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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Major · U.S. Army

William Henry Powell

Major William Henry Powell, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 26, 1862 at Sinking Creek, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War November 26, 1862Born in Wales

Major William Henry Powell was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 26, 1862 at Sinking Creek, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 2d West Virginia Cavalry. Powell was 37 years old.

The medal was presented on July 22, 1890, 27 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Major General.

Powell was born on May 25, 1825 in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales — one of 8 recipients born in Wales. His Medal of Honor is credited to Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio. Powell died on December 26, 1904 in Belleville, Illinois, at the age of 79. He is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

Powell 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

Distinguished services in raid, where with 20 men, he charged and captured the enemy's camp, 500 strong, without the loss of a man or gun.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: Pontypool — map
  • Died: Belleville — map
  • Buried: Graceland Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Ohio →

Timeline

  1. May 25, 1825
    Born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales
  2. November 26, 1862
    Act of valor — Sinking Creek, Virginia
    Age 37. 2d West Virginia Cavalry
  3. July 22, 1890
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. December 26, 1904
    Died in Belleville, Illinois
    Age 79.
  5. Resting place
    Graceland Cemetery
    Chicago, Illinois

Biography

William Henry Powell (May 10, 1825 – December 26, 1904) was an American soldier who fought for the Union in the American Civil War. He was a leader in the iron and nail business before the war, and his leadership abilities proved useful in the military. Powell began as a captain, and quickly ascended to higher roles in the cavalry, including commanding a regiment, a brigade, and then a division. Powell was awarded his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for heroism at Sinking Creek, Virginia, when, as leader of a group of 22 men, he captured an enemy camp and took over 100 prisoners.

From the Wikipedia article “William Henry Powell (soldier)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More Civil War recipients from Ohio

WW William Haliday Williams Private · Army Civil War · 1864 WJ William F. John Private · Army Civil War · 1863 Isaac Harrison Carmin Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 JV Joseph van Matre Private · Army Civil War · 1865 Franz Frey Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 WL William Henry Longshore Private · Army Civil War · 1863
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.