Sergeant Major Herbert E. Farnsworth, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 11, 1864 at Trevilian Station, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 10th New York Cavalry (Porter Guard). Farnsworth was 29 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 1, 1898, 33 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Farnsworth was born on August 23, 1834 in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Gowanda, Cattaraugus County, New York. Farnsworth died on July 4, 1908 in Clarkston, Washington, at the age of 73. He is buried at Pomeroy City Cemetery in Pomeroy, Washington.
Farnsworth 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
Voluntarily carried a message which stopped the firing of a Union battery into his regiment, in which service he crossed a ridge in plain view and swept by the fire of both armies.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- August 23, 1834Born in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, New York
- June 11, 1864Act of valor — Trevilian Station, VirginiaAge 29. 10th New York Cavalry (Porter Guard)
- April 1, 1898Medal of Honor presented
- July 4, 1908Died in Clarkston, WashingtonAge 73.
- Resting placePomeroy City CemeteryPomeroy, Washington
Biography
Herbert E. Farnsworth (August 23, 1834 – July 4, 1908) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Farnsworth received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Trevilian Station at Trevilian Station in Virginia on June 11, 1864. He was honored with the award on April 1, 1898.
From the Wikipedia article “Herbert E. Farnsworth”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
