Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Edwin M. Truell received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 21, 1864 near Atlanta, Georgia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 12th Wisconsin Infantry. Truell was 22 years old.
The medal was presented on March 11, 1870, 5 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Truell was born on August 19, 1841 in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Mantson, Oneida County, Wisconsin. Truell died on October 12, 1907 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 66. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Truell is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Although severely wounded in a charge, he remained with the regiment until again severely wounded, losing his leg.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Although severely wounded in a charge, he remained with the regiment until again severely wounded, losing his leg.
- Age at death: 66
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Wisconsin →
Timeline
- August 19, 1841Born in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- July 21, 1864Act of valor — near Atlanta, GeorgiaAge 22. Company E, 12th Wisconsin Infantry
- March 11, 1870Medal of Honor presented
- October 12, 1907Died in Washington, District of ColumbiaAge 66.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Edwin M. Truell (August 19, 1841 – October 12, 1907) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “Edwin M. Truell”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- Edwin M. Truell: Determined Survivor of the Atlanta Campaigncmohs.org · 2025