Private Thomas Cosgrove, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 15, 1864 in Drewry's Bluff, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 40th Massachusetts Infantry. Cosgrove was 34 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 7, 1896, 32 years after the action.
Cosgrove was born on June 12, 1829 in County Galway, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to East Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Cosgrove died on March 27, 1912 in East Lexington, Massachusetts, at the age of 82. He is buried at Munroe Cemetery in Lexington, Massachusetts. His medal is held by Vermont Veterans Militia Museum (1863 & 1904 designs), Colchester, VT.
Cosgrove is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Individually demanded and received the surrender of seven armed Confederates concealed in a cellar, disarming and marching them in as prisoners of war.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- June 12, 1829Born in County Galway, Ireland
- May 15, 1864Act of valor — Drewry's Bluff, VirginiaAge 34. Company F, 40th Massachusetts Infantry
- November 7, 1896Medal of Honor presented
- March 27, 1912Died in East Lexington, MassachusettsAge 82.
- Resting placeMunroe CemeteryLexington, Massachusetts
Biography
Thomas Cosgrove (June 12, 1829 – March 27, 1912) was an Irish soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Thomas Cosgrove”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
