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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Major · U.S. Army

Hartwell B. Compson

Major Hartwell B. Compson, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on March 2, 1865 in Waynesboro, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War March 2, 1865

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Major Hartwell B. Compson received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 2, 1865 in Waynesboro, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 8th New York Cavalry. Compson was about 25 years old.

13 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 26, 1865. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel New York Volunteers.

Compson was born in 1840 in Seneca Falls, Seneca County, New York. Compson died on August 31, 1905, at the age of about 65. He is buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

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

★ Flags & Colors

Official Medal of Honor citation

Capture of flag belonging to Lt. Gen. Jubal Anderson Early's headquarters.

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

Timeline

  1. 1840
    Born in Seneca Falls, Seneca County, New York
  2. March 2, 1865
    Act of valor — Waynesboro, Virginia
    Age about 25. 8th New York Cavalry
  3. March 26, 1865
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. August 31, 1905
    Died
    Age about 65.
  5. Resting place
    Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery
    Portland, Oregon

Also honored for actions on March 2, 1865

Charles W. Anderson Private · Army Civil War · 1865 HB Henry H. Bickford Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 CB Christopher C. Bruton Captain · Army Civil War · 1865 WC Warren Carman Private · Army Civil War · 1865 MC Michael Crowley Private · Army Civil War · 1865 CG Charles Arthur Goheen First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 HH Harry Harvey Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 Andrew Kuder Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 GL George Ladd Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JM James Madison Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 JM John Miller Private · Army Civil War · 1865 Robert Niven Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865

See all 14 recipients for March 2, 1865 →

More Civil War recipients from New York

OS Oloff Smith Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1864 JM John G. Morrison Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1862 John Curtis Gilmore Major · Army Civil War · 1863 JL Joseph Lonsway Private · Army Civil War · 1864 AJ Andrew Jones Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1864 DK Daniel Armer Kelly Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.