Biography: Henry Hill, Schuylkill County

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jay Zane
jrzane@bigfoot.com

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HENRY HILL
        
        The only Schuylkill County winner of the Congressional Medal of  Honor in
the Civil War who did not achieve this honor by capturing or re-capturing
the flag on the field of battle appears to have been Henry Hill, a native
of Pottsville, who died at his home in Schuylkill Haven on August 3, 1909,
at the age of 66.

        Hill's citation as reported by the Adjutant Genera; of the United States
is brief and not too descriptive.

        The government's records show Henry Hill was issued the Congressional
Medal of Honor September 23, 1897, for most distinguished gallantry in
action at the Wilderness, Virginia, May 6, 1864, while serving as a
corporal (later sergeant) in Company C, 50th Pennsylvania Infantry.

        The language in a communication from the Adjutant General's Office is
followed by this citation:  "This soldier, with one companion, would not
retire when his regiment fell back in confusion after an unsuccessful
charge, but instead, advanced and continued firing upon the enemy until the
regiment reformed and regained its position."

        There appears to be little of a tangible nature to amplify this
description of Hill's heroism.

        Francis B. Wallace, in his excellent and detailed "Memorial of the
Patriotism of Schuylkill County in the Amercan Slaveholder;s Rebellion,"
published in 1865 by Benjamin Bannan of Pottsville, devotes four pages to
the 50th Regiment's part in the campaign of 1864.  Two of the regiment's
companies-A & C - were from Schuylkill County.  On page 353, there is an
accoount of a letter sent by George Heebner, of Compay C, from the "Rifle
Pits" near Richmond on June 6 relating to casualties up to that point.

        The casualties include the name of Henry Hill wounded but give no further
details to the manner of receiving the wound or whether it was associated
with the act for which he was given the Congressional Medal of Honor.

        Hill's obituary notice in the newspapers said he was severely wounded by a
bursting shell at Cold Harbor and "was voted a medal for bravery."  The
battle of Cold Harbor began June 3, 1864, between the North under General
U.S. Grant and the South under General Robert E. Lee.  There appears to be
a conflict in these dates which is not easily resolved.  

        Hill spent most of his life in Schuylkill Haven, following boating on the
canal in his early life.  He served three years upon enlistment in Company
C and re-enlisted upon his discharge.  He took part in the battles of
Shenandoah Valley, Spottsylvania, Beufort, Cold Run, Chantilly, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Wilderness and Cold Harbor.

        Later in life he was a night watchman and turnkey at the county prison.