b. 1837 Gallia County, Ohio. d. 24/05/1888 Coalton, Ohio.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 08-11/1864 Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. At age 25 he enlisted in the Union Army, and was mustered in as a Private in Company D, 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 14, 1862. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action during August to November 1864 in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Virginia. His citation reads “Capture of flag.” He served through the end of the war, and he was honorably mustered out on June 24, 1865 at Cumberland, Maryland. His Medal was issued to him under the name of “James Cumpston”, and he is still officially listed that way.
MOH CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James M. Cumpston, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism from August to November, 1864, while serving with Company D, 91st Ohio Infantry, in action in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Virginia, for capture of flag.
BURIAL LOCATION: COALTON CEMETERY, COALTON, OHIO.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.