Joseph Kirby Corson (22 November 1836 – 24 July 1913) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Corson received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action near Bristoe Station in Virginia on 14 October 1863. He was honored with the award on 13 May 1899.

Early life

Corson was born in

Plymouth Meeting Plymouth Meeting is a census-designated place (CDP) that straddles Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Plymouth and Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania, Whitemarsh Townships in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Penns ...

in Pennsylvania on 22 November 1836, the second of nine children of Hiram and Ann Jones Foulke Corson. His father, a doctor, was well off enough to provide a tutor for Corson's education before the latter became a student of the Treemount Seminary in nearby Norristown. He moved to Philadelphia in 1856 to become an apprentice at a drugstore while attending the

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since 1 ...

, from which he graduated with a PhG in 1858. Corson moved to

St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center o ...

to work with a pharmacist, but the business quickly failed and Corson returned to Norristown to become a partner in a cousin's lime business, and soon enrolled at the

medical school A medical school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, that teaches medicine, and awards a professional degree for physicians. Such medical degrees include the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, M ...

of the University of Pennsylvania.

American Civil War

The beginning of the American Civil War interrupted Corson's education as he enlisted in Company K of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry in April 1861, and mustered out as a

sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

in July 1861. Returning to Penn late that year, he served as a medical cadet at the army hospital on Cherry and Broad Streets while studying at the school. He enlisted in the 6th Pennsylvania Reserves (35th Pennsylvania Volunteers) as an assistant surgeon in March 1863 after graduating with an MD degree, participating in the Battles of Gettysburg, Falling Waters,

Manassas Gap Manassas Gap is a wind gap of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the border of Fauquier County and Warren County in Virginia. At an elevation of 887 feet above sea level, it is the lowest crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the state. "The origins o ...

, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, Rappahannock Station, the

Wilderness Wilderness or wildlands (usually in the plural), are natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity or any nonurbanized land not under extensive agricultural cultivation. The term has traditionally re ...

, Spotsylvania, North Anna, and Bethesda Church. Brevetted major for distinguishing himself in the Wilderness, Corson mustered out again in June 1864. At Bristoe Station on 14 October, Corson and a hospital attendant rescued a severely wounded soldier left between the lines while under Confederate artillery fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on 13 May 1899. In November 1864, he became medical officer at Camp Discharge, used to muster out soldiers, in Philadelphia.

Later life

After the end of the war, Corson mustered out in May 1865 and returned to Plymouth Meeting to join his father's practice. Corson was appointed as assistant surgeon to the regular army in October 1867. He was promoted to

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

in November 1888, and retired in November 1897. He was a companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He died on 24 July 1913 and his remains are interred at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bryn Mawr section, Lot 98, in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

References

Citations

Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Corson, Joseph K. 1836 births 1913 deaths People of Pennsylvania in the American Civil War Union Army officers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor Burials at West Laurel Hill Cemetery