b. 1829 New York. d. 17/02/1901 New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 24-25/04/1862 Forts Jackson & St Philip and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Edward Wright MOH
Born in about 1829 in New York City, Wright was still living in the state of New York when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a quartermaster on the USS Cayuga. At the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip near New Orleans on April 24, 1862, he “conscientiously performed his duties throughout the action”. For his part in the battle, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on April 3, 1863.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and Jackson and the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to stern, Wright conscientiously performed his duties throughout the action in which the attempts of three rebel steamers to butt and board were repelled, and the ships driven off or forced to surrender. Eleven gunboats were successfully engaged and garrisons captured during this battle in which the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.
BURIAL LOCATION: MAPLE GROVE CEMETERY, KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK.
SOUTH BORDER SECTION, LOT 25, GRAVE 1.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
