b. 17/04/1845 Bridgeport, Connecticut. d. 17/01/1917 Connecticut.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/08/1862 Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
John C Curtis MOH
Curtis was born on April 17, 1845 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He enlisted in the Ninth Regiment on August 17, 1861. On August 5, 1862, as a Sergeant-Major at age 17, he became instrumental in repulsing a Confederate attack aimed at recapturing Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During heavy firing, he “voluntarily sought the line of battle and alone and unaided captured 2 prisoners, driving them before him to regimental headquarters at the point of the bayonet.” For this act, Curtis received the Medal of Honor on December 16, 1896, the only soldier from the Ninth to be so honored.
Curtis was later promoted to First Lieutenant. He died on January 17, 1917, and was buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport.
MOH CITATION:
He voluntarily sought the line of battle and alone and unaided captured 2 prisoners, driving them before him to regimental headquarters at the point of the bayonet.
BURIAL LOCATION: MOUNTAIN GROVE CEMETERY, BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.
SECTION 11, LOT 152
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
