HINCKS, WILLIAM B.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant Major, 14th Connecticut Infantry. Place and
Date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 3 July 1863. Entered Service At: Bridgeport, Conn. Birth:
Bucksport, Me. Date of Issue: 1 December 1864.
Citation:
During the highwater mark of Pickett's charge on 3 July 1863 the colors of the 14th
Tenn. Inf. C.S.A. were planted 50 yards in front of the center of Sgt. Maj. Hincks'
regiment. There were no Confederates standing near it but several were
lying down around
it. Upon a call for volunteers by Maj. Ellis, commanding, to capture this flag, this
soldier and 2 others leaped the wall. One companion was instantly shot. Sgt. Maj. Hincks
outran his remaining companion running straight and swift for the colors amid a storm of
shot. Swinging his saber over the prostrate Confederates and uttering a terrific yell, he
seized the flag and hastily returned to his lines. The 14th Tenn. carried 12 battle honors
on its flag. The devotion to duty shown by Sgt. Maj. Hincks gave encouragement to many of
his comrades at a crucial moment of the battle.
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