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BORN:
July 08, 1835 at Owego, NY
Entered Service in the US
Army from Oswego, NY
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism on July 30,
1864 at Petersburg, VA
DIED: January
19, 1916 at the age of 80
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After weeks of
preparation, on July 30, 1864, the Union soldiers exploded a mine
in Burnside's IX Corps sector beneath Pegram's Salient, blowing a
gap in the Confederate defenses of Petersburg in preparations for
the fierce fighting later called the "Battle of the
Crater". Unit after unit charged into and around the crater,
where soldiers milled in confusion. The rebels quickly recovered
and launched several counterattacks. The break was sealed off, and
the Union Army repulsed with more than 7,000 men killed, wounded,
or missing. Twenty three soldiers were awarded Medals of Honor for
their valor in this deadly battle, including Colonel Isaac Catlin.
In a heroic effort to rally the disorganized troops was disabled
by a severe wound. While being carried from the field he recovered
somewhat and bravely started to return to his command, when he
received a second wound, which necessitated amputation of his
right leg. In all, a total of 64 Medals of Honor were earned in
action at Petersburg, Virginia, in the period from March 25 to
April 3, 1865.
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