Hartwell B. Compson

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Hartwell Thomas Benton Compson
May 5, 1842(1842-05-05) – August 31, 1905 (aged 63)
Hartwell B. Compson, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Seneca Falls, New York
Place of death	Portland, Oregon
Allegiance	Union
Service/branch	Union Army
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Hartwell Thomas Benton Compson (May 5, 1842 – August 31, 1905) was an American military officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in the American Civil War.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Biography

He was born May 5, 1842, in Seneca Falls, New York. Compson volunteered for the 8th Regiment New York Cavalry at the start of the Civil War. He rose in the ranks, eventually becoming regimental commander. On March 2, 1865, he led his troops into battle at Waynesboro, Virginia. During fierce hand-to-hand combat, Major Compson personally captured the headquarters flag of Confederate general Jubal Early. For this action he received the Medal of Honor. Unlike many of the men whose bravery was not recognized for decades, Compson received his medal within a month of the battle. After the war, Compson moved to Oregon where he became Brigadier General of the Oregon National Guard. He died on August 31, 1905 in Portland, Oregon where he is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery. Following his death in 1905, Compson faded from memory and his grave went unmarked for 100 years until Civil War amateur historians Roy Vanderhoof and Mike Stephenson, along with the considerable assistance of Congresswoman Darlene Hooley of the 5th Congressional District, obtained a proper headstone from the Federal Veterans Administration.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Major, 8th New York Cavalry. Place and date: At Waynesboro, Va., 2 March 1865. Entered service at: Seneca Falls, N.Y. Birth: Seneca Falls, N.Y. Date of issue: 26 March 1865.

Citation:

Capture of flag belonging to Gen. Early's headquarters.