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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Edward Newton Whittier

First Lieutenant Edward Newton Whittier, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 22, 1864 at Fisher's Hill, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War September 22, 1864

First Lieutenant Edward Newton Whittier, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 22, 1864 at Fisher's Hill, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 5th Battery, Maine Light Artillery. Whittier was 24 years old.

4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 13, 1892, 27 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.

Whittier was born on July 1, 1840 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. His Medal of Honor is credited to Gorham, Cumberland County, Maine. Whittier died on June 14, 1902 in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 61. He is buried at Pierce Family Grave Yard in East Baldwin, Maine.

Whittier is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 66 credited to Maine.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While acting as assistant adjutant general, Artillery Brigade, 6th Army Corps, went over the enemy's works, mounted, with the assaulting column, to gain quicker possession of the guns and to turn them upon the enemy.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: Portland — map
  • Died: Maine — map
  • Buried: Pierce Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maine →

Timeline

  1. July 1, 1840
    Born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
  2. September 22, 1864
    Act of valor — Fisher's Hill, Virginia
    Age 24. 5th Battery, Maine Light Artillery
  3. January 13, 1892
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. June 14, 1902
    Died in Boston, Massachusetts
    Age 61.
  5. Resting place
    Pierce Family Grave Yard
    East Baldwin, Maine

Biography

Edward Newton Whittier (July 1, 1840 – June 14, 1902) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He took temporary command of the 5th Maine Battery when Captain Greenlief T. Stevens was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. Whittier received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Fisher's Hill near Strasburg, Virginia fought September 21–22, 1864. The battle was one of the engagements of the Valley Campaigns of 1864. Whittier was later breveted to the rank of captain. He was a companion of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

From the Wikipedia article “Edward N. Whittier”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on September 22, 1864

JC James Connors Private · Army Civil War · 1864 JC John Creed Private · Army Civil War · 1864 GM George G. Moore Private · Army Civil War · 1864 Sylvester D. Rhodes Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864

Same unit

John F. Chase Private · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from Maine

RS Richard Henry Seward Paymaster's Steward · Navy Civil War · 1863 Andrew Barclay Spurling Lieutenant Colonel · Army Civil War · 1865 JM James McLeod Captain of the Foretop · Navy Civil War · 1862 Thomas Worcester Hyde Major · Army Civil War · 1862 SD Samuel W. Davis Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1864 RB Robert M. Blair Boatswain's Mate · 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.