b. 04/07/1847 Darlington, Wisconsin. d. 25/07/1907 Newell, Iowa.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/03/1865 Bentonville, North Carolina.
Peter T Anderson MOH
Served during the Civil War as a Private in Company B, 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina on March 19, 1865.
His brigade had just been attacked across an open field and was threatened to be flanked when they were ordered to retreat. Private Anderson noticed a field piece from the 19th Indiana Artillery had been abandoned, and, when no other volunteers appeared when asked for, went alone to retrieve it. The artillery had been limbered up to its horses before its cannoneers were compelled to leave in haste, so he directed them under fire away from the oncoming Rebels. He barely escaped being killed when a Confederate officer, seconds from capturing or shooting him, was shot himself by other men from the 31st Wisconsin, who formed a temporary battleline to assist Private Anderson’s brave act. After the piece had been successfully rescued, he passed it to his Chief of Artillery, who reported the incident to Army commander General William T. Sherman. General Sherman himself then personally thanked and congratulated him, and promised a more substantial reward, which turned out to be a officer’s commission of Captain, US Volunteers and the Medal of Honor. His Medal was awarded to him on June 16, 1865.
MOH CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism on 19 March 1865, while serving with Company B, 31st Wisconsin Infantry, in action at Bentonville, North Carolina. Entirely unassisted, Private Anderson brought from the field an abandoned piece of artillery and saved the gun from falling into the hands of the enemy.
BURIAL LOCATION: NEWELL CEMETERY, NEWELL, IOWA.
LOT F, GRAVE 27
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
