Henry M. Hardenbergh

Henry M. Hardenbergh was a veteran of the American Civil War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Henry M. Hardenbergh
Bornc. 1843
Noble County, Indiana
Died(1864-08-28)August 28, 1864
Petersburg, Virginia
Buried
Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Petersburg VA
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1861-1864
RankPrivate[Lt USCT (Commission not received)]
Unit 39th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsCivil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Hardenbergh was born in Noble County, Indiana.[1] He later moved to Tinley Park, Illinois and worked at a store.[1] Little else is known about Hardenbergh's early life.[1]

Hardenbergh joined the Union army on August 15, 1861. He was tasked with manning the requa, a primitive type of rapid fire artillery. In 1862, he fought against soldiers under the command of Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson during Jackson's Valley Campaign. In 1863, he participated in the Siege of Charleston. In January 1864, Hardenbergh's enlistment ended, although he reenlisted following a brief furlough home.[2]

Second Battle of Deep Bottom

On August 16, 1864, Hardenbergh and the 39th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry took part in a 200-yard charge on Confederate fortifications in Henrico County, Virginia. Hardenbergh, who was carrying his regiments colors, but continued advancing after passing the flag onto another soldier. After breaching the Confederate fortifications, Hardenberg engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the color bearer of the 10th Alabama Infantry. He was left severely injured, but he successfully captured the flag.

Following the battle, Hardenbergh presented the captured flag to Union General David B. Birney. Birney recommended Hardenbergh for the Medal of Honor and a lieutenant's commission in the 36th U.S. Colored Troops.[3]

Citation

Capture of flag. He was wounded in the shoulder during this action. He was killed in action at Petersburg on 28 August 1864.[4][5]

Death

Hardenbergh was killed by a Confederate sniper on August 28, 1864 while on picket duty during the Siege of Petersburg. He never received his officers commission and his Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously. He now rests at Poplar Grove Cemetery near Petersburg VA[6][7][8]

Legacy

On Aug. 16, 1995 a marker was erected by Bremen Township near Richmond, Virginia, near where Hardenbergh fought during the Second Battle of Deep Bottom. The marker was placed to commemorate Hardenbergh.[1]

See also

Notes
  1. Stanley, Charles (March 4, 1997). "Bremen Township Honors A Local Civil War Hero". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  2. Stanley, Charles. "Private Henry M. Hardenbergh". Noble Records. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  3. Stanley, Charles. "Private Henry M. Hardenbergh". Noble Records. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  4. Sterner, C. "HARDENBERGH, HENRY M." Home of Heroes. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  5. Seagrave, Ronald (2012). Dinwiddie County, Virginia: A Brief History. The History Press. p. 84.
  6. Stanley, Charles. "Private Henry M. Hardenbergh". Noble Records. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  7. The War of the Rebellion: v. 1-53. United States War Department. 1893. p. 782.
  8. Henry Hardenbergh Find a Grave

References

"Henry M. Hardenbergh". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 11 December 2014.


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