b. 01/08/1844 Austin, Texas. d. 15/05/1910 Silver Spring, Maryland.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 29/09/1864 Chapin’s Farm, Virginia.
Milton M Holland MOH
Holland was born as the son of white slaveowner Bird Holland (killed in action at the Battle of Pleasant Hill) and Matilda, an enslaved African-American woman. He joined the Army from Athens, Ohio. At the Athens County Fairgrounds he signed to the recruitment rolls 149 young black men and raised what was to become Company C of the 5th United States Colored Infantry. He was serving as a Sergeant Major (a temporary assignment) in the 5th USCI when his unit participated in the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm on September 29, 1864 in Virginia. Three days before the end of the war, on April 6, 1865, he was issued the Medal of Honor for his actions at Chaffin’s Farm. He left the army in September 1865.
Holland’s wife was Virginia W. Dickey. Milton Holland died from a heart attack at the age of 65 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.
MOH CITATION:
Took command of Company C, after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 23, GRAVE 21713.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
