John Wainwright (July 13, 1839 – April 15, 1915) was a

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

military officer during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. A native of

Syracuse, New York Syracuse ( ) is a City (New York), city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, Onondaga County, New York, United States. It is the fifth-most populous city in the state of New York following New York City, Buffalo, New York, Buffa ...

, he was awarded his nation's highest award for valor, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

, for his "gallant and meritorious conduct" while serving in the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

as a first lieutenant with the

97th Pennsylvania Infantry The 97th Pennsylvania Infantry was a Union infantry regiment which fought in multiple key engagements of the American Civil War, including the Siege of Fort Pulaski, Bermuda Hundred Campaign, Battle of Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and the Car ...

during the

Second Battle of Fort Fisher The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a successful assault by the Union Army, Navy and Marine Corps against Fort Fisher, south of Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War in January 1865. Sometimes referred to as the "Gib ...

, North Carolina on January 15, 1865.

Formative years

Born in

on July 13, 1839, John Wainwright was a son of Rahway, New Jersey native Samuel Force Wainwright and Maria (Humphry) Wainwright. During his early childhood, his parents relocated their family several times, first to Rahway, New Jersey, then to New York City, and then to Delaware, where, as an older child, John Wainwright was encouraged to learn the trade of coach painting. By 1850, he was residing in New York City's 11th Ward with his 35-year-old mother and siblings, Henry, Sam, and Benson (born, respectively, circa 1841, 1844, and 1848). At the dawn of the

, he was living in

West Chester, Pennsylvania West Chester is a borough and the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Located within the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the borough had a population of 18,461 at the 2010 census. West Chester is the mailing address for most of its neighb ...

, where he was employed as a coach painter.

Civil War

John Wainwright became one of Pennsylvania's earliest responders to President Abraham Lincoln's call for

75,000 volunteers On April 15, 1861, at the start of the American Civil War, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln called for a 75,000-man militia to serve for three months following the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter. Some southern states refused to send tro ...

to help defend the nation's capital following the

fall of Fort Sumter The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12–13, 1861) was the bombardment of Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina by the South Carolina militia. It ended with the surrender by the United States Army, beginning the American Civil War. Follo ...

Confederate States Army The Confederate States Army, also called the Confederate Army or the Southern Army, was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (commonly referred to as the Confederacy) during the American Civil War (1861–1865), fighting ...

troops on April 13, 1861. After enrolling for military service in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 20, he officially mustered in there as a private with Company G of the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. Military records at the time described him as a resident of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Engaged in operations in Maryland and Virginia during early July, including occupation duties near Falling Waters, Martinsburg, and Bunker Hill, he then fought with his regiment in the

First Battle of Bull Run The First Battle of Bull Run (the name used by Union forces), also known as the Battle of First Manassas

on July 21. After completing his Three Months' Service, he honorably mustered out on July 26, and returned home to Pennsylvania. Wainwright then promptly re-enlisted. After re-enrolling for Civil War military service at West Chester on September 23, 1861, he then officially mustered in there as second sergeant with Company F of the

. Military records at the time described him as being a 28-year-old coach painter residing in West Chester, who was 5'7" tall with light hair, grey eyes and a light complexion. Promoted to first sergeant on October 3, 1861, he participated with his regiment in the Union Army's Expedition to Point Royal, South Carolina during the fall and early winter of 1861 and in the Union's 112-day

Siege of Fort Pulaski The siege of Fort Pulaski (or the Siege and Reduction of Fort Pulaski) concluded with the Battle of Fort Pulaski fought April 10–11, 1862, during the American Civil War. Union forces on Tybee Island and naval operations conducted a 112-day si ...

, Georgia, which began in December 1861 and ended with the Battle of Fort Pulaski April 10–11, 1862. During this phase of service, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on January 10, 1862. He engaged with his regiment and other Union forces in the capture of

Fort Clinch Fort Clinch is a 19th-century masonry Coastal defence and fortification, coastal fortification, built as part of the Seacoast Defense (US)#Third system, Third System of seacoast defense conceived by the United States. It is located on a peninsula n ...

and Fernandina, Florida in March 1862 and in the operations in South Carolina on James and Edisto islands leading up to the

Battle of Secessionville The Battle of Secessionville (or the First Battle of James Island) was fought on June 16, 1862, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces defeated the Union's only attempt to capture Charleston, South Carolina, by land. It's noted for ...

