Charles Higby (1841 – February 19, 1903) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Appomattox Campaign.

Charles Higby
Born1841
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DiedFebruary 19, 1903 (aged 61–62)
McLoud, Oklahoma
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1862 - 1865
RankPrivate
UnitPennsylvania Company F, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
 • Appomattox Campaign
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

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Born in 1841 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Higby was living in nearby New Brighton when he enlisted in the Union Army in August 1862.[1][2] He served as a private in Company F of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Appomattox Campaign, which took place from March 29 to April 9, 1865, in Virginia. For his conduct in this campaign, he received the Medal of Honor a month later, on May 3, 1865. His official citation reads simply: "Capture of flag".[1][3]

After the war, Higby returned to New Brighton before settling in Oklahoma.[2] He died on February 19, 1903, at age 61 or 62 and was buried in McLoud, Oklahoma.[1]

Higby's Medal of Honor is owned by his extended family and is on loan to the Soldiers and Sailors National Military Museum and Memorial in Pittsburgh.[2]

MoH Citation

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Capture of flag.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c "Charles Higby". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Butterfield, Sam (August 22, 2011). "Beaver County woman recovers hero's medal from Civil War". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (A–L)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 26, 2011. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
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