b. 1830 Mercer County, Pennsylvania. d. 07/02/1886 Quincy, Illinois.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 04/1862 Big Shanty, Georgia.
Martin J Hawkins MOH
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal in Company A, 33rd Ohio Infantry, Union Army. In April 1862, he was one of the 22 men which included 2 civilians who penetrated nearly 200 miles south into Confederate enemy territory. There they captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta. For bravery in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in September, 1863 and later achieved the rank of Sergeant. He received his Medal in September 1863.
MOH CITATION:
One of 19 of 24 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchell, penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanaooga and Atlanta.
BURIAL LOCATION: WOODLAND CEMETERY, QUINCY, ILLINOIS.
BLOCK 13, LOT 116.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
