Richard Gage
Encyclopedia
Richard J. Gage was a soldier in the 104th Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War
. On July 2, 1863 he volunteered for an attack on a blockhouse by the Elk River
in Tennessee
. On October 30, 1897 he received the Medal of Honor
, the highest decoration in the U.S. military, for his participation in this action.
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...
. On July 2, 1863 he volunteered for an attack on a blockhouse by the Elk River
Elk River (Tennessee)
The Elk River is a tributary of the Tennessee River in the U.S. states of Tennessee and Alabama. The river is about long altogther.-Hydrography:...
in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. On October 30, 1897 he received 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...
, the highest decoration in the U.S. military, for his participation in this action.
Medal of Honor citation
Gage's Medal of Honor citation reads:Voluntarily joined a small party that, under a heavy fire, captured a stockade and saved the bridge.