William Henry Powell (soldier)
| William Henry Powell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 10, 1825 Pontypool, Wales |
| Died |
December 26, 1904 (aged 79) Belleville, Illinois |
| Buried at | Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards |
 Medal of Honor |
William Henry Powell (May 10, 1825 - July 20, 1909) was an American soldier who fought for the Union in the American Civil War. He quickly ascended to higher roles in the cavalry, and received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor.[1] Powell's medal was won for his heroism at Sinking Creek, Virginia, when, as leader of a group of 21 men, he captured a 500-man enemy camp, without a single loss of life on November 26, 1862.[1] He was honored with the award on July 22, 1890.[2]
In January 1863, Powell was shot while leading cavalry in Wytheville, Virginia. Although surgeons on both sides believed his wound was fatal, Powell survived—and became a prisoner of war. He was later exchanged, and returned to command the 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment.
In a letter sent to headquarters in 1864, General George Crook said "Colonel Powell has served with me often since the commencement of the war. He has distinguished himself in every battle he was engaged in under me. He has been recommended by me on several occasions, for promotion. I regard him as one of the best cavalry officers I have ever seen in the service." Powell was later promoted to brigadier general, and commanded an entire brigade.
Army career
Powell was able to sign up the men who worked under him at the Lawrence Iron Works in Ironton, Ohio, and so was appointed an officer, a common practice in the civil war.[3] Powell and his men formed the B Company of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, and he was appointed their Captain on November 8, 1861.[4] Powell was quickly appointed their major after his strong performance in the Battle of Jannett's Creek in Eastern Kentucky on January 7, 1862.[3] The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was part of the Kanawha Division commanded by George Crook who learned of the location of two Confederate camps, belonging to the 14th Virginia Cavalry.[3]
Powell was successively appointed major on June 25, 1862; lieutenant colonel on October 25, 1862 and colonel on May 18, 1863.[4] Powell was wounded in the chest and captured at Wytheville, Virginia on July 18, 1863 and exchanged on February 22, 1864.[4] Powell was appointed a Brigadier-General on October 19, 1864, and resigned on January 5, 1865.[4]
Biography
Powell was born in Pontypool, Wales, and emigrated to Tennessee at the age of five.[4] Powell was the manager of the Lawrence Iron Works in Ohio before he enlisted in the army in Ironton, Ohio.[4] Powell died in Belleville, Illinois on December 26, 1904, having worked as a manufacturer of nails after the war, and later supervised the construction of a nail factory.[4] Powell was buried in the Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2]
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major William Henry Powell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 26 November 1862, while serving with 2d West Virginia Cavalry, in action at Sinking Creek, Virginia, for distinguished services in raid, where with 20 men, he charged and captured the enemy's camp, 500 strong, without the loss of man or gun.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "William Henry Powell". Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- 1 2 "Civil War (G-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Robert W. Black (2004). Cavalry Raids of the Civil War. Stackpole Books. pp. 79–. ISBN 978-0-8117-3157-7.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 John H. Eicher (2001). Civil War High Commands. Stanford University Press. pp. 438–. ISBN 978-0-8047-8035-3.