James Fegan
Encyclopedia
Sergeant James Fegan (1827 – June 25, 1886) was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 2nd and 3rd U.S. Infantry during the American Civil War
, and Indian Wars
. In March 1868, while escorting a powder train en route from Fort Harker
to Fort Dodge, Kansas
, he single-handedly prevented a mob from blowing up the train to free an army deserter. For his efforts, he received the Medal of Honor
.
Fegan was popular and well known in the military during his lifetime. He was especially noted for his shrewdness and humor, having many colorful stories and anecdotes attributed to him. President Chester A. Arthur
spoke of him in a special message to the United States Congress
in 1882. His life and career were among several prominent officers profiled by author Theo F. Rodenbough in his books Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor (1886) and Sabre and Bayonet: Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure (1897).
. As part of the Army of the Potomac
, he saw action at the Siege of Yorktown
, Gaines' Mill
, Malvern Hill
, Hanover Court House, Fair Oaks, Harrison's Landing, Bull Run
, Centreville, South Mountain
and Antietam
. Though seriously wounded at Antietam, having taken a bullet in the right leg, he reenlisted in Company C of the 3rd U.S. Infantry on March 31, 1864. He held a distinguished war record, having been wounded several times in action, and participated in a number of major battles during the final years of the war. Among these included the battles of Petersburg
, Reams' Station, James' Station, Birney Station, Stoneman's Creek, the first
and second battles of Deep Bottom, South Side Railroad, Danville Railroad, Boydton Plank Road
, Appomattox Station
, Farmsville City, New House, Savage's Station
, Reno Station, Manchester, Richmond, Dunwiddie
, Burksville Junction, Appomattox Courthouse
and the subsequent surrender of General Lee's Army.
to Fort Dodge, Kansas
. It was during the trip that Fegan caught an army deserter with the intention of turning him in upon his arrival in Fort Dodge. Camping one night near Plum Creek
, however, Fegan was confronted by a fellow soldier, Sergeant John W. Blake of the 7th U.S. Cavalry, who had organized a posse
from local townspeople and demanded that the deserter be released. Refusing to turn over his prisoner, the mob attempted to set the gunpowder on fire and take the deserter by force. Fegan ran off the mob single-handed, wounding two of his attackers, and continued to Fort Dodge where he safely arrived on March 13. He was recommended by the fort commander for the Medal of Honor
which he received on October 19, 1868.
shortly after his sixth reenlistment in 1870, he but was granted a discharge and returned to duty in the Montana Territory
. Fegan was a well-known character in the regiment, known for his shrewdness and humor, and many memorable anecdotes were attributed to him during his lifetime. On December 6, 1882, Fegan was the subject of a special presidential message by Chester A. Arthur
to the United States Congress
. His life and career was profiled by author Theo F. Rodenbough in his books Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor (1886) and Sabre and Bayonet: Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure (1897). His son, John Fegan, Jr., had joined the 3rd Infantry and eventually became a sergeant alongside his father in Company H. He retired from active service at Fort Missoula
in the Montana Territory
on May 8, 1885. A year later, Fegan died at Fort Shaw
on June 25, 1886, at the age of 59. He was interred at Custer National Cemetery near the Crow Agency in Montana.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
who served with the 2nd and 3rd U.S. Infantry 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 Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. In March 1868, while escorting a powder train en route from Fort Harker
Fort Harker
Fort Harker may refer to:* Fort Harker * Fort Harker...
to Fort Dodge, Kansas
Fort Dodge, Kansas
Fort Dodge is an unincorporated community in Ford County, Kansas, United States. Fort Dodge is located on U.S. Route 400 southeast of Dodge City. Fort Dodge has a post office with ZIP code 67843....
, he single-handedly prevented a mob from blowing up the train to free an army deserter. For his efforts, 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...
.
Fegan was popular and well known in the military during his lifetime. He was especially noted for his shrewdness and humor, having many colorful stories and anecdotes attributed to him. President Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
spoke of him in a special message to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in 1882. His life and career were among several prominent officers profiled by author Theo F. Rodenbough in his books Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor (1886) and Sabre and Bayonet: Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure (1897).
Early life and military career
Born in Athlone, Ireland in 1827, James Fegan spent some time with the Irish Constabulary prior to emigrating to the United States. Shortly after arriving in New York City, New York, he enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army and assigned to Company I of the 2nd U.S. Infantry on October 29, 1851. By the end of his first enlistment in 1856, he had risen to the rank of sergeant. Fegan remained with his unit up to and during the American Civil WarAmerican 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...
. As part of the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
, he saw action at the Siege of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
, Gaines' Mill
Battle of Gaines' Mill
The Battle of Gaines's Mill, sometimes known as the First Battle of Cold Harbor or the Battle of Chickahominy River, took place on June 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as the third of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War...
, Malvern Hill
Battle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, took place on July 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the seventh and last day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable...
