Thomas Evans (Union soldier)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Evans was a soldier in the Union Army
who received the United States
military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions during the American Civil War
.
in 1824 and was attached to Company D, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry
, when he volunteered for service in the Union Army dring the American Civil War. On June 5, 1864, his unit engaged a Confederate
force at Piedmont, Virginia
where he and a fellow soldier, Pvt. James Snedden of Company E, both earned the Medal of Honor.
In his report, the 54th Pennsylvania's commander, Colonel J. M. Campbell wrote:
He died in 1866 and is buried in Bethel Cemetery Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
. His name, along with others from the area, was inscribed on a bronze plaque attached to a Civil War monument. The plaque is located in Veterans Square in the town of Piedmont.
, Pa. Birth: Wales
. Date of issue: 26 November 1864.
Citation:
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...
who received the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military's highest award for valor, 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 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...
.
Biography
He was born in WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in 1824 and was attached to Company D, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry
54th Pennsylvania Infantry
The 54th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment which served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-History:The 54th was recruited during August and September 1861...
, when he volunteered for service in the Union Army dring the American Civil War. On June 5, 1864, his unit engaged a 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...
force at Piedmont, Virginia
Piedmont, Virginia
The Piedmont region of Virginia is a part of the greater Piedmont region which stretches from the falls of the Potomac, Rappahannock, and James Rivers to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region is 50 miles wide, more or less, and 100 miles in length...
where he and a fellow soldier, Pvt. James Snedden of Company E, both earned the Medal of Honor.
In his report, the 54th Pennsylvania's commander, Colonel J. M. Campbell wrote:
Lieut. R.P. Robison of Company B captured Colonel Browne, who commanded a Virginia brigade [sic]... Two colonels of regiments, with other field staff, and line officers, too numerous to mention were captured by different members of my regiment. Private Thomas Evans, of Company D, wrested the colors from a color bearer of a Tennessee regiment [sic], sending the color bearer to the rear. So numerous were the captures made of the enemy, that I was compelled to stop taking them to the rear, and simply disarm them and turn them out over the barricade to be taken charge of by the cavalry, who were in the open field on our right and rear.
He died in 1866 and is buried in Bethel Cemetery Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. His name, along with others from the area, was inscribed on a bronze plaque attached to a Civil War monument. The plaque is located in Veterans Square in the town of Piedmont.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: At Piedmont, Va., 5 June 1864. Entered service at: Cambria CountyCambria County, Pennsylvania
Cambria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It comprises the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 143,679....
, Pa. Birth: Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Date of issue: 26 November 1864.
Citation:
Capture of flag of 45th Virginia45th Virginia InfantryThe 45th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in the Commonwealth of Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
(C.S.A.Confederate States ArmyThe Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
).
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F