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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Charles Henry Tompkins

First Lieutenant Charles Henry Tompkins, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 1, 1861 in Fairfax, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War June 1, 1861

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Charles Henry Tompkins received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 1, 1861 in Fairfax, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 2d U.S. Cavalry. Tompkins was 30 years old.

The medal was presented on November 13, 1893, 32 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General.

Tompkins was born on September 12, 1830 in Fort Monroe, Hampton County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Tompkins died on January 18, 1915 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 84. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia. His medal is held by West Point Museum (1863 design), West Point, NY.

Tompkins is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Twice charged through the enemy's lines and, taking a carbine from an enlisted man, shot the enemy's captain.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Fort Monroe — map
  • Died: Washington, D.C. — map
  • Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. September 12, 1830
    Born in Fort Monroe, Hampton County, Virginia
  2. June 1, 1861
    Act of valor — Fairfax, Virginia
    Age 30. 2d U.S. Cavalry
  3. November 13, 1893
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 18, 1915
    Died in Washington, District of Columbia
    Age 84.
  5. Resting place
    Oak Hill Cemetery
    Washington, District of Columbia

Biography

Charles Henry Tompkins (September 12, 1830 – January 18, 1915) was an American officer who served as a Union Army colonel, who received an appointment to the brevet grade of Brigadier General of volunteers during the American Civil War. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in action on June 1, 1861, in the Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1861). This was the first action in the Civil War for which a Union Army officer would receive the Medal of Honor, although it was not awarded until 1893. He is not to be confused with another Union officer, Brevet Brigadier General Charles H. Tompkins (1834 – 1895) who commanded the 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery Regiment.

From the Wikipedia article “Charles Henry Tompkins”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Same unit

Lloyd Milton Brett Second Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1880 Eli Lundy Huggins Captain · Army Indian Campaigns · 1880 EM Edward John McClernand Second Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 TR Theophilus Francis Rodenbough Captain · Army Civil War · 1864

More Civil War recipients from New York

JB James Byrnes Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 JH John H. Haight Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1861 NH Nathan Mullock Hallock Private · Army Civil War · 1863 AT Andrew Traynor Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864 DM Daniel Milliken Quarter Gunner · Navy Civil War · 1865 GT George Taylor Armorer · Navy Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.