Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Sergeant Edmund English received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 6, 1864 at Wilderness Campaign, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 2d New Jersey Infantry. English was 19 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 13, 1891, 26 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
English was born on November 16, 1844 in New York, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. English died on May 27, 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 67. He is buried at Old Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
English is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.
Official Medal of Honor citation
During a rout and while under orders to retreat, seized the colors, rallied the men, and drove the enemy back.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- November 16, 1844Born in New York, New York
- May 6, 1864Act of valor — Wilderness Campaign, VirginiaAge 19. Company C, 2d New Jersey Infantry
- February 13, 1891Medal of Honor presented
- May 27, 1912Died in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAge 67.
- Resting placeOld Cathedral CemeteryPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
