Colonel James Alexander Williamson, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 29, 1862 in Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 4th Iowa Infantry. Williamson was 33 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 17, 1895, 32 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Major General U.S. Volunteers.
Williamson was born on February 8, 1829 in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky. His Medal of Honor is credited to Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Williamson died on September 7, 1902 in Jamestown, Rhode Island, at the age of 73. He is buried at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia.
Williamson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Led his regiment against a superior force, strongly entrenched, and held his ground when all support had been withdrawn.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Timeline
- February 8, 1829Born in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky
- December 29, 1862Act of valor — Chickasaw Bayou, MississippiAge 33. 4th Iowa Infantry
- January 17, 1895Medal of Honor presented
- September 7, 1902Died in Jamestown, Rhode IslandAge 73.
- Resting placeRock Creek CemeteryWashington, District of Columbia
Biography
James A. Williamson (February 8, 1829 – September 7, 1902) was a politician and lawyer who served in the Union army during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou.
From the Wikipedia article “James Alexander Williamson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
