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Sergeant · U.S. Army

Luman Lewis Cadwell

Sergeant Luman Lewis Cadwell, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 20, 1864 in Alabama Bayou, Louisiana during the Civil War.

Sergeant Luman Lewis Cadwell, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 20, 1864 in Alabama Bayou, Louisiana during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 2d New York Veteran Cavalry. Cadwell was 28 years old.

The medal was presented on August 17, 1894, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Cadwell was born on May 22, 1836 in Nanticoke Springs, Broome County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. Cadwell died on July 9, 1925 in Decorah, Iowa, at the age of 89. He is buried at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, Iowa.

Cadwell 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

Swam the bayou under fire of the enemy and captured and brought off a boat by means of which the command crossed and routed the enemy.

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

Timeline

  1. May 22, 1836
    Born in Nanticoke Springs, Broome County, New York
  2. September 20, 1864
    Act of valor — Alabama Bayou, Louisiana
    Age 28. Company B, 2d New York Veteran Cavalry
  3. August 17, 1894
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. July 9, 1925
    Died in Decorah, Iowa
    Age 89.
  5. Resting place
    Phelps Cemetery
    Decorah, Iowa

Biography

Luman L. Cadwell (May 22, 1836 – July 8, 1925) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cadwell received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at the Alabama Bayou, Louisiana on September 20, 1864. He was honored with the award on August 17, 1894.

From the Wikipedia article “Luman L. Cadwell”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More Civil War recipients from New York

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.