1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing receives Medal of Honor

[KatieH]

Wasn't sure where else to put this, but thought this was important, so here it is:

http://www.army.mil/article/134903/Union..._of_Honor/

Congrats to this Union artillery officer for finally receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor over 150 years after his death. At the age of 22, he commanded a battery with the 4th U.S. Artillery at Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg on the 3rd day of fighting (at Picketts Charge). He sustained shrapnel to his shoulder, abdomen, and groin before finally falling due to a bullet through the mouth. He kept commanding his battery even while holding his intestines in and asked a fellow officer to yell his commands for him due to his lack of vocal strength.

He was credited for helping turn the tide of the battle (and the war) and his descendants have been invited to the White House by the President to receive his medal.

This boy was a fellow upstate New Yorker, so I am especially proud of him.

[Rsmyth]

So young...but aren't they all? You can visit his grave at the West Point Military Academy. In fact, he is buried not far from another recent topic of discussion on this board - Custer.