Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Malone Betts received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 19, 1865 in Greensboro, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Betts was 26 years old.
The medal was presented on October 10, 1892, 27 years after the action.
Betts was born on August 9, 1838 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Betts died on November 10, 1905 in Germantown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 67. He is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala-Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
Betts is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With a force of but 75 men, while on a scouting expedition, by a judicious disposition of his men, surprised and captured an entire battalion of the enemy's cavalry.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- August 9, 1838Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- April 19, 1865Act of valor — Greensboro, North CarolinaAge 26. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry
- October 10, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- November 10, 1905Died in Germantown, PennsylvaniaAge 67.
- Resting placeWest Laurel Hill CemeteryBala-Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Biography
Charles Malone Betts (August 9, 1838 – November 10, 1905) was an American military officer who served as lieutenant colonel in the Union army during the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 10, 1892, for his actions during the war on April 19, 1865, when he led his regiment to charge and capture a South Carolina cavalry battalion. He owned a wholesale lumber company and served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1885 to 1888.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles M. Betts”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
