8th Vermont Infantry
Medal of Honor
DOWNS, Henry W. (1844-1911)
Born 29 Aug 1844, Jamaica. Died 2 Jul 1911, Dayton, OH; buried Dayton National Cemetery (0-7-24). Sergeant, Co. I, 8th Vermont Infantry, credited to Newfane. At Winchester, VA, on 19 Sep 1864, "With one comrade, voluntarily crossed an open field, exposed to a raking fire, and returned with a supply of ammunition, successfully repeating the attempt a short time thereafter." Medal of Honor issued 13 Dec 1893. (NARA File: R&P 332358)
HOWARD, Squire E. (1840-1912)
Born 15 May 1840, Jamaica. Died 26 Nov, 1912; buried Newton Cemtery, Newton Center, MA. First Sergeant, Co. H, 8th Vermont Infantry. At Bayou Teche, LA, on 14 Jan 1863, he "voluntarily carried an important message through the heavy fire of the enemy to bring aid and save the gunboat Calhoun." Medal of Honor issued 29 Jan 1894. (NARA File: A-1230-VS-1864)
INGALLS, Lewis J. (1837-1913)
Born 11 Oct 1837, Boston, MA. Died 31 Dec 1913, Irasburg; buried Irasburg Cemetery. Private, Co. K, 8th Vermont Infantry, credited to Belvidere. At Boutte Station, LA, on 4 Sep 1862, "A railroad train guarded by about 60 men on flat cars having been sidetracked by a misplaced switch into an ambuscade of guerrillas who were rapidly shooting down the unprotected guards, this soldier, under a severe fire in which he was wounded, ran to another switch and, opening it, enabled the train and the surviving guards to escape." Medal of Honor issued 20 Oct 1899. (NARA File: R&P 516096)
THOMAS, Stephen (1809-1903)
Born 6 Dec 1809, Bethel. Died 18 Dec 1903; buried Green Mount Cemetery, Montpelier. Colonel, 8th Vermont Infantry, credited to Montpelier. At Cedar Creek, VA, on 19 Oct 1864, he was cited for "distinguished conduct in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, in which the advance of the enemy was checked." Medal of Honor issued 25 Jul 1892. (NARA File: W-2164-VS-1863)
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