Edward B. Spalding
Encyclopedia
Edward Burson Spalding was a Union Army
soldier in the American Civil War
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions at the Battle of Shiloh
.
Born on February 2, 1840, in Byron, Illinois
, Spalding joined the Army from Rockford
. By April 6, 1862, he was serving as a sergeant
in Company E of the 52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
. On that day, at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
, during the Battle of Shiloh
, he was severely wounded but continued to fight for the remainder of the battle. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor several decades later, on January 15, 1894.
Spalding's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Spalding died on March 4, 1920, at age 80 and was buried at Floyd Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa
.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
soldier in 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...
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, 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 his actions at the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
.
Born on February 2, 1840, in Byron, Illinois
Byron, Illinois
Byron is a city in Ogle County, Illinois, United States, probably best known as the location of the Byron Nuclear Generating Station, one of the last nuclear power plants commissioned in the United States. Byron is located in Byron Township, along the Rock River. The population was 3,753 at the...
, Spalding joined the Army from Rockford
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
. By April 6, 1862, he was serving as a sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in Company E of the 52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 52nd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 52nd Illinois Infantry was organized at Geneva, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on November 19, 1861....
. On that day, at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee is a historic river landing on the west bank of the Tennessee River in Hardin County, Tennessee. It was named for "Pitts" Tucker who operated a tavern at the site in the years preceding the American Civil War...
, during the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
, he was severely wounded but continued to fight for the remainder of the battle. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor several decades later, on January 15, 1894.
Spalding's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Although twice wounded, and thereby crippled for life, he remained fighting in open ground to the close of the battle.
Spalding died on March 4, 1920, at age 80 and was buried at Floyd Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
.