| John S. Kountz | |
|---|---|
John S. Kountz |
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| Born | March 25, 1846 Richfield, Ohio |
| Died | June 14, 1909 (aged 63) |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/branch | United States Navy Union Army |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
John S. Kountz (25 March 1846 Richfield, Ohio - 14 June 1909) was a soldier in the United States Army during the American Civil War. He received a Medal of Honor.
Kountz attended school in Maumee, Ohio, until the age of fourteen, and in September 1861 enlisted as a drummer boy in the 37th Ohio Infantry. At the battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, 25 November 1863, when the drum corps was ordered to the rear, he threw away his drum, seized a musket, and was severely wounded in the first assault, being left in the field under the enemy's guns until he was rescued by his company. This episode was the subject of a poem by Kate B. Sherwood, entitled “The Drummer-Boy of Mission Ridge,” which attained a wide reputation. He remained in the hospital of Louisville until he was honorably discharged from the service on 25 April 1864.
On his return to civil life he attended school for one year, after which he was treasurer of Lucas County, Ohio, 1872–1874, and county recorder 1875-1878. He was connected with the Grand Army of the Republic since its organization in 1866, and was elected its commander-in-chief on 25 July 1884. In the presidential contest that occurred during his official term, he issued an order to bar politics from this organization. He later became president of the Toledo Fire Underwriters' Association.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography.