Sergeant Thomas J. Higgins, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 22, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 99th Illinois Infantry. Higgins was 31 years old.
99 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 1, 1898, 34 years after the action.
Higgins was born on June 8, 1831 in Riverlequerre, Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to Barry, Pike County, Illinois. Higgins died on August 15, 1917 in Hannibal, Missouri, at the age of 86. He is buried at Holy Family Cemetery in Hannibal, Missouri.
Higgins is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
When his regiment fell back in the assault, repulsed, this soldier continued to advance and planted the flag on the parapet, where he was captured by the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
Timeline
- June 8, 1831Born in Riverlequerre, Canada
- May 22, 1863Act of valor — Vicksburg, MississippiAge 31. Company D, 99th Illinois Infantry
- April 1, 1898Medal of Honor presented
- August 15, 1917Died in Hannibal, MissouriAge 86.
- Resting placeHoly Family CemeteryHannibal, Missouri
Biography
Thomas J. Higgins (June 8, 1831 – August 15, 1917) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War who was a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Vicksburg. Higgins joined the 99th Illinois Infantry in August 1862, and was mustered out in July 1865.
From the Wikipedia article “Thomas J. Higgins”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