, Hanover Court House, Fair Oaks, Harrison's Landing, Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
, Centreville, South Mountain
Battle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B...
and Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
. Though seriously wounded at Antietam, having taken a bullet in the right leg, he reenlisted in Company C of the 3rd U.S. Infantry on March 31, 1864. He held a distinguished war record, having been wounded several times in action, and participated in a number of major battles during the final years of the war. Among these included the battles of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
, Reams' Station, James' Station, Birney Station, Stoneman's Creek, the first
First Battle of Deep Bottom
The First Battle of Deep Bottom, also known as Darbytown, Strawberry Plains, New Market Road, or Gravel Hill, was fought July 27–29, 1864, at Deep Bottom in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Siege of Petersburg of the American Civil War. A Union force under Maj. Gens. Winfield S....
and second battles of Deep Bottom, South Side Railroad, Danville Railroad, Boydton Plank Road
Battle of Boydton Plank Road
-References:****...
, Appomattox Station
Battle of Appomattox Station
The Battle of Appomattox Station was fought April 8, 1865, during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War. Maj. Gen. George Armstrong Custer's Union cavalry, en route to Appomattox Station, clashed with the reserve artillery of the Confederate Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, under...
, Farmsville City, New House, Savage's Station
Battle of Savage's Station
The Battle of Savage's Station took place on June 29, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as fourth of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. The main body of the Union Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River. Confederate Brig. Gen. John B. Magruder pursued...
, Reno Station, Manchester, Richmond, Dunwiddie
Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House was a minor engagement in the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War that was the immediate prelude to the decisive Battle of Five Forks. On March 29, 1865, with the Cavalry Corps and the II and V Corps of the Army of the Potomac, Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan...
, Burksville Junction, Appomattox Courthouse
Battle of Appomattox Courthouse
The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought on the morning of April 9, 1865, was the final engagement of Confederate States Army General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia before it surrendered to the Union Army under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and one of the last battles of the American...
and the subsequent surrender of General Lee's Army.
Incident at Plum Creek
Fegan remained with the Regular Army after the war and saw considerable service on the frontier. In March 1868, he was assigned to escort a mule train carrying gunpowder from Fort HarkerFort Harker
Fort Harker may refer to:* Fort Harker * Fort Harker...
to Fort Dodge, Kansas
Fort Dodge, Kansas
Fort Dodge is an unincorporated community in Ford County, Kansas, United States. Fort Dodge is located on U.S. Route 400 southeast of Dodge City. Fort Dodge has a post office with ZIP code 67843....
. It was during the trip that Fegan caught an army deserter with the intention of turning him in upon his arrival in Fort Dodge. Camping one night near Plum Creek
Plum Creek
There are at least 166 streams in the United States called Plum Creek, including:*Plum Creek *Plum Creek *Plum Creek *Plum Creek...
, however, Fegan was confronted by a fellow soldier, Sergeant John W. Blake of the 7th U.S. Cavalry, who had organized a posse
Posse
Posse may refer to:* Posse comitatus , a group of men assembled to assist in law enforcement* Posse , starring Kirk Douglas* Posse , starring Mario van Peebles...
from local townspeople and demanded that the deserter be released. Refusing to turn over his prisoner, the mob attempted to set the gunpowder on fire and take the deserter by force. Fegan ran off the mob single-handed, wounding two of his attackers, and continued to Fort Dodge where he safely arrived on March 13. He was recommended by the fort commander for 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...
which he received on October 19, 1868.
Later years
Fegan continued to serve with the 3rd U.S. Infantry during the last years of his life. Though placed in the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
shortly after his sixth reenlistment in 1870, he but was granted a discharge and returned to duty in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
. Fegan was a well-known character in the regiment, known for his shrewdness and humor, and many memorable anecdotes were attributed to him during his lifetime. On December 6, 1882, Fegan was the subject of a special presidential message by Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. His life and career was profiled by author Theo F. Rodenbough in his books Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor (1886) and Sabre and Bayonet: Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure (1897). His son, John Fegan, Jr., had joined the 3rd Infantry and eventually became a sergeant alongside his father in Company H. He retired from active service at Fort Missoula
Fort Missoula
Fort Missoula was established by the United States Army in 1877 on land that is now part of the city of Missoula, Montana, to protect white settlers in Western Montana from possible threats from the native American Indians, such as the Nez Perce....
in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
on May 8, 1885. A year later, Fegan died at Fort Shaw
Fort Shaw
Fort Shaw, in Montana was built in 1867, located on the Medicine River, twenty-four miles west of Great Falls. It was first named Camp Reynolds then changed to honor Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, a Civil War soldier. It was established to protect early settlers and travelers on the Mullan Road from...
on June 25, 1886, at the age of 59. He was interred at Custer National Cemetery near the Crow Agency in Montana.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 3d U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Plum Creek, Kans., March 1868. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 19 October 1878.Citation:
While in charge of a powder train en route from Fort Harker to Fort Dodge, Kans., was attached by a party of desperadoes, who attempted to rescue a deserter in his charge and to fire the train. Sgt. Fegan, singlehanded, repelled the attacking party, wounding 2 of them, and brought his train through in safety.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars