Elijah A. Briggs

Sergeant Elijah A. Briggs (October 26, 1843 – March 10, 1922) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Briggs received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Petersburg, Virginia on 3 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 10 May 1865.[2][3][4][5]

Elijah A. Briggs
Born(1843-10-26)October 26, 1843
Salisbury, Connecticut
DiedMarch 10, 1922(1922-03-10) (aged 78)
Beacon, New York
Buried
Fishkill Rural Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankSergeant[1]
UnitConnecticut 2nd Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery - Company B
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Briggs was born on October 26, 1843, in Salisbury, Connecticut, and raised in Lime Rock, Connecticut.[1] He enlisted into the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery on July 18, 1862, at 17 years old. On June 12, 1864, he was wounded by a gunshot to the forehead on the final day of the Battle of Cold Harbor and was incapacitated for several weeks.[1] Although his official Medal of Honor citation cites his capture of a Confederate battle flag during the Siege of Petersburg, he is also credited with capturing a flag during the Battle of Sailor's Creek.[1][6]

Briggs' grave at Fishkill Rural Cemetery

Briggs was honorably discharged at the end of the war and returned to Lime Rock before relocating to Beacon, New York. On June 24, 1874, he married H. Elizabeth Montfort with whom he had one daughter. Briggs was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the local Methodist Episcopal Church.[1] He died on March 10, 1922, and his remains are interred at Fishkill Rural Cemetery in Fishkill, New York.[2][3][5]

Medal of Honor citation

Capture of battle flag.[2][3][4]

See also

References
  1. "Elijah A. Briggs Civil War Veteran Died Here Friday". Beacon Daily Herald. March 11, 1922. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  2. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Archived from the original on 10 March 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  3. "Moon, Hugh P." Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  4. "Elijah A. Briggs". Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  5. "Medal of Honor: Civil War". Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  6. United States Congressional Serial Set, Volume 3261. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1895. p. 916. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
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