Lt. Colonel Charles E. Capehart (USA)

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Charles E. Capehart (1833–1911) was an officer in the U.S. Cavalry during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for action following the Battle of Gettysburg on July 4, 1863.

Capehart enlisted in the Union Army and was commissioned captain and placed in command of Company A, 1st West Virginia Cavalry. He was subsequently promoted to major of the regiment. Major Capehart assumed command of the 1st West Virginia during the Battle of Gettysburg when Colonel Nathaniel Richmond was promoted to brigade commander. On July 4, 1863 Capehart's regiment, in a daring midnight charge down a mountainside during a thunderstorm, attacked and captured a retreating Confederate wagon train. This act would lead to the awarding of the Medal of Honor.

Capehart was later promoted to lieutenant colonel. His brother, General Henry Capehart was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Civil War.

Medal of Honor citation

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Charles E. Capehart, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 4 July 1863, while serving with 1st West Virginia Cavalry, in action at Monterey Mountain, Pennsylvania. While commanding the regiment, Major Capehart charged down the mountain side at midnight, in a heavy rain, upon the enemy's fleeing wagon train. Many wagons were captured and destroyed and many prisoners taken.

Date of Issue: April 7, 1898

Action Date: July 4, 1863

Charles E. Capehart served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He first served in Company G, 12th Illinois Infantry Regiment (3 month). He entered service on 18 Apr 1861 in Duquoin, IL., mustered in on 2 Mat 1861 in Springfield, IL. and mustered out due to illness on 1 Aug 1861. Charles Capehart was the commissioned an officer in the 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment on 18 Sep 1861 with the rank of Adjutant and resigned on 16 may 1862. He was then commissioned an officer in Company S, West Virginia 1st Cavalry Regiment. Promoted to Full Lt Colonel on 05 Aug 1864. Mustered out on 08 Jul 1865. His name sometimes appeared as Charles H. Capehart, but it is the same person.

• Source - United States Congressional Serial Set, Volume 2444
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Illinois_Volunteer_Infantry_Regi...
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Illinois_Volunteer_Infantry_Regi...
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_West_Virginia_Volunteer_Cavalry_R...