Philip Petty

Philip Petty (May 15, 1840 – December 22, 1917) was a British American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Petty received the Medal of Honor for his action in the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862.

Philip Petty
Petty in 1875
BornMay 15, 1840 (1840-05-15)
Tingewick, England
DiedDecember 22, 1917(1917-12-22) (aged 77)
Daggett, Pennsylvania, US
Buried
Daggett, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1861–1865
RankSergeant
Unit Company A, 136th Pennsylvania Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Petty was born in Tingewick, England, on May 15, 1840. He moved to Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Union Army's 136th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers as a musician in August 1862. Shortly after enlisting, Petty took the position of a private in the infantry and joined a Company of his regiment. He received the Medal of Honor on August 21, 1893, for carrying the company's colors after the color bearer was wounded. Prior to the 20th century, colors were used to signal the movement of a military unit.[1][2]

During the Battle of Fredericksburg, Petty and his regiment were slowly advancing through tall grass when they were caught up in enemy fire.[3] The color bearer was wounded and dropped the colors, so Petty's commanding officer, a colonel, requested volunteers to carry the colors. Petty heeded the request by picking up the colors and continuing to advance with his fellow soldiers. An enemy counterattack pushed his regiment back and forced it to retreat. At one point during the retreat, Petty planted the colors and fired shots back at the enemy line. His commanding officer later told the regiment of what Petty did and he was given cheers and a promotion to color sergeant.[1][3]

Petty raised horses in Daggett, Pennsylvania.[4] He was awarded the Medal of Honor on August 21, 1893. Petty died on December 22, 1917.[2]

Medal of Honor citation

Citation: Took up the colors as they fell out of the hands of the wounded color bearer and carried them forward in the charge.[2]

See also

References
  1. Beyer, Walter (1907). Deeds of valor: how America's heroes won the Medal of Honor. Perrien-Keydel Co. pp. 121, 122.
  2. "Medal of Honor Recipients - Civil War (M-R)". history.army.mil. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
  3. O'Reilly, Francis (2006). The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock. LSU Press. p. 191. ISBN 9780807140680.
  4. Jackson Township Directory
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