b. 17/11/1841 Union City, Michigan. d. 08/01/1904 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 30/11/1864 Honey Hill, South Carolina.
Orson W Bennett MOH
Bennett was born in Union City in Branch County, Michigan. He enlisted into the 1st Iowa Volunteers at Dubuque, Iowa. Having left the war due to injuries he received during the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, he subsequently re-enlisted into the 12th Wisconsin Infantry and was later a lieutenant in the 102d U.S. Colored Troops.
He received the Medal of Honor for his action on 30 November 1864, during the Battle of Honey Hill. The 3rd New York Battery having been decimated and leaving behind useful artillery, Bennett led his infantry unto the battlefield to recover the cannons. After several attempts his men were finally able to recover the artillery. He finally received his Medal of Honor on 9 March 1887.
MOH CITATION:
After several unsuccessful efforts to recover three pieces of abandoned artillery, this officer gallantly led a small force fully 100 yards in advance of the Union lines and brought in the guns, preventing their capture.
BURIAL LOCATION: WESTMINSTER CEMETERY, BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA.
LANDSDOWNE SECTION, LOT 94, GRAVE 1
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