. He was then shot in the thigh at James Island, South Carolina on June 12 of that year while advancing with his picket detail along the Charleston Road to the Stono River. Following several weeks of convalescence at the regimental hospital, he returned to duty. In October 1862, he and his fellow 97th Pennsylvanians helped capture

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the seat of Duval County, with which the ...

. Commissioned as a first lieutenant on May 1, 1863 at St. Helena Island, South Carolina, he was detailed from May 10 to June 11 as acting adjutant of his regiment, and was temporarily placed in command of the 97th Pennsylvania's H Company from July 4 to September 7, during which time he participated with his regiment and other Union troops in: the capture of Morris Island, South Carolina; the siege of Forts Wagner, Gregg, Sumter, Moultrie, and Johnson; and the

Second Battle of Fort Wagner The Second Battle of Fort Wagner, also known as the Second Assault on Morris Island or the Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, was fought on July 18, 1863, during the American Civil War. Union Army troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Quincy Gillm ...

(July 18, 1863). He was then temporarily reassigned as commander of his regiment's F Company from September 7 to November 5. Participating with his regiment in the Union Army's operations at Camp Cooper, Woodstock Mills and Kings Ferry, Florida during the early part of 1864, and still holding the rank of first lieutenant, he was placed in temporary command of the 97th Pennsylvania's I Company from February 25 to March 27. He was then awarded a veterans' furlough, and used that time to return north where, on April 18, 1864, he wed Coatesville, Pennsylvania resident Emma M. Edwards (1845–1922). After reconnecting with his regiment on May 14 at Foster's Place, Virginia, he was placed in temporary command of the 97th Pennsylvania's E Company from May 17 to June 13, during which time he and his men fought in the

Battle of Cold Harbor The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought during the American Civil War near Mechanicsville, Virginia, from May 31 to June 12, 1864, with the most significant fighting occurring on June 3. It was one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S ...

(May 31 to June 12). Reassigned as temporary commander of his regiment's F Company from June 13 through late August, he then participated with his regiment and other Union troops in the

Siege of Petersburg The Richmond–Petersburg campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War. Although it is more popularly known as the Siege of Petersburg, it was not a cla ...

, including the

Battle of the Crater The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the siege of Petersburg. It took place on Saturday, July 30, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, and the Union Arm ...

(July 30) and

Second Battle of Deep Bottom The Second Battle of Deep Bottom, also known as Fussell's Mill (particularly in the South), New Market Road, Bailey's Creek, Charles City Road, or White's Tavern was fought August 14–20, 1864, at Deep Bottom in Henrico County, Virginia, durin ...

(August 14–20). On August 25, 1864, still holding the rank of first lieutenant, he was placed in charge of his regiment. Two months later, he received an honorable mention from his superiors for his display of gallantry during the

Battle of Chaffin's Farm The Battle of Chaffin's Farm and New Market Heights, also known as Laurel Hill and combats at Forts Harrison, Johnson, and Gilmer, was fought in Virginia on September 29–30, 1864, as part of the siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War. ...

, Virginia on October 7, 1864 while serving as acting regimental adjutant. He then fought with his regiment in the

Battle of Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road The Battle of Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road (also known as the Second Battle of Fair Oaks) was fought October 27–28, 1864 in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In combination with m ...

(October 27–28). Capture of Fort Fisher

Commissioned, but not mustered, as a captain on November 1, 1864, he then fought with his regiment in the

First Battle of Fort Fisher The First Battle of Fort Fisher was a naval siege in the American Civil War, when the Union tried to capture the fort guarding Wilmington, North Carolina, the South's last major Atlantic port. Led by Major General Benjamin Butler, it lasted from ...

