Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
James Roberts
Details
- Rank: Seaman
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Agawam - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: December 23, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Fort Fisher, North Carolina, USA
Citation
Roberts served on board the U.S.S. Agawam, as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 23 December 1864. The powder boat, towed in by the Wilderness to prevent detection by the enemy, cast off and slowly steamed to within 300 yards of the beach. After fuses and fires had been lit and a second anchor with short scope let go to insure the boat's tailing inshore, the crew again boarded the Wilderness and proceeded a distance of 12 miles from shore. Less than two hours later the explosion took place, and the following day fires were observed still burning at the fort.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: May 12, 1865
off New Bern, NC, on board the U.S.S. Agawam
- Born: February 14, 1837, England
- Died: October 19, 1908, Bath, NY, United States
- Buried: Bath National Cemetery (MH) (I-26-2), Bath, NY, United States