Army Approves Medal of Honor for Soldier Killed at Gettysburg

On March 9th, 2010, the office of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) announced that Lt. Alonzo Cushing, who was killed in action at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3rd, 1863, had been recommended by the U.S. Army to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Back in 2003, Feingold had written to the Army Secretary at the request of a group of citizens who wanted Cushing to receive the honor. After a lengthy investigation, Secretary of the Army John McHugh recommended Cushing be given the award.

In his press release, Feingold stated "This is a tremendous honor made possible by a group of devoted citizens with immense pride in Alonzo Cushing's actions and Wisconsin history. I am grateful to have been able to help secure this very prestigious and well-deserved honor for a Wisconsin hero who fought valiantly and gave his life for his country." Cushing's supporters were indeed dedicated, even setting up a Facebook Page called "Give Alonzo Cushing the Medal of Honor".

Alonzo Cushing in the Civil War

Alonzo Heresford Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin in 1841 (or in what would later become Wisconsin; at that time, Wisconsin was still a territory) and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1861. He saw action in several battles, including First Bull Run, The Peninsular Campaign, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. At Gettysburg, Cushing was in command of Battery A of the 4th U.S. Artillery of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock's Second Corps. On July 3rd, Battery A was located behind the copse of trees and the stone wall that would later be called the "High Water Mark". The Confederate artillery bombardment prior to the advance of General George Pickett's Division put four of Cushing's six cannon out of action. Cushing was not deterred. He asked for, and got permission, to move his two remaining artillery pieces forward to the stone wall for maximum effect on the advancing Confederates. As the Virginian's of Brigadier General Richard Garnett's Brigade approached the wall and fired, Cushing was seriously wounded, but continued directing his artilleryman and firing the guns himself as his men were hit. He was killed when a bullet hit him in the mouth.

Alonzo Cushing was 22 years old. In his after action report, Second Corps Artillery Brigade commander Captain John G. Hazard wrote of Cushing: "He especially distinguished himself for his extreme gallantry and bravery, his courage and ability, and his love for his profession. His untimely death and the loss of such a promise as his youth cherished are sincerely mourned." Today a stone monument stands near where he fell. And if Congress approves, Cushing will finally receive the ultimate recognition of his bravery, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Sources

Press Release March 9, 2010. Feingold Announces Army Approval of Medal of Honor for Wisconsin Civil War Hero. Press Release March 9, 2010.

Gettysburg National Military Park Virtual Tour: The High Water Mark

Give Alonzo Cushing the Medal of Honor Facebook page

Boatner, Mark. The Civil War Dictionary. New York: Vintage Books, 1981.

Trudeau, Noah Andre. Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.

U.S. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington, DC: 1880-1901.