Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Army
John Francis Weston
Details
- Rank: Major (Highest Rank: Major General)
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
4th Kentucky Cavalry - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: April 13, 1865
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Wetumpka, Alabama, USA
Citation
This officer, with a small detachment, while en route to destroy steamboats loaded with supplies for the enemy, was stopped by an unfordable river, but with five of his men swam the river, captured two leaky canoes, and ferried his men across. He then encountered and defeated the enemy, and on reaching Wetumpka found the steamers anchored in midstream. By a ruse obtained possession of a boat, with which he reached the steamers and demanded and received their surrender.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Camp Anderson, Monroe County, Kentucky
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: April 9, 1898
- Born: November 13, 1845, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY, United States
- Died: August 3, 1917, Briarcliff Manor, NY, United States
- Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (2-856), Arlington, VA, United States