Cox American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

Corporal Robert M. Cox was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cox received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Vicksburg in Mississippi on May 22, 1863. He was honored with the award on December 31, 1892.

Sergeant Augustin D. Flanagan was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Flanagan received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Virginia on 29 September 1864. He was honored with the award on 6 April 1865.

John H. Harbourne American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

John H. Harbourne was an English born American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Harbourne received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Harbourne's medal was won for his actions during the Second Battle of Petersburg on June 17, 1864. He was honored with the award on February 24, 1897.

Thomas N. Graham

Thomas N. Graham was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment Civil War Union military unit

The 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was the sister regiment of the renowned Massachusetts 54th Volunteers during the latter half of the American Civil War. The enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation by United States President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863 had opened the way for the enlistment of free men of color and newly liberated slaves to fight for their freedom within the Union Army. As the ranks of the 54th Massachusetts quickly reached its full complement of recruits, an overflow of colored volunteers continued to pour in from several other states outside Massachusetts-many of whom simply had not arrived in time-prompting Governor John Albion Andrew to authorize yet another regiment of colored soldiers sponsored by the Commonwealth. Thus, the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry came into being.

References