Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Quartermaster · U.S. Navy

Thomas W. Hamilton

Quartermaster Thomas W. Hamilton, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 27, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War May 27, 1863Born in Scotland

Quartermaster Thomas W. Hamilton, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 27, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Cincinnati. Hamilton was about 30 years old.

9 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Hamilton was born in 1833 in Scotland — one of 41 recipients born in Scotland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Hamilton died on April 7, 1869, at the age of about 36. He was buried at sea.

Hamilton 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

Served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863. Engaging the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati, amidst an incessant fire of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last although so penetrated by enemy shell fire that her fate was sealed. Conspicuously gallant during this action, Hamilton, severely wounded at the wheel, returned to his post and had to be sent down below, to hear the incessant roar of guns as the gallant ship went down, "her colors nailed to the mast."

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Places

  • Born: Scotland — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. 1833
    Born in Scotland
  2. May 27, 1863
    Act of valor — Vicksburg, Mississippi
    Age about 30. U.S.S. Cincinnati
  3. April 7, 1869
    Died
    Age about 36.
  4. Resting place
    Buried at sea

Biography

Thomas W. Hamilton (1833–1869) was born in 1833 in Scotland, but later moved to Weymouth, Massachusetts. Hamilton fought in the American Civil War for the Union, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while quartermaster aboard the USS Cincinnati. During the attack on the Vicksburg batteries, May 27, 1863, Hamilton, though severely wounded, returned to his post and had to be sent below. After serving in the military, Hamilton served in the merchant marine. On April 7, 1869, he died of consumption while serving aboard a merchant vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, and was buried at sea.

From the Wikipedia article “Thomas W. Hamilton (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on May 27, 1863

FB Frank Bois Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1863 Thomas E. Corcoran Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1863 FD Frederick Nelson Deland Private · Army Civil War · 1863 HD Henry Dow Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 TJ Thomas Jenkins Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1863 HJ Henry T. Johns Private · Army Civil War · 1863 MM Martin McHugh Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1863 JS James N. Strong Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 Francis Emroy Warren Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from Massachusetts

RG Robert J. Gardner Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 EL Edwin Leonard Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 OO Oliver Albert O'Brien Coxswain · Navy Civil War · 1864 DH Daniel C. Harrington Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1862 MS Martin Schwenk Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 JW John Walsh Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.