Frederick William Fout facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick William Fout
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Medal of Honor recipient Frederick W Fout c1896
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| Born | October 1839 Meissen, Germany |
| Died | June 6, 1905 St. Louis, Missouri |
| Buried |
Bellefontaine Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank |
 |
| Unit |  15th Independent Battery, Indiana Light Artillery |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Second Lieutenant Frederick William Fout (born 1839, died 1905) was a soldier from Germany who fought in the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the United States. He earned this award for his courageous actions near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, on September 15, 1862. He was given this special honor on November 2, 1896.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to America
Frederick William Fout was born as Friedrich Wilhelm Fout in Meissen, Germany, on October 1, 1839. When he was about 15 years old, he left Germany and moved to the United States. He went to live with his uncle in New Palestine, Indiana. When he arrived, he changed his name to the more American-sounding Frederick William. Before the war began, he worked as a carpenter.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War started, Frederick Fout joined the army in April 1861. He first signed up for three months with the 7th Indiana Infantry Regiment. He took part in battles like the Battle of Philippi and the Battle of Laurel Hill. After his first service ended in August, he decided to join the Indiana Light Artillery.
Earning the Medal of Honor
It was during his time with the Indiana Light Artillery that Frederick Fout showed incredible bravery. This act of courage earned him the prestigious Medal of Honor. He was promoted to first lieutenant in January 1864. He was then put in charge of his artillery unit, which was called a "battery." General William Tecumseh Sherman even mentioned in his personal writings that Fout's battery fired the very first cannon shell into the city of Atlanta during the war.
Life After the War
Frederick Fout officially became a United States citizen in 1865, after the war ended. He then moved to New York, where he married the daughter of his former school teacher. Later, he moved to Indianapolis and started his own business making glass.
Several years later, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and continued his glass-making work there. In his later years, he worked with pensions and claims, and also built houses. Frederick William Fout passed away on June 6, 1905. He was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
