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Nathan H. Edgerton
[[Image:Nathan H. Edgerton  File:US-MOH-1862.png|center|200px|border]]'
Personal Information
Born: August 28, 1839(1839-08-28)
Place of Birth: {{{place of birth}}}
Died: October 27, 1932 (aged 93)
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: Lieutenant
Service number : {{{servicenumber}}}
Unit:
Commands: 6th United States Colored Troops
Battles: American Civil War
-Battle of New Market Heights
Awards: Medal of Honor
Relations:
Other work: {{{otherwork}}}


Nathan Huntley Edgerton (August 28, 1839 – October 27, 1932) was a Union Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in the American Civil War.

Lt. Edgerton was a white infantry officer and the adjutant of the 6th United States Colored Troops. In the early morning of September 29, 1864, his regiment advanced against the Confederate line at the Battle of New Market Heights in Virginia.

The Rebs held their fire until the Black soldiers were within 150 yards then unleashed a deadly volley of lead. One Union flag bearer was shot down, then another, then a third. Lt. Edgerton, despite being wounded himself, lifted up the flag and advanced it with his regiment until the Confederates retreated. For his conspicuous act of bravery, Nathan Huntley Edgerton was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He received his medal on March 30, 1898. A native of Ohio, Edgerton later moved to Oregon where he died at the age of 93. He is buried on his farm in Agness, Oregon.

Medal of Honor citation[]

Rank and organization: Lieutenant and Adjutant, 6th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., September 29, 1864. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth: ------. Date of issue: March 30, 1898.

Citation:

Took up the flag after 3 color bearers had been shot down and bore it forward, though himself wounded.

See also[]

  • List of Medal of Honor recipients
  • List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F

References[]

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