Philip Petty (May 15, 1840 – December 22, 1917) was a
British American soldier who fought in the
American Civil War. Petty received the
Medal of Honor for his action in the
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. The combat, between the Union Army of the Potomac commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnsi ...
on December 13, 1862.
Biography
Petty was born in
Tingewick, England, on May 15, 1840. He moved to
Pennsylvania and enlisted in the
Union Army's 136th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers as a musician in August 1862. Shortly after enlisting, Petty took the position of a
private in the
infantry and joined a Company of his regiment. He received the
Medal of Honor on August 21, 1893, for carrying the company's
colors after the color bearer was wounded. Prior to the 20th century, colors were used to signal the movement of a military unit.
During the
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. The combat, between the Union Army of the Potomac commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnsi ...
, Petty and his regiment were slowly advancing through tall grass when they were caught up in enemy fire.
The color bearer was wounded and dropped the colors, so Petty's commanding officer, a
colonel, requested volunteers to carry the colors. Petty heeded the request by picking up the colors and continuing to advance with his fellow soldiers. An enemy counterattack pushed his regiment back and forced it to retreat. At one point during the retreat, Petty planted the colors and fired shots back at the enemy line. His commanding officer later told the regiment of what Petty did and he was given cheers and a promotion to
color sergeant.
Petty raised horses in
Daggett, Pennsylvania.
Jackson Township Directory
/ref> He was awarded the Medal of Honor on August 21, 1893. Petty died on December 22, 1917.
Medal of Honor citation
See also
*List of Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their ...
* List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M–P
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Petty, Philip
1840 births
1917 deaths
Union Army soldiers
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
People from Aylesbury Vale
People from Tioga County, Pennsylvania
English emigrants to the United States
People of Pennsylvania in the American Civil War
American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor