Elihu H. Mason facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elihu Harlam Mason
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Elihu H. Mason
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| Born | March 23, 1831 Richmond, Indiana |
| Died | September 24, 1896 (aged 65) Pemberville, Ohio |
| Place of burial |
Pemberville Cemetery, Pemberville, Ohio
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |  21st Ohio Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War • Great Locomotive Chase |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Elihu Harlam Mason (March 23, 1831 – September 24, 1896) was a brave soldier during the American Civil War. He served in the Union Army. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for military bravery in the United States. He earned this medal for his actions in a daring mission called the Great Locomotive Chase.
A Soldier's Life
Elihu Mason joined the army in April 1861. He was from Pemberville, Ohio. By April 1862, he was a sergeant in the 21st Ohio Infantry.
The Great Locomotive Chase
In April 1862, Sergeant Mason volunteered for a secret mission. The goal was to go into Confederate territory. They wanted to damage train tracks in Georgia. This would stop the Confederates from moving supplies.
The mission, known as the Great Locomotive Chase, did not go as planned. All the soldiers on the raid were captured. In June, eight of the men were executed. This included the mission leader, James J. Andrews.
Mason and the other captured soldiers tried to escape. They broke out of the Confederate prison on October 16, 1862. Mason was very sick at the time. He could not keep up with the others. He asked them to leave him behind. He was soon recaptured by the Confederates.
Earning the Medal of Honor
Mason and five other recaptured soldiers were released. This happened in a prisoner exchange on March 18, 1863. A prisoner exchange is when opposing sides trade captured soldiers.
Just one week later, on March 25, 1863, Mason received the Medal of Honor. This award was very new at the time. He was only the fourth person ever to receive it. It was given to him for his bravery during the Great Locomotive Chase.
Mason later became a commissioned officer. This means he was promoted to a leadership role. He reached the rank of captain. He fought in another battle called the Battle of Chickamauga. There, he was captured by the Confederates again. He was released in December 1864. He left the army in May 1865.
Life After the War
After the war ended, Mason went back home. He returned to Pemberville, Ohio. He lived to be 65 years old. Elihu Harlam Mason was buried in Pemberville Cemetery.
