Capt. William Wirt Winegar

Name Suffix: Capt.

Scans Nos. 162, 163, 214, 215, 506, 507, 508, 2126, 2127, 2128 with signature..

Nondaga Cemetery, Bath NY

According to Civil War Records, William Wirt Winegar was a member of Company B, 130th Regiment, New York Volunteers, 19th NY Cav. 1st NY Dragoons. He was enlisted August 4, 1862; and was mustered out June 30, 1865. He was wounded in action of Trevilian Station, June 12, 1864. He was wounded in the left knee by a musket ball. He was awarded Medal of Honor, No. 289, for distinguished gallantry at Five Forks, Virginia, April 1, 1865 when at age 21 he captured a Confederate flag. The Citation read: "While advancing in front of his company and alone, he found himself surrounded by the enemy. He accosted a nearby enemy flag-bearer, demanding the surrender of the group. His effective firing of one shot so demoralized the unit that it surrendered with flag. [The Congressional Medal of Honor is in the possession of Lydia Hecht, Union Springs NY.]

From Encarta CD Encyclopedia Article "Civil War, American - IX - "Union success at the Battle of Five Forks on April 1 [1865] signaled the end of the long defense of Richmond, after which Lee's army retreated westward until forced to surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9. With Lee's surrender, the war was clearly drawing to a close."

From "The War of the Rebellion - 1861-1865", Phisterer 3rd Ed. 1909 - "Winegar, William W., age 18 years; enrolled August 4, 1862, at Mt. Morris to serve three years; mustered in as Corporal, Company B, 130th Infantry, September 3, 1862; promoted Sergeant, January 1, 1863; First Sergeant, March 1, 1863; mustered in as Second Lieutenant, Company A, November 19, 1864; First Lieutenant, February 25, 1865; mustered out with company, June 30, 1865, at Cloud's Mills, Va; Captain, U.S. Volunteers, by brevet, from March 13, 1865; medal of honor; commissioned Second Lieutenant, November 19, 1864, with rank from September 7, 1864, vice Bayer, promoted; First Lieutenant, March 6, 1865, with rank from February 23, 1865, vice Bayer, discharged.

From Union Springs Advertiser obituary Sept. 21, 1916: "Capt. W. W. Winegar, died at his home on the Mitchelville road early last Sunday morning, after a long illness.. burial service being read at the grave in Nondaga cemetery by Captain Winegar's comrades in Custer Point."

William Wirt Winegar married Ella Crum Brundage in the Presbytereian Church of Bath NY by Rev. James M. Platt.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) William W. Winegar, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 April 1865, while serving with Company B, 19th New York Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons), in action at Five Forks, Virginia. While advancing in front of his company and alone, First Lieutenant Winegar found himself surrounded by the enemy. He accosted a nearby enemy flag-bearer demanding the surrender of the group. His effective firing of one shot so demoralized the unit that it surrendered with flag.

General Orders: Date of Issue: May 3, 1865

Action Date: April 1, 1865

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Company B

Division: 19th New York Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons)

links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_W._Winegar
• http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/1506/winegar-william-w.php

Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Brevet Captain in the Union Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a First Lieutenant in Company B, 19th New York Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons) for action on April 1, 1865 at Five Forks, Virginia. His citation reads "While advancing in front of his company and alone, he found himself surrounded by the enemy. He accosted a nearby enemy flag-bearer demanding the surrender of the group. His effective firing of one shot so demoralized the unit that it surrendered with flag."* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 16 2022, 4:19:52 UTC