Christopher C. Bruton 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...

 officer 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...

. He received 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 gallantry during the Battle of Waynesboro

Battle of Waynesboro

The Battle of Waynesboro was fought on March 2, 1865, in Augusta County, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It was the final battle for Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early, whose force was destroyed.-Background:...

 fought on March 2, 1865. It was the final battle for 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...

 Lt. Gen. Jubal Early

Jubal Anderson Early

Jubal Anderson Early was a lawyer and Confederate general in the American Civil War. He served under Stonewall Jackson and then Robert E. Lee for almost the entire war, rising from regimental command to lieutenant general and the command of an infantry corps in the Army of Northern Virginia...

, whose force was destroyed.

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 Captain (Cavalry) Christopher C. Bruton, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 March 1865, while serving with Company C, 22d New York Cavalry, in action at Waynesboro, Virginia, for capture of General Early's headquarters flag, Confederate national standard."

The Medal was awarded on March 26, 1865. Colonel Hartwell B. Compson

Hartwell B. Compson

Hartwell Thomas Benton Compson was an American military officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in the American Civil War.-Biography:...

 of the 8th New York Cavalry is also credited with the capture of this flag.

The captured flag was a Confederate Second National flag measuring 4’ x 6’ and was presented by Compson to the Secretary of War. The Federal government returned the flag to Virginia in 1906. It is in the possession of The Museum of the Confederacy

Museum of the Confederacy

The Museum of the Confederacy is located in Richmond, Virginia. The museum includes the former White House of the Confederacy and maintains a comprehensive collection of artifacts, manuscripts, Confederate imprints , and photographs from the Confederate States of America and the American Civil War...

 in Richmond.

Nothing is known of Bruton after the Civil War. It is believed he may have returned to Ireland.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A-F

External links

• Military Times Hall of Valor