Frederick N. Deland
Frederick Nelson Deland (December 25, 1843 – August 23, 1922) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Deland received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Siege of Port Hudson in Louisiana on May 27, 1863. He was honored with the award on June 22, 1896.[1][2]
Frederick N. Deland | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Frederick Nelson Deland |
| Born | December 25, 1843 Sheffield, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 23, 1922 (aged 78) Pittsfield, Massachusetts |
| Buried | Mahaiwe Cemetery, Great Barrington, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army Union Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit |  41st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment - Company B |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Biography
Deland was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts on December 25, 1843. He enlisted in the 41st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. For his action during the Siege of Port Hudson in Louisiana on May 27, 1863, he was honored with the Medal of Honor on June 22, 1896.[1][2]
After the Civil War, Deland worked at the Grand Mahawie Bank in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, first as a clerk, then a cashier, and finally as its president. In 1875, a gang of robbers broke into his house, binding and gagging Deland's parents and sister, and demanding that he come with them to open the bank vault. They were thwarted, however, by a time lock which had been installed on the vault's door only a few days earlier (one of the first such installations in the country). The gang stole some cash and bonds from the house and left Deland and his family bound but unharmed. They were rescued the next day, after his sister was able to signal neighbors through a window.[3][4]
Frederick N. Deland died in Pittsfield on August 23, 1922, and his remains are interred at the Mahaiwe Cemetery in Great Barrington.[3][5]
Medal of Honor citation
Volunteered in response to a call and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, advanced and assisted in filling with fascines a ditch which presented a serious obstacle to the troops attempting to take the works of the enemy by assault.[1][2]
References
- "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- "Frederick N. Deland". Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- "Death Claims F. N. Deland". North Adams Transcript. August 24, 1922. p. 5. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Attempted Bank Robbery". The New England Farmer. June 5, 1875. p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- Frederick Nelson Deland at Find a Grave