Charles Veale or Veal was a Union Army

Union Army

The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...

 soldier during the American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

 and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm

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 September 29–30, 1864, as part of the Siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War.-Background:...

.

Biography

Veale joined the Army in Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...

, and by September 29, 1864, he was serving as a private

Private (rank)

A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...

 in Company D of the 4th Regiment United States Colored Infantry. On that day, his unit participated in a charge during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm on the outskirts of the Confederate

Confederate States of America

The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...

 capital of Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...

. Among the charging soldiers was Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton

Alfred B. Hilton

Alfred B. Hilton was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.-Biography:...

, the bearer of two flags, one of which had been seized from a wounded sergeant. When Hilton himself was wounded, Veale and another soldier, Sergeant Major Christian Fleetwood

Christian Fleetwood

Christian Abraham Fleetwood , was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, an editor, a musician, and a government official...

, each grabbed a flag from him before the colors could touch the ground. Now carrying the blue regimental flag, Veale continued in the fight through heavy enemy fire. For their actions during the battle, Fleetwood, Hilton, and Veale were each issued the Medal of Honor just over six months later, on April 6, 1865.

Charles Veale was buried in Hampton National Cemetery

Hampton National Cemetery

Hampton National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of Hampton, Virginia. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 27,799 interments.- History :...

, Hampton, Virginia

Hampton, Virginia

Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...

.

Medal of Honor citation

Although his name is spelled Veale his name was spelled "Charles Veal" on the citation.

Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 4th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., September 29, 1864. Entered service at: Portsmouth, Va. Birth: Portsmouth Va. Date of issue: April 6, 1865.

Citation:

Seized the national colors after 2 color bearers had been shot down close to the enemy's works, and bore them through the remainder of the battle.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M-Z
• List of African American Medal of Honor recipients
• Melvin Claxton and Mark Puls, Uncommon valor : a story of race, patriotism, and glory in the final battles of the Civil War, (Wiley, 2006) (ISBN 0471468231)