Samuel McConnell

Branch

U.S. Army

Era

Civil War

Home state

Illinois

Action

Fort Blakely, Alabama

The citation

Official citation

While leading his company in an assault, Capt. McConnell braved an intense fire that mowed down his unit. Upon reaching the breastworks he found that he had only one member of his company with him, Pvt. Wagner. He was so close to an enemy gun that the blast knocked him down a ditch. Getting up, he entered the gun pit, the guncrew fleeing before him. About 30 paces away he saw a Confederate flag bearer and guard which he captured with the last shot in his pistol.

Sources

• U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index