Martin Freeman (sailor)
Encyclopedia
Martin Freeman was a civilian employee of the Union Navy
during 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
. He is one of only a handful of civilians to have received the medal.
Born on May 18, 1814, in Germany, Freeman was living in Louisiana when he was hired by the Navy as a pilot
. He served aboard Admiral David Farragut
's flagship, the . Throughout the Battle of Mobile Bay
, Alabama, on August 5, 1864, Freeman guided the Union fleet into the bay from Hartfords maintop despite heavy Confederate
fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.
Freeman's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Freeman was promoted to acting volunteer lieutenant before the end of the war. He died on September 11, 1894, at age 80 and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Pascagoula, Mississippi
.
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
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...
and a recipient of the U.S. 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 Mobile Bay
Battle of Mobile Bay
The Battle of Mobile Bay of August 5, 1864, was an engagement of the American Civil War in which a Federal fleet commanded by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut, assisted by a contingent of soldiers, attacked a smaller Confederate fleet led by Adm...
. He is one of only a handful of civilians to have received the medal.
Born on May 18, 1814, in Germany, Freeman was living in Louisiana when he was hired by the Navy as a pilot
Maritime pilot
A pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. With the exception of the Panama Canal, the pilot is only an advisor, as the captain remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel....
. He served aboard Admiral David Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
's flagship, the . Throughout the Battle of Mobile Bay
Battle of Mobile Bay
The Battle of Mobile Bay of August 5, 1864, was an engagement of the American Civil War in which a Federal fleet commanded by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut, assisted by a contingent of soldiers, attacked a smaller Confederate fleet led by Adm...
, Alabama, on August 5, 1864, Freeman guided the Union fleet into the bay from Hartfords maintop despite heavy Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.
Freeman's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
As pilot of the flagship, U.S.S. Hartford, during action against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram TennesseeCSS Tennessee (1863)CSS Tennessee, an ironclad ram, was built at Selma, Alabama, where she was commissioned on February 16, 1864, Lieutenant James D. Johnston, CSN, in command. towed her to Mobile where she was fitted out for action....
, in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. With his ship under terrific enemy shellfire, Freeman calmly remained at his station in the maintop and skillfully piloted the ships into the bay. He rendered gallant service throughout the prolonged battle in which the rebel gunboats were captured or driven off, the prize ram Tennessee forced to surrender, and the fort successfully attacked.
Freeman was promoted to acting volunteer lieutenant before the end of the war. He died on September 11, 1894, at age 80 and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...
.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F