b. 1845 Ocean County, New Jersey. d. 06/05/1894 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 06/04/1865 Deatonsville (Sailors Creek), Virginia.
He enlisted in the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry in the summer of 1861, and was mustered in as a Private in the unit’s Company C on August 17, 1861. He served in the field continuously through the next four years, re-enlisting on February 25, 1864. A combination of excellent field service combined with the attrition the war took on his Company, he rose in the later half of 1864, being promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1864, and to Sergeant on December 12, 1864. He took part in the Union cavalry operations in March and April 1865 that contributed to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, performed post-war occupation duty, and was mustered out of service on July 24, 1865.
On April 6, 1865 he fought in the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, Virginia. There in the midst of the battle he performed his act of bravery that would garner him the Medal of Honor, as his citation explains – “Capture of flag; and was the first man over the works in the charge”. His Medal was awarded to him on July 3, 1865. Eleven other members of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry were also awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the Civil War, making it the most decorated New Jersey Civil War regiment.
Sergeant Southard was one of four brothers who fought in the Civil War, all of whom survived the war. He retired to Ocean County, New Jersey, where he died in 1894.
MOH CITATION:
Capture of flag; and was the first man over the works in the charge.
BURIAL LOCATION: ZION METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY, NEW EGYPT, NEW JERSEY.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
