Levi Shoemaker
Encyclopedia
Levi Shoemaker was a Union Army
soldier during the American Civil War
who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
to Company A of the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
. He received the Medal of Honor
for capturing the flag of the 22nd Virginia Cavalry
in battle at Nineveh, Virginia, on November 12, 1864. Another 1st West Virginia Cavalry soldier, Private James F. Adams
, also received the medal for capturing a Confederate flag during the skirmish.
General Orders: Date of Issue: November 26, 1864
Action Date: November 12, 1864
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company A
Division: 1st West Virginia Cavalry
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...
who received the U.S. military's highest 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...
.
Military service
Shoemaker volunteered for service in the Union Army and was assigned as a sergeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
to Company A of the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 1st West Virginia Cavalry was organized at Wheeling, Clarksburg, and Morgantown in western Virginia between July 10 and November 25, 1861.An analysis of...
. 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 capturing the flag of the 22nd Virginia Cavalry
22nd Virginia Cavalry
The 22nd Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly in southwestern Virginia, East Tennessee, and the Shenandoah Valley....
in battle at Nineveh, Virginia, on November 12, 1864. Another 1st West Virginia Cavalry soldier, Private James F. Adams
James F. Adams
James Frank Adams was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.Adams was born in Cabell County, West Virginia...
, also received the medal for capturing a Confederate flag during the skirmish.
Medal of Honor citation
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Levi Shoemaker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 12 November 1864, while serving with Company A, 1st West Virginia Cavalry, in action at Nineveh, Virginia, for capture of flag of 22d Virginia Cavalry (Confederate States of America).
General Orders: Date of Issue: November 26, 1864
Action Date: November 12, 1864
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company A
Division: 1st West Virginia Cavalry