Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Landsman Richard Stout received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 30, 1863 at Stono River, South Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Isaac Smith. Stout was about 27 years old.
Stout was born in 1836 in Owego, Tioga County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Stout died on August 6, 1896 in Owego, New York, at the age of about 60. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Owego, New York.
Stout 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
Serving on board the U.S.S. Isaac Smith, Stono River, 30 January 1863. While reconnoitering on the Stono River on this date, the U.S.S. Isaac Smith became trapped in a rebel ambush. Fired on from two sides, she fought her guns until disabled. Suffering heavy casualties and at the mercy of the enemy who was delivering a raking fire from every side, she struck her colors out of regard for the wounded aboard, and all aboard were taken prisoners. Carrying out his duties bravely through this action, Stout was severely wounded and lost his right arm while returning the rebel fire.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Suffering heavy casualties and at the mercy of the enemy who was delivering a raking fire from every side, she struck her colors out of regard for the wounded aboard, and all aboard were taken prisoners.
Carrying out his duties bravely through this action, Stout was severely wounded and lost his right arm while returning the rebel fire.
- Age at death: about 60
- Resting place: Evergreen Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1836Born in Owego, Tioga County, New York
- January 30, 1863Act of valor — Stono River, South CarolinaAge about 27. U.S.S. Isaac Smith
- August 6, 1896Died in Owego, New YorkAge about 60.
- Resting placeEvergreen CemeteryOwego, New York
Biography
Richard Stout (1836 – August 6, 1896) was a Union Navy sailor during the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor for his actions in an engagement with Confederate naval and land forces on the Stono River in South Carolina. On January 30, 1863, Stout was serving as a Landsman on the USS Isaac Smith when his ship was ambushed and captured by Confederate forces while operating on the Stono River in South Carolina. For his conduct during this action, in which he was badly wounded, Stout was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 16, 1864. Stout died at age 59 or 60 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Owego, New York.
From the Wikipedia article “Richard Stout”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
