Sergeant William H. Sickles was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 31, 1865 at Gravelly Run, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 7th Wisconsin Infantry. Sickles was 20 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 28, 1917, 51 years after the action.
Sickles was born on October 27, 1844 in Danube, Herkimer County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Fall River, Columbia County, Wisconsin. Sickles died on September 26, 1938 in Orting, Washington, at the age of 93. He is buried at Soldier's Home Cemetery in Orting, Washington.
Sickles is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With a comrade, attempted capture of a stand of Confederate colors and detachment of nine Confederates, actually taking prisoner three members of the detachment, dispersing the remainder, and recapturing a Union officer who was a prisoner in hands of the detachment.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Wisconsin →
Timeline
- October 27, 1844Born in Danube, Herkimer County, New York
- March 31, 1865Act of valor — Gravelly Run, VirginiaAge 20. Company B, 7th Wisconsin Infantry
- February 28, 1917Medal of Honor presented
- September 26, 1938Died in Orting, WashingtonAge 93.
- Resting placeSoldier's Home CemeteryOrting, Washington
Biography
William H. Sickles (October 27, 1844 – September 26, 1938) was an American soldier who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war.
From the Wikipedia article “William Sickles”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- William H. Sickles: The Power of Surprisecmohs.org · 2025
