Nathan Huntley Edgerton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathan H. Edgerton
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Nathan H. Edgerton
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| Born | August 28, 1839 Barnesville, Ohio |
| Died | October 27, 1932 (aged 93) Agness, Oregon |
| Place of burial |
on his farm in Agness, Oregon
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1863 - 1865 |
| Rank |
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| Unit |  6th Regiment United States Colored Troops |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War -Battle of New Market Heights |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Nathan Huntley Edgerton (born August 28, 1839 – died October 27, 1932) was a brave officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He earned the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for military bravery in the United States. He received it for his amazing courage in battle.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nathan Huntley Edgerton was born on a farm in Barnesville, Ohio. He was one of many children in his family. His parents, Joseph and Charity, were Quakers. Quakers are a religious group known for their peaceful beliefs. They had moved to Ohio from North Carolina.
Nathan's mother passed away when he was 17. His father later remarried. Nathan became a schoolteacher after finishing his education. He taught at the Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. There, he met Esther Lundy Mendenhall, a young Quaker woman.
Joining the Civil War
Quakers believed in peace and were against slavery. Because of his Quaker beliefs, Nathan did not join the war right away. However, in 1863, the Confederate Army invaded Pennsylvania. This changed his mind.
Nathan and Esther decided to break from their Quaker community's strict rules about not fighting. He joined the Pennsylvania militia. He served until the end of the Gettysburg Campaign. A few months later, he became a first lieutenant in the 6th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. This was a unit made up of African-American soldiers.
Heroism at New Market Heights
By 1864, Lieutenant Edgerton was an important officer, called an adjutant, for the 6th USCT. On September 29, 1864, his regiment bravely attacked the Confederate lines. This happened during the Battle of New Market Heights in Virginia.
The enemy waited until the Black soldiers were very close. Then, they fired many shots. Several Union flag bearers were shot down. Even though Lieutenant Edgerton was wounded, he picked up the flag. He carried it forward with his regiment until the Confederates had to retreat.
Two other brave African-American soldiers, Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins and First Sergeant Alexander Kelly, also helped carry the flag. These three men, Edgerton, Hawkins, and Kelly, are shown in a famous painting called Three Medals of Honor.
After the War
About two months after the battle, Nathan married Esther Lu. He returned to his regiment in the new year. Before the war ended, he was promoted to captain. Captain Edgerton left the army on September 20, 1865. This was just a few days after his first son, Arthur, was born.
After the war, Nathan and his family moved to Schuylkill Township. He worked as a supervisor for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He and Esther had three more children: Edward, Ethelwynne, and Ralph.
Many years later, the government reviewed acts of bravery from the war. For his amazing courage, Nathan Huntley Edgerton was awarded the Medal of Honor. He received his medal on March 30, 1898.
Later Life and Legacy
Around 1900, Nathan and his wife moved to a farm in Lower Providence Township. He worked as an electrician.
Later, before 1910, Nathan and Esther moved to a farm in Agness, Oregon. They bought the farm with their youngest son, Ralph. Nathan worked as an electrical engineer there. His son Ralph managed the farm.
In 1914, Nathan's wife Esther passed away after almost 50 years of marriage. Nathan then retired from electrical work. He became a farmer with his son. Nathan Huntley Edgerton, the Medal of Honor recipient, passed away on October 27, 1932, at 93 years old. His family chose to bury him on his farm next to his wife, instead of at Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his four children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
