Civil War

William J. Carson

Musician · U.S. Army

Company E, 1st Battalion, 15th U.S. Infantry

19 September 1863 · Chickamauga, Georgia

Public domain. United States Army Source file

Branch: U.S. Army
Era: Civil War
Home state: Ohio
Action: Chickamauga, Georgia

The citation

Official citation

At a critical stage in the battle when the 14th Corps lines were wavering and in disorder he on his own initiative bugled "to the colors" amid the 18th U.S. Infantry who formed by him, and held the enemy. Within a few minutes he repeated his action amid the wavering 2d Ohio Infantry. This bugling deceived the enemy who believed reinforcements had arrived. Thus, they delayed their attack.