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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Captain · U.S. Army

William Ludgate

Captain William Ludgate, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 7, 1865 in Farmville, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War April 7, 1865Born in England

Captain William Ludgate was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 7, 1865 in Farmville, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company G, 59th New York Veteran Infantry. Ludgate was 29 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 10, 1889, 24 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Major.

Ludgate was born on March 11, 1836 in London, England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Ludgate died on June 14, 1912 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 76. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Ludgate is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry and promptness in rallying his men and advancing with a small detachment to save a bridge about to be fired by the enemy.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: England — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. March 11, 1836
    Born in London, England
  2. April 7, 1865
    Act of valor — Farmville, Virginia
    Age 29. Company G, 59th New York Veteran Infantry
  3. August 10, 1889
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. June 14, 1912
    Died in Washington, District of Columbia
    Age 76.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

William Ludgate (March 11, 1836 – June 14, 1912) was a captain in the Union Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War. Ludgate joined the army from New York City in May 1861, and was assigned to the 82nd New York Infantry, rising to the rank of sergeant major. He re-enlisted as a veteran in March 1864, and transferred to the 59th New York Infantry, where he was commissioned as an officer in September 1864. He was ultimately discharged in June 1865.

From the Wikipedia article “William Ludgate”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 7, 1865

JG John Galloway Commissary Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865

More Civil War recipients from New York

GH George Hollat Third Class Boy · Navy Civil War · 1862 Louis Palma di Cesnola Colonel · Army Civil War · 1863 TF Thomas S. Flood Boy · Navy Civil War · 1862 Henry Jeremiah Parks Private · Army Civil War · 1864 PB Peter Martin Boehm Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 JY James Marvin Young Private · 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.