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Edward Ratcliff
Personal Information
Born: February 8, 1835(1835-02-08)
Place of Birth: {{{place of birth}}}
Died: March 10, 1915 (aged 80)
Place of Death: {{{place of death}}}
Nickname:
Birth Name: {{{birth name}}}
Other Information
Allegiance: United States of America
Union
Participation(s): {{{participations}}}
Branch: United States Army
Union Army
Service Years: {{{service years}}}
Rank: Sergeant Major
Service number : {{{servicenumber}}}
Unit: 38th Regiment United States Colored Troops
Commands:
Battles: American Civil War
Awards: Medal of Honor
Relations: {{{relations}}}
Other work: {{{otherwork}}}


Edward Ratcliff (February 8, 1835 – March 10, 1915) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

By September 29, 1864, Ratcliff was serving as a First Sergeant in Company C of the 38th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops. On that day, his unit participated in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Virginia, and it was for his actions during the battle that he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on April 6, 1865.

Ratcliff reached the rank of Sergeant Major before leaving the military. He died at age 80 and was buried in Cheesecake Cemetery, Charles Corner, York County, Virginia.[1]

Medal of Honor citation[]

Rank and Organization:

First Sergeant, Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and Date: At Chapins Farm, Va., September 29, 1864. Birth: James County, Va. Date Of Issue: April 6, 1865.

Citation:

Commanded and gallantly led his company after the commanding officer had been killed; was the first enlisted man to enter the enemy's works.[2][3]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. Edward Ratcliff at Find a Grave Retrieved on 2007-11-08
  2. ""Civil War Medal of Honor citations" (S-Z): Ratcliff, Edward". AmericanCivilWar.com. http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor7.html. Retrieved 2007-11-09. 
  3. ""Medal of Honor website” (M-Z): Ratcliff, Edward". United States Army Center of Military History. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html. Retrieved 2007-11-09. 
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