Thomas McCoy Wells (c. 1841 – February 5, 1901) was an Irish born

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 of the collective states. It proved essential to th ...

soldier and 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 ...

. He received 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 valo ...

for gallantry during the

Battle of Cedar Creek The Battle of Cedar Creek, or Battle of Belle Grove, was fought on October 19, 1864, during the American Civil War. The fighting took place in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia, near Cedar Creek, Middletown, and the Valley Pike. D ...

fought near

Middletown, Virginia Middletown is a town in Frederick County, Virginia, United States, in the northern Shenandoah Valley. The population was 1,265 at the 2010 census, up from 1,015 at the 2000 census. History Middletown was chartered on May 4, 1796. Some of the ...

on October 19, 1864. The battle was the decisive engagement of

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

Philip Sheridan's Valley Campaigns of 1864 and was the largest battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley. Wells enlisted in the Army from

De Kalb, New York DeKalb is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 2,434 at the 2010 census. The town is named after American general Baron de Kalb, a German officer serving under George Washington. The Town of DeKalb is in the ...

in November 1861, and was assigned to the 6th New York Cavalry Regiment. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1865, and promoted to

first lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...

the following May. Wells was transferred to the 2nd Provisional NY Cavalry in June 1865, and mustered out with this regiment the following August.2nd NY Provisional Cavalry Regimental roster
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Medal of Honor citation

"The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Bugler Thomas McCoy Wells, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 19 October 1864, while serving with 6th New York Cavalry, in action at Cedar Creek, Virginia, for capture of colors of 44th Georgia Infantry (Confederate States of America)."

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External links

Military Times Hall of ValorFindagrave entry
1840s births 1901 deaths Irish emigrants to the United States People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Union Army soldiers Union Army officers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients Irish soldiers in the United States Army American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor People from De Kalb, New York {{AmericanCivilWar-bio-stub

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References

External links