Medal of Honor Recipients, 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers
The following list of eight Medal of Honor winners from the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers was generously provided by the U. S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle, PA 17013. The source of this information is the U.S. Government Printing Office publication Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1978. According to that book, there were approximately 1500 medals awarded during the Civil War.
Charles H. Clausen — First Lieutenant, Company H. At Spotsylvania, VA., 12 May 1864.
"Although severely wounded, he led the regiment against the enemy, under a terrific fire, and saved a battery from capture."
Issued: 25 June 1892.
Joseph Fisher — Corporal, Company C. At Petersburg, VA., 2 April 1865.
"Carried the colors 50 yards in advance of his regiment, and after being painfully wounded attempted to crawl into the enemy's works in an endeavor to plant his flag thereon."
Issued: 16 January 1894
John C. Matthews — Corporal, Company A. At Petersburg, VA., 2 April 1865.
"Voluntarily took the colors, whose bearer had been disabled, and, although himself severely wounded, carried the same until the enemy's works were taken."
Issued: 13 February 1891.
Milton Matthews — Private, Company C. At Petersburg, VA., 2 April 1865.
"Capture of flag of 7th Tennessee Infantry (C.S.A.)"
Issued: 10 May 1865.
George W. Mindil — Captain, Company I. At Williamsburg, VA., 5 May 1862.
"As aide-de-camp led the charge with a part of a regiment, pierced the enemy's center, silenced some of his artillery, and, getting in his rear, caused him to abandon his position."
Issued: 25 October 1893.
Theodore Mitchell — Private, Company C. At Petersburg, VA., 2 April 1865.
"Capture of the flag of the Tennessee Brigade (C.S.A.)."
Issued: 10 May 1865.
Robert L. Orr — Major. At Petersburg, VA., 2 April 1865.
"Carried the colors at the head of the column in the assault after two color bearers had been shot down."
Issued: 28 November 1892.
Sylvester D. Rhodes — Sergeant, Company D. At Fishers Hill, VA., 22 September 1864.
"Was on the skirmish line which drove the enemy from the first entrenchment and was the first man to enter the breastworks, capturing one of the guns and turning it upon the enemy."
Issued: 16 February 1897.
Edited by: Dick Creps (descendant of Jacob Creps, Captain Company A)