William Magee (Medal of Honor recipient)
Encyclopedia
William Magee was a Drummer
in the United States Army
and a Medal of Honor
recipient for his role in the American Civil War
.
Magee was the youngest person from the state of New Jersey
to have ever earned the Medal of Honor
.
At the time of Magee's enlistment in the United States Army, he was about the age of only 14 years. He left behind his family in Newark to fight in the serve in the American Civil War
as a drummer. Magee was a self claimed hero for holding back Confederate forces from infiltrating a Union camp. This account (given by himself) was in fact a lie for he was fighting the disease typhoid and was used at the Union camp as a sort of 'gopher' for odd jobs around the camp while regaining his strength. Magee never even left the walls of the camp during this conflict at all. Magee later received the Medal of Honor
for this 'notorious' act which he 'allegedly' led.
, Tenn
., December 5, 1864. Entered service at:------. Birth: Newark
, N.J.
Date of issue: February 7, 1866.
Citation:
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
in the United States 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...
and a 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...
recipient for his role in 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...
.
Magee was the youngest person from the state of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
to have ever earned 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...
.
At the time of Magee's enlistment in the United States Army, he was about the age of only 14 years. He left behind his family in Newark to fight in the serve in 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...
as a drummer. Magee was a self claimed hero for holding back Confederate forces from infiltrating a Union camp. This account (given by himself) was in fact a lie for he was fighting the disease typhoid and was used at the Union camp as a sort of 'gopher' for odd jobs around the camp while regaining his strength. Magee never even left the walls of the camp during this conflict at all. Magee later 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 this 'notorious' act which he 'allegedly' led.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Drummer, Company C, 33d New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At MurfreesboroMurfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
, Tenn
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
., December 5, 1864. Entered service at:------. Birth: Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, N.J.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
Date of issue: February 7, 1866.
Citation:
In a charge, was among the first to reach a battery of the enemy and, with one or two others, mounted the artillery horses and took two guns into the Union lines.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M-Z