Private Henry S. Wells, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on September 29, 1864 at Chapin's Farm, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 148th New York Infantry. Wells was about 22 years old.
37 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 6, 1865.
Wells was born in 1842 in Manchester, Ontario County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Phelps, Ontario County, New York. Wells died on October 27, 1864 in Fair Oaks, Virginia, at the age of about 22.
Wells is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With two comrades, took position in advance of the skirmish line, within short distance of the enemy's gunners, and drove them from their guns.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1842Born in Manchester, Ontario County, New York
- September 29, 1864Act of valor — Chapin's Farm, VirginiaAge about 22. Company C, 148th New York Infantry
- October 27, 1864Died in Fair Oaks, VirginiaAge about 22.
- April 6, 1865Medal of Honor presented posthumously
Biography
Henry S. Wells (1842 - October 27, 1864) was an American Soldier in the American Civil War who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was awarded on 6 April 1865 for Welch's actions as a private in the 148th New York Volunteer Infantry at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Virginia on 29 September 1864. Wells died at Fair Oaks, Virginia on 27 October 1864.
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