Joseph H. De Castro
Encyclopedia
Corporal Joseph H. De Castro (November 14, 1844 – May 8, 1892), was the first Hispanic-American to be awarded the United States
' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor
— for having distinguished himself during Pickett's Charge
in the Battle of Gettysburg
of the American Civil War
.
De Castro was the Massachusetts State flag bearer of Company I, 19th Massachusetts Infantry, an all volunteer unit. The unit participated in the Battle of Gettysburg
at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
as part of the III Corps 3rd Brigade, U.S. Army under the command of Colonel Norman J. Hall
.
On July 3, 1863, the third and last day of the battle, his unit participated in what became known as Pickett's Charge
. Pickett's Charge was a disastrous infantry assault ordered by Confederate General Robert E. Lee
against Major General George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge.
During the battle, De Castro attacked a confederate flag bearer from the 19th Virginia Infantry
regiment, with the staff of his own colors and seized the opposing regiment's flag, handing the prize over to General Alexander S. Webb
. General Webb is quoted as saying, "At the instant a man broke through my lines and thrust a rebel battle flag into my hands. He never said a word and darted back. It was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro, one of my color bearers. He had knocked down a color bearer in the enemy's line with the staff of the Massachusetts State colors, seized the falling flag and dashed it to me". On December 1, 1864, De Castro was one of seven men from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant Joseph H. De Castro
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 19th Massachusetts Infantry
Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863
Born:Boston, Mass.
Date of issue: December 1, 1864
Citation:
Capture of flag of 19th Virginia regiment (C.S)
. There he was an active member of the Phil Kearny
Post, number 8 GAR. He was employed by the NY Barge Office when on May 8, 1892, he died in his home at 244 West 22nd Street. His funeral was held at the 18th Street Methodist Church and he was buried at Fairmount Cemetery (Section 2, Lot 300, Grave 2) in Newark, New Jersey.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
— for having distinguished himself during Pickett's Charge
Pickett's Charge
Pickett's Charge was an infantry assault ordered by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863, the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Its futility was predicted by the charge's commander,...
in the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Early years
De Castro was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he was among the men who joined the all volunteer 19th Massachusetts Infantry.Military service
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is a borough that is the county seat, part of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and the eponym for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park and has 3 institutions of higher learning: Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg College, and...
as part of the III Corps 3rd Brigade, U.S. Army under the command of Colonel Norman J. Hall
Norman J. Hall
Norman Jonathan Hall was an officer in the United States Army during the American Civil War, perhaps most noted for his defense of his sector of the Union line against Pickett's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early life:...
.
On July 3, 1863, the third and last day of the battle, his unit participated in what became known as Pickett's Charge
Pickett's Charge
Pickett's Charge was an infantry assault ordered by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863, the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Its futility was predicted by the charge's commander,...
. Pickett's Charge was a disastrous infantry assault ordered by Confederate General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
against Major General George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge.
During the battle, De Castro attacked a confederate flag bearer from the 19th Virginia Infantry
19th Virginia Infantry
The 19th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
regiment, with the staff of his own colors and seized the opposing regiment's flag, handing the prize over to General Alexander S. Webb
Alexander S. Webb
Alexander Stewart Webb was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg...
. General Webb is quoted as saying, "At the instant a man broke through my lines and thrust a rebel battle flag into my hands. He never said a word and darted back. It was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro, one of my color bearers. He had knocked down a color bearer in the enemy's line with the staff of the Massachusetts State colors, seized the falling flag and dashed it to me". On December 1, 1864, De Castro was one of seven men from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor citation
Post Civil War
After the war De Castro entered the regular army and served for a few years. De Castro married Rosalia Rodriguez and in 1882 moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. There he was an active member of the Phil Kearny
Philip Kearny
Philip Kearny, Jr., was a United States Army officer, notable for his leadership in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War. He was killed in action in the 1862 Battle of Chantilly.-Early life and career:...
Post, number 8 GAR. He was employed by the NY Barge Office when on May 8, 1892, he died in his home at 244 West 22nd Street. His funeral was held at the 18th Street Methodist Church and he was buried at Fairmount Cemetery (Section 2, Lot 300, Grave 2) in Newark, New Jersey.
Awards and decorations
Joseph H. De Castro's awards and decorations include the following:See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
- List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
- Hispanics in the American Civil WarHispanics in the American Civil WarHispanics in the American Civil War fought on both the Union and Confederate sides of the conflict. It is estimated that approximately 3,500 Hispanics, mostly Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans living in the United States joined the war: 2500 for the Confederacy and 1000 for the Union...
Further reading
- Right Before Our Eyes: Latinos Past, Present & Future, Robert Montemayor, Henry (COL) Mendoza.
- Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage, Noah Andre Trudeau.
- Pickett's Charge — The Last Attack at Gettysburg, Earl J Hess.