Charles W Anderson, aka George Pforr

On episode one hundred and twenty-two, the story of Charles W Anderson is told. This episode is brought to you by Combat Flip Flops: flipping the view on how wars are won - business, not bullets. Be sure to visit our website for more information as the show goes on at: www.talesofhonorpodcast.com.

George Pforr was born on the 15th of March, 1844 in Baltimore, Maryland. He had enlisted in the Confederate States Army and had served in a cavalry brigade with an artillery battery but in February of 1864, George Pforr deserted the CSA and enlisted in the 1st Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry. For those that pay attention, you are thinking that this episode wasn't supposed to be about a person named George Pforr and you are correct. When George Pforr enlisted in the Lincoln Cavalry, he used the name Charles and also gave a different place of birth. Charles was assigned to Company K and it was his actions during the Battle of Waynesboro on the 2nd of March, 1865, that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads: “Capture of unknown Confederate flag”.

Charles and others that had captured enemy flags were awarded the Medal of Honor on the 19th of March, 1865 by the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Charles ended up reenlisting in the 3rd US Cavalry, Company M, on the 11th of January 1866 and went on to serve another 12 years and fought in the Indian Wars before receiving a hardship discharge on the 4th of April, 1878.

Charles settled in Staunton, Virginia and became George Pforr once again.He got married in 1878 and received a federal pension for his military service in 1906. Charles W Anderson, also known as George Pforr, died on the 25th of February 1916 at the age of 71 and is buried in the Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia; section 10, lot 87.