b. 15/03/1844 Baltimore, Maryland. d. 25/02/1916 Staunton, Virginia.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 02/03/1865 Fishersville, Virginia.
Charles W Anderson AKA George Pforr MOH
Charles W. Anderson was born George Pforr on March 15, 1844 in Baltimore, Maryland. He enlisted in the Confederate States Army and served in an artillery battery under Captain Jonathan H. McClanahan, part of General John Imboden’s cavalry brigade.
In February 1864, he deserted and enlisted in the 1st Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry (Lincoln Cavalry) using the name Charles W. Anderson and the birthplace of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was assigned to Company K under Captain Edwin F. Savacool.
On March 2, 1865 at Fishersville, Virginia, Anderson captured a Confederate flag during the Battle of Waynesboro. He was presented with his Medal of Honor on March 26, 1865. Anderson mustered out in June 1865, but re-enlisted in Company M, 3rd United States Cavalry on January 11, 1866. He served 12 years, participating in the Indian Wars before receiving a hardship discharge on April 4, 1878.
Anderson settled in Staunton, Virginia near his sister Mary, and returned to his birth name of George Pforr. He married Sally Smith Garber on September 18, 1878. He applied for a Federal pension in 1905 for his military service, which was granted in 1906. He died in Staunton, Virginia on 25th February 1916 and was buried in Thornrose Cemetery under his original name George Pforr.
BURIAL LOCATION: THORNROSE CEMETERY, STAUNTON, VIRGINIA.
VA-SEC 10, LOT 57.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
