b. 15/03/1834 Foster Creek, Rhode Island. d. 15/05/1906 Mystic, Connecticut.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 03/05/1863 Chancellorsville, Virginia.
John K Bucklyn MOH
John Knight Bucklyn (with a “y”) was born on 21 April 1834 in Hopkins Mill, Forster, Rhode Island. John Knight Bucklyn graduated from the Academy at East Greenwich, RI, and taught school in East Greenwich for a period until he returned to the Academy for additional education. In the fall of 1856 he entered the Smithville Seminary and graduated with a college degree in 1857. He then entered Brown University in Providence, RI, from which he graduated with honors, in 1861, with a Master of Arts degree. After his graduation he again became a teacher.
When the Civil War started, John Knight Bucklyn enlisted in Battery E of the Rhode Island 1st Regiment Light Artillery, which was organized at Providence 23 Sep 1861. Bucklyn declined an offered commission as an officer, stating he wanted to earn his rank. He enlisted as a private and rose through the non-commissioned ranks and commissioned officer grades to become the commanding (brevet) Captain of the Battery E. Unit. The unit began its service at the effective start of the military campaigns of the Civil War, and participated almost continuously in battles, including the bloody battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.
After the Civil War, Bucklyn formed a college preparatory school at Mystic, Connecticut, the Mystic Valley Institute, and was its President until his death.
MOH CITATION:
Though himself wounded, gallantly fought his section of the battery under a fierce fire from the enemy until his ammunition was all expended, many of the cannoneers and most of the horses killed or wounded, and the enemy within 25 yards of the guns, when, disabling one piece, he brought off the other in safety.
BURIAL LOCATION: LOWER MYSTIC CEMETERY, MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT.
Mausoleum, only one in cemetery.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