(December 23–27), and was subsequently

brevetted In many of the world's military establishments, a brevet ( or ) was a warrant giving a commissioned officer a higher rank title as a reward for gallantry or meritorious conduct but may not confer the authority, precedence, or pay of real rank. ...

as a major. Brevetted again on January 15, 1865, Wainwright was once again placed in command of the 97th Pennsylvania, this time when his regiment's commanding officer, Colonel

Galusha Pennypacker Uriah Galusha Pennypacker (June 1, 1841/1844 – October 1, 1916) was a Union general during the American Civil War. He may be the youngest person to hold the rank of brigadier general in the US Army; at the age of 20, he remains the only general ...

, was assigned by his superiors to command a Union brigade during the

. Fighting with the 97th Pennsylvania in that same battle, Wainwright was wounded in the right shoulder by grape shot while performing the acts of gallantry which resulted in his receipt of the U.S. Medal of Honor. Next engaged with his regiment in the

Carolinas Campaign The campaign of the Carolinas (January 1 – April 26, 1865), also known as the Carolinas campaign, was the final campaign conducted by the United States Army (Union Army) against the Confederate States Army in the Western Theater. On January 1 ...

from February to March 1865, including the

Battle of Wilmington The Battle of Wilmington was fought February 11–22, 1865, during the American Civil War, mostly outside the city of Wilmington, North Carolina, between the opposing Union and Confederate Departments of North Carolina. The Union victory in Ja ...

, North Carolina (February 11–22), he was then advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry on March 14 (mustering in at that new rank on April 19) and again to colonel of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry on June 1, 1865 (mustering in at that rank on June 15). Assigned to command the Union's post at Gaston, North Carolina on the day he became a colonel, he mustered out of the army at

Weldon, North Carolina Weldon is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,655 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. History In 1752, Daniel Weldon purchased 1,273 acre ...

on August 28, 1865.

Post-war life

Following his honorable discharge from the military, Wainwright returned home to his wife. Together, they welcomed the births of their children: Blanche J., who was born circa 1867; Gretta Maude (1872–1941), who was born in December 1872; and

John D. Wainwright John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

(1878–1965), a two-time Navy Cross winner who commanded the U.S. Navy's Yangtze Patrol/Asiatic Fleet during the 1930s. Employed as a dry goods merchant during the 1870s and 1880s, the elder John Wainwright resided with his wife and children in Wilmington, Delaware, and became an active member of the

Grand Army of the Republic The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army (United States Army), Union Navy (U.S. Navy), and the Marines who served in the American Civil War. It was founded in 1866 in Decatur, Il ...

, as well as a companion of the District of Columbia Commandery of the

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), or simply the Loyal Legion is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by three veteran officers of the Army. The original membership was composed of members ...

. At the turn of the century, Wainwright lived in the 5th Ward of Wilmington with his wife and daughter, Maude (Wainwright) Pyle, who was divorced from her husband. Also residing at the home was Katie Regan, a 20-year-old servant.

Death and interment

John Wainwright died in

Wilmington, Delaware Wilmington ( Lenape: ''Paxahakink /'' ''Pakehakink)'' is the largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. The city was built on the site of Fort Christina, the first Swedish settlement in North America. It lies at the confluence of the Christina ...

on April 15, 1915. He was buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

Medal of Honor citation

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant John Wainwright, United States Army, for gallant and meritorious conduct on 15 January 1865, while serving with Company F, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, where, as first lieutenant, he commanded the regiment.

General Orders: Date of Issue: June 24, 1890 Action Date: January 15, 1865 Service: Army Rank: First Lieutenant Company: Company F Division: 97th Pennsylvania Infantry

References

External links

John Wainwright
at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website * Price, Isaiah.
History of the Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, During the War of the Rebellion, 1861–65, with Biographical Sketches of Its Field and Staff Officers and a Complete Record of Each Officer and Enlisted Man
'. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Self-published, 1875. {{DEFAULTSORT:Wainwright, John 1839 births 1915 deaths Union Army colonels United States Army Medal of Honor recipients People from Syracuse, New York People of New York (state) in the American Civil War People of Pennsylvania in the American Civil War People of Delaware in the American Civil War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor