WILLIAMS, JOHN
Rank and organization: Captain of the Maintop, U.S. Navy. Born:
1828, New Orleans, La. Accredited to: Louisiana. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April
1863.
Citation:
Serving as captain of the maintop of the U.S.S. Pawnee in the
attack upon Mathias Point, 26 June 1861, Williams told his men, while lying off in the
boat, that every man must die on his thwart sooner than leave a man behind. Although
wounded by a musket ball in the thigh he retained the charge of his boat; and when the
staff was shot away, held the stump in his hand, with the flag, until alongside the
Freeborn.