Private Richard Beddows, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 18, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 34th New York Battery. Beddows was 20 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 10, 1896, 32 years after the action.
Beddows was born on June 27, 1843 in Liverpool, England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to Flushing, Queens County, New York. Beddows died on February 15, 1922 in Mt. Vernon, New York, at the age of 78. He is buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Rochelle, New York. His medal is held by New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Beddows 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
Brought his guidon off in safety under a heavy fire of musketry after he had lost it by his horse becoming furious from the bursting of a shell.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- June 27, 1843Born in Liverpool, England
- May 18, 1864Act of valor — Spotsylvania, VirginiaAge 20. 34th New York Battery
- July 10, 1896Medal of Honor presented
- February 15, 1922Died in Mt. Vernon, New YorkAge 78.
- Resting placeHoly Sepulchre CemeteryNew Rochelle, New York
Biography
Private Richard Beddows (June 27, 1843 to February 15, 1922) was a British soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Beddows was awarded the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action in Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on 18 May 1864. He was honored with the award on July 10, 1896.
From the Wikipedia article “Richard Beddows”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
