By Paul LaRue
America 250-Ohio Education Committee Co-Chair
Ohio has the distinction of leading the nation with the most Black Civil War Medal of Honor recipients from a single regiment. Ohio is both the birthplace and final resting place for two of these American heroes.
The Medal of Honor, first presented in 1863, is the highest award for military bravery. The award recognizes personal bravery “above and beyond the call of duty.” Presented in the name of the Congress of the United States, the medal is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Ohio has a fascinating history of Black Civil War military service. Massachusetts first recruited Black soldiers from Ohio in the spring of 1863. Nearly 400 Black Ohioans were recruited for the Massachusetts 54th and 55th Infantry, as well as the Massachusetts 5th Cavalry. Ohio began recruiting for its own Black regiments by the summer of 1863. By war’s end, Ohio recruited 5,092 Black soldiers to fill two complete regiments: the 5th and 27th United States Colored Infantry (USCI). Other Ohio recruits helped fill and support several Black regiments. Black soldiers from Ohio saw heavy combat while serving in both the Massachusetts and Ohio regiments.
The Battle at Chaffin’s Farm, sometimes spelled “Chapins,” occurred on September 29, 1864. This battle is also referred to as the Battle of New Market Heights. The battle was one of a series of battles fought in the Richmond area by Black soldiers. At the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, 3,000 Black Soldiers from several regiments stormed Confederate positions. Ohio’s 5th USCI saw heavy combat in this assault. First Sergeants Powhattan Beaty, James Bronson, Robert Pinn, and Sergeant Major Milton Holland, were recipients of the Medal of Honor for their bravery in the Battle of Chapins Farm. Their Medal of Honor citations read: “Took command of his company, all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantry led it.” These four Medal of Honor Recipients are the most from any one Black Civil War regiment. Cincinnati native Sergeant Major Thomas Hawkins of the 6th USCI was another recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery in the battle. His citation reads: “Rescue of regimental colors.”
Another interesting Ohio connection to Medal of Honor involves the story of Corporal Andrew J. Smith. Corporal Smith received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2001. The long delay was caused by documentation issues. Corporal Smith, a native of Clinton, Illinois, was a member of the 55th Massachusetts Infantry. His Medal of Honor was for bravery at the Battle of Honey Hill. An excerpt from his citation reads “…the 55th’s Color Sergeant was killed by an exploding shell, and Corporal Smith took the Regimental Colors from his hand and carried them…” The 55th’s Color Sergeant referred to in the citation was Robert King, a Tennessee native. King and his family were living in New Richmond, Ohio when he enlisted in the Massachusetts 55th. Color Sergeant King’s military file states “… Detailed as Color Sergeant – Killed in action at Honey Hill S.C. Nov. 30, 1864 while gallantly leading a charge with the colors…”
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm. Hopefully Ohioans take a moment to reflect on these forgotten heroes and Medal of Honor recipients.