William H. Horsfall
Encyclopedia
William H. Horsfall was one of the youngest men to receive the Medal of Honor
during the American Civil War
. He was born in 1847, in Newport, Kentucky
. Horsfall was a 15 year old drummer in Co. G, 1st Kentucky Infantry
. The medal was awarded for saving the life of a wounded officer during the Siege of Corinth
on May 21, 1862.
Horsfall was later commander of William Nelson Post GAR
of Newport. He died on October 22, 1922 in Newport and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery
in Southgate, Kentucky
.
Citation:
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...
during 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...
. He was born in 1847, in Newport, Kentucky
Newport, Kentucky
Newport is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The population was 15,273 at the 2010 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is part of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metro Area which...
. Horsfall was a 15 year old drummer in Co. G, 1st Kentucky Infantry
1st Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
The 1st Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 1st Kentucky Infantry was organized at Pendleton in Cincinnati, Ohio, March - April 1861 as a three-month regiment...
. The medal was awarded for saving the life of a wounded officer during the Siege of Corinth
Siege of Corinth
The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
on May 21, 1862.
Horsfall was later commander of William Nelson Post GAR
Gar
In American English the name gar is strictly applied to members of the Lepisosteidae, a family including seven living species of fish in two genera that inhabit fresh, brackish, and occasionally marine, waters of eastern North America, Central America, and the Caribbean islands.-Etymology:In...
of Newport. He died on October 22, 1922 in Newport and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery
Evergreen Cemetery (Southgate, Kentucky)
Evergreen Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Campbell County, Kentucky. It is still in operation and is located at 25 Alexandria Pike in Southgate, Kentucky. The Cemetery was begun in the 1840s, to replace the Newport, Cemetery...
in Southgate, Kentucky
Southgate, Kentucky
Southgate is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, a part of metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio. The population was 3,472 at the 2000 census.-History:...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization. Drummer, Company G, 1st Kentucky Infantry. Place and date: At Corinth, Miss., May 21, 1862. Entered service at : ------. Birth: Campbell County, Ky. Date of issue: August 17, 1895.Citation:
Saved the life of a wounded officer lying between the lines.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L