James Fegan

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James Fegan
Indian Wars
AwardsMedal of Honor

Indian Wars. In March 1868, while escorting a powder train en route from Fort Harker to Fort Dodge, Kansas, he single-handedly prevented a mob from blowing up the train to free an army deserter. For his efforts, he received the Medal of Honor
.

Fegan was popular and well known in the military during his lifetime. He was especially noted for his shrewdness and humor, having many colorful stories and anecdotes attributed to him. President Chester A. Arthur spoke of him in a special message to the United States Congress in 1882. His life and career were among several prominent officers profiled by author Theo F. Rodenbough in his books Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor (1886) and Sabre and Bayonet: Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure (1897).

Biography

Early life and military career

Born in

Appomattox Courthouse and the subsequent surrender of General Lee's Army.[1][2]

Incident at Plum Creek

Fegan remained with the

posse from local townspeople and demanded that the deserter be released. Refusing to turn over his prisoner, the mob attempted to set the gunpowder on fire and take the deserter by force. Fegan ran off the mob single-handed, wounding two of his attackers, and continued to Fort Dodge where he safely arrived on March 13. He was recommended by the fort commander for the Medal of Honor[1][2] which he received on October 19, 1868.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Later years

Fegan continued to serve with the 3rd U.S. Infantry during the last years of his life. Though placed in the

Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. shortly after his sixth reenlistment in 1870, he was granted discharged from the home and returned to duty in the Montana Territory
.

Fegan was a well-known character in the regiment, known for his shrewdness and humor, and many memorable anecdotes were attributed to him during his lifetime. On December 6, 1882, Fegan was the subject of a special presidential message by

Crow Agency in Montana.[6][10]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 3d U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Plum Creek, Kans., March 1868. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: October 19, 1878.

Citation:

While in charge of a powder train en route from Fort Harker to Fort Dodge, Kans., was attacked by a party of desperadoes, who attempted to rescue a deserter in his charge and to fire the train. Sgt. Fegan, single-handed, repelled the attacking party, wounding 2 of them, and brought his train through in safety.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Rodenbough, Theo F., ed. Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor: Some of the Noble Deeds For Which the Medal Has Been Awarded, Described By Those Who Have Won It, 1861-1866. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1886. (pg. 391-400)
  2. ^ a b c Rodenbough, Theo F., ed. Sabre and Bayonet: Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure. New York: G.W. Dillingham & Co., 1897. (pg. 350-359)
  3. ^ Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Medal of Honor recipients, 1863-1973, 93rd Cong., 1st sess. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1973. (pg. 289)
  4. ISBN 0-939526-19-0
  5. ISBN 0-922564-00-0
  6. ^
    ISBN 1-882810-34-1
  7. ISBN 0-916445-47-X
  8. ^ Sterner, C. Douglas (1999). "MOH Citation for James Fegan". MOH Recipients: Indian Campaigns. HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  9. ^ Army Times Publishing Company. "Military Times Hall of Valor: James Fegan". Awards and Citations: Medal of Honor. MilitaryTimes.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  10. ^ Sterner, C. Douglas (1999). "Photo of Grave site of MOH Recipient James Fegan". Medal of Honor recipient Gravesites In The State of Montana. HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  11. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients". Indian War Campaigns. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on November 6, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.

External links

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