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Henry H. Bickford

Residence was not listed; 22 years old.

Enlisted on 10/19/1861 at Hartland, NY as a Private.

On 11/11/1861 he mustered into "E" Co. NY 8th Cavalry 
He Re-enlisted on 12/1/1863
He was Mustered Out on 6/27/1865 at Alexandria, VA


Promotions:
* Corpl 
* Qtr Master Serg 5/1/1865 


Other Information:
born 3/13/1838 in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., MI
died 5/20/1917 in Middleport, NY 
Buried: Hartland Central Cemetery, Hartland, NY

Medal of Honor Information:
He was awarded the Medal of Honor
for action on 3/2/1865 at Waynesboro, VA.
(Recapture of flag)

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - New York:  Report of the Adjutant-General 1893-1906
 - Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1994
 - Deeds of Valor.  How our Soldier-heroes won the Medal of Honor
 - Congress Medal of Honor Legion of the United States
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com


Waynesboro, VA
03/02/65

BRILLIANT CONDUCT IN A FIERCE BATTLE

Hartwell B. Compson, Robert Niven, & Andrew Kuder,
Charles Goheen, Daniel Kelly, Henry Bickford,
James Congdon, John Miller, Peter O'Brien,
Warren Carman, Harry Harvey, George Ladd,
Michael Crowley


LEAVING Winchester, Va., on February 27, 1865, General Sheridan 
began his march to Petersburg, Va., with the intention of 
destroying the Central Railroad and James River Canal.  General 
Early with a large Confederate force stood ready to oppose and 
frustrate, if possible, the expedition, and upon learning of the 
approach of the Federals went into position at Waynesboro, Va.  
The two armies clashed March 2d.  The rain had been pouring in 
torrents for two days and the roads were bad beyond description ; 
nevertheless the Union men seemed tireless, although neither they 
nor their horses could be recognized for the mud which covered 
them.  General Early had at his disposal two brigades of infantry 
and some cavalry under General Rosser, the infantry occupying 
breastworks.  General Custer was ordered to attack the enemy and, 
not wanting the Confederates to get up their courage during the 
delay that a careful reconnoissance necessitated, made his 
dispositions for attack at once, sending three regiments around 
the left flank of the enemy, which was somewhat exposed by being 
advanced from, instead of resting upon, the bank of the river in 
his immediate rear.  "Our general committed an unpardonable error 
in posting so small a force with a swollen river in its rear and 
with its flanks wholly exposed,"  says a Confederate report of 
General Early's position.  General Custer with two brigades, 
partly mounted and partly dismounted, at a given signal boldly 
attacked and impetuously carried the enemy's works, while the 
Eighth New York and the Twenty-second New York Cavalry formed in 
columns of fours, dashed over the breastworks and continued the 
charge through the little town of Waynesboro, the Twenty-second 
supporting the Eighth New York.  The Eighth crossed the South 
Fork of the Shenandoah River-General Early's rear-where they 
formed with drawn sabres and held the east bank of the stream.  
The enemy being now pressed by Custer found their retreat cut 
off, and, completely disorganized, confused, bewildered, threw 
down their arms.  Amidst cheers and hurrahs the victorious 
Federals surrounded their brave opponents.

The substantial result of this magnificent victory was the 
capture of the Confederate General Wharton and some 1,800 
officers and men, fourteen pieces of artillery, seventeen battle-
flags and a train of nearly two hundred wagons and ambulances, 
including General Early's headquarters wagon, containing all his 
official papers and records, 1,500 stands of small arms and 800 
team horses and mules.

It was a battle where the Eighth New York Cavalry, under the 
gallant leadership of Major Hartwell B. Compson, earned undying 
fame.  The major himself performed wonderful feats of bravery and 
set an example which electrified his men and inspired them to 
deeds of splendid heroism.  At the head of his troops who were 
selected to make the attack, he charged down the highway into 
Waynesboro.  The enemy had five pieces of artillery in the 
roadway and had thrown up earthworks on each side of the road ; 
behind these breastworks infantry was posted.  He was at the head 
of his command with a color-bearer on one side and a bugler on 
the other, when they struck the Confederate forces and a hand-to-
hand fight took place.  Just then General Early and his staff 
moved down their front to direct the movement of the Confederate 
forces.

Coming upon Early's headquarters battle-flag he ordered the 
bearer to surrender.  A fierce fight at close quarters ensued and 
finally a heavy blow with the sabre knocked his opponent from his 
horse and the flag was captured.

Breaking through the Confederates, he moved his forces down 
towards South River and kept up the charge until he reached the 
bank.  Seeing that the enemy were closing in on his rear and that 
his support did not come up, he crossed the river and found 
earthworks thrown up on the opposite side from which the enemy 
could have prevented their crossing had they occupied them.  He 
at once dismounted his men and placed them in the Confederate 
earthworks.  Then when Custer pressed down upon the rebels they 
were forced to cross the river, where they were ordered to 
surrender.  The result was that when the battle was over Colonel 
Compson's command alone had taken 800 prisoners five pieces of 
artillery, 1,500 stands of small arms and eight battle-flags.

Being needed no longer at the ford, Compson, who had noticed the 
enemy moving their wagon-trains over the mountains by way of Rock 
Fish Gap, followed with his regiment, overhauled it and captured 
everything in sight.  It was in this action where Second 
Lieutenant Robert Niven, of Company H, of the same regiment, had 
a hot encounter with a body of rebels.  "I was ordered to pick 
out five men from my company,"  says the lieutenant,  " to go 
ahead as an advance guard and we pressed along the narrow, hilly 
road, densely lined with woods.  By this time the atmosphere was 
quite foggy.  I had gotten far in advance of my comrades when 
suddenly I found myself right in the midst of a wagon-train 
composed of about ten wagons and a dozen Confederates, commanded 
by a lieutenant.  With a great show of bravery I ordered them to 
surrender and promised that every one who attempted to escape 
would be shot on the spot.  But they saw that a one-man order to 
twelve scattered men was practically worthless, when the bushes 
around there offered such a good opportunity to get away.  
Consequently, when the regiment came up I had captured not only 
three or four prisoners, but also two rebel flags, ten army 
wagons with mules attached, the lieutenant's horse, and all of 
General Early's official papers."

Second Lieutenant Andrew Kuder, First Sergeant Charles A. Goheen 
and Sergeant Daniel Kelly of Company G, and also Corporal Henry 
H.  Bickford and Sergeant James Congdon as well as Private John 
Miller of this same regiment, the Eighth New York Cavalry, were 
fortunate enough to capture rebel colors in this grand melee.

Rebel flags were also captured in this battle by Privates Peter 
O'Brien and Warren Carman, of the First New York Cavalry  
(Lincoln),  and Harry Harvey, George Ladd and Michael Crowley of 
the Twenty-second New York Cavalry.  All of above mentioned were 
awarded the Medal of Honor.


Source:  Deeds of Valor, p. 487 


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