Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal James Edwin Cross received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 18, 1861 at Blackburn's Ford, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 12th New York Infantry (Independence Guard). Cross was 21 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 5, 1898, 36 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant Major.
Cross was born on March 27, 1840 in Darien, Genesee County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Batavia, Genesee County, New York. Cross died on January 6, 1917 in Albany, New York, at the age of 76. He is buried at Albany Rural Cemetery in Albany, New York.
Cross 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 a companion, refused to retreat when the part of the regiment to which he was attached was driven back in disorder, but remained upon the skirmish line for some time thereafter, firing upon the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- March 27, 1840Born in Darien, Genesee County, New York
- July 18, 1861Act of valor — Blackburn's Ford, VirginiaAge 21. Company K, 12th New York Infantry (Independence Guard)
- April 5, 1898Medal of Honor presented
- January 6, 1917Died in Albany, New YorkAge 76.
- Resting placeAlbany Rural CemeteryAlbany, New York
Biography
Corporal James Edwin Cross (March 27, 1840 - January 6, 1917) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cross received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Blackburn's Ford in Virginia on 18 July 1861. He was honored with the award on 5 April 1898.
From the Wikipedia article “James E. Cross”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
