Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Robert Buffum received the Medal of Honor for his actions in April 1862 in Georgia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 21st Ohio Infantry. Buffum was about 34 years old.
The medal was presented on March 25, 1863. He later rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Buffum was born in 1828 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Gilead, Wood County, Ohio. Buffum died on July 20, 1871 in Auburn, New York, at the age of about 43. He is buried at Soule Cemetery in Auburn, New York.
Buffum is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
One of the 19 of 24 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Timeline
- 1828Born in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts
- April 1862Act of valor — GeorgiaAge about 34. Company H, 21st Ohio Infantry
- March 25, 1863Medal of Honor presented
- July 20, 1871Died in Auburn, New YorkAge about 43.
- Resting placeSoule CemeteryAuburn, New York
Biography
Robert Buffum (July 7, 1828 to July 20, 1871) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Buffum was the third person to receive the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Great Locomotive Chase in Georgia (U.S. state) in April 1862. He was honored with the award on 25 March 1863.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert Buffum”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- The Great Locomotive Chase: The First Awarded Medals of Honorcmohs.org · 2022
