Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Ordinary Seaman Peter Cotton received the Medal of Honor for his actions between December 23 and 27, 1862 at Yazoo River, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Baron De Kalb. Cotton was 23 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Coxswain.
Cotton was born on June 17, 1839 in New York, New York. His medal is held by Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Cotton 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
Cotton served on board the U.S.S. Baron De Kalb in the Yazoo River expedition, 23 to 27 December 1862. Proceeding under orders up the Yazoo River, the Baron De Kalb, with the object of capturing or destroying the enemy's transports, came upon the steamers John Walsh, R.J. Locklan, Golden Age, and the Scotland, sunk on a bar where they were ordered to be burned. Continuing up the river, the Baron De Kalb was fired upon but, upon returning the fire, caused the enemy's retreat. Returning down the Yazoo, she destroyed and captured large quantities of enemy equipment and several prisoners. Serving bravely throughout this action, Cotton, as Coxswain, "distinguished himself in the various actions."
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Yazoo Pass Expedition.
Places
- Born: New York City — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- June 17, 1839Born in New York, New York
- December 23 - 27, 1862Act of valor — Yazoo River, MississippiAge 23. U.S.S. Baron De Kalb
Biography
Peter Cotton (June 17, 1839 – unknown) was an American sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Cotton received the Medal of Honor, the country's highest award for bravery during combat, for his action aboard the USS Baron DeKalb during the Yazoo Pass expedition between 23 and 27 December 1862. He was honored with the award on 3 April 1863.
From the Wikipedia article “Peter Cotton”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
