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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Joseph Lonsway

Private Joseph Lonsway, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 16, 1864 at Murfrees Station, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War October 16, 1864

Private Joseph Lonsway was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 16, 1864 at Murfrees Station, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 20th New York Cavalry. Lonsway was 20 years old.

The medal was presented on March 7, 1917, 52 years after the action.

Lonsway was born on March 17, 1844 in Clayton, Jefferson County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, New York. Lonsway died on January 22, 1925 in Clayton, New York, at the age of 80. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Clayton, New York.

Lonsway 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

Volunteered to swim Blackwater River to get a large flat used as a ferry on the other side; succeeded in getting the boat safely across, making it possible for a detachment to cross the river and take possession of the enemy's breastworks.

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

Timeline

  1. March 17, 1844
    Born in Clayton, Jefferson County, New York
  2. October 16, 1864
    Act of valor — Murfrees Station, Virginia
    Age 20. Company D, 20th New York Cavalry
  3. March 7, 1917
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 22, 1925
    Died in Clayton, New York
    Age 80.
  5. Resting place
    St. Mary's Cemetery
    Clayton, New York

More Civil War recipients from New York

JC John Nicholas Coyne Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1862 OS Oloff Smith Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1864 Martin Schubert Private · Army Civil War · 1862 JG John Greene Captain of the Forecastle · Navy Civil War · 1862 WY William Young Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1862 Herbert E. Farnsworth Sergeant Major · Army Civil War · 1864
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.