Thomas W. Bradley
Encyclopedia
Thomas Wilson Bradley was a United States Representative
from New York
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
in 1846 with his parents, who settled in Walden, New York
. He attended school until nine years of age.
During the Civil War
he entered the Union Army
from Walden, New York
, as a private
. Later promoted to Sergeant in the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
, he received the Medal of Honor on May 3, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville
. His official citation reads: "Volunteered in response to a call and alone, in the face of a heavy fire of musket
ry and canister
, went and procured ammunition
for the use of his comrades." His medal was not awarded until several decades later, on June 10, 1896. After the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was promoted to captain
and became the aide-de-camp
to Major General Gershom Mott
, 3rd Division, II Corps
. He received a brevet
promotion to Major
of Volunteers.
He served as member of the New York State Assembly
in 1876 and as delegate to the Republican National Convention
s in 1892, 1896, and 1900.
Bradley was elected as a Republican
to the Fifty-eighth
and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1903 - March 3, 1913). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1912.
He engaged in banking and served as president and treasurer of the New York Knife Company.
Bradley died in Walden, New York
, at age 76 and was interred there in Wallkill Valley Cemetery.
Citation:
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and a recipient of the United States 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...
.
Biography
Born in Yorkshire, England, Bradley immigrated to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1846 with his parents, who settled in Walden, New York
Walden, New York
Walden is the largest of three villages of the Town of Montgomery in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 6,978 at the 2010 census. It has the ZIP Code 12586 and the 778 telephone exchange within the 845 area code...
. He attended school until nine years of age.
During the 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 entered the 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...
from Walden, New York
Walden, New York
Walden is the largest of three villages of the Town of Montgomery in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 6,978 at the 2010 census. It has the ZIP Code 12586 and the 778 telephone exchange within the 845 area code...
, 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...
. Later promoted to Sergeant in the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Orange Blossoms, was a volunteer regiment from Orange County, New York, during the American Civil War. Formed in Goshen during the summer of 1862, The unit was officially mustered into United States Service on September 5, 1862,...
, he received the Medal of Honor on May 3, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
. His official citation reads: "Volunteered in response to a call and alone, in the face of a heavy fire of musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
ry and canister
Canister shot
Canister shot is a kind of anti-personnel ammunition used in cannons. It was similar to the naval grapeshot, but fired smaller and more numerous balls, which did not have to punch through the wooden hull of a ship...
, went and procured ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
for the use of his comrades." His medal was not awarded until several decades later, on June 10, 1896. After the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was promoted to captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
and became the aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Major General Gershom Mott
Gershom Mott
Gershom Mott was a United States Army officer and a General in the Union Army, a commander in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, 3rd Division, II Corps
II Corps (ACW)
There were five corps in the Union Army designated as II Corps during the American Civil War.* Army of the Cumberland, II Corps commanded by Thomas L. Crittenden , later renumbered XX Corps...
. He received a brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
promotion to Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
of Volunteers.
He served as member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1876 and as delegate to the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
s in 1892, 1896, and 1900.
Bradley was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the Fifty-eighth
58th United States Congress
- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:...
and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1903 - March 3, 1913). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1912.
He engaged in banking and served as president and treasurer of the New York Knife Company.
Bradley died in Walden, New York
Walden, New York
Walden is the largest of three villages of the Town of Montgomery in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 6,978 at the 2010 census. It has the ZIP Code 12586 and the 778 telephone exchange within the 845 area code...
, at age 76 and was interred there in Wallkill Valley Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 124th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Entered service at: Walden, N.Y. Born: April 6, 1844, England. Date of issue: June 10, 1896.Citation:
Volunteered in response to a call and alone, in the face of a heavy fire of musketry and canister, went and procured ammunition for the use of his comrades.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
External links
- Thomas Wilson Bradley entry at The Political GraveyardThe Political GraveyardThe Political Graveyard is a website and database that catalogues information on more than 224,000 American political figures and political families, along with other information.-History:...