William H Appleton

On episode three hundred and twenty-two, the story of William H Appleton is told. All stories in July and August will be recipients from the American Civil War Be sure to visit our website for more information as the show goes on at: www.talesofhonorpodcast.com. Thanks for listening and be sure to share with friends and family!

William was born on the 24th of March, 1843, in Chichester, New Hampshire, where his father was a wheelwright. He enlisted in the Union Army in May of 1861 at the age of 19 and was assigned to Company I of the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry. He fought at First Manassas, the Peninsula Campaign, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg before joining a newly formed unit, the 4th US Colored Infantry. This unit was formed in Baltimore, Maryland on the 15th of July, 1863, and William joined Company H as a Second Lieutenant in August that same year. It was his actions at the Second Battle of Petersburg that would earn him a promotion and the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

The first man of the Eighteenth Corps to enter the enemy's works at Petersburg, Va., 15 June 1864. Valiant service in a desperate assault at New Market Heights, Va., inspiring the Union troops by his example of steady courage.

William was able to lead the charge and was unscathed at the end. One other officer was killed, along with five others wounded in the same battle. He was promoted to Captain and moved to command Company E, where they would go on to fight at and capture Fort Fisher in January of 1865. William and the 4th US Colored Infantry were mustered out of service in May of 1866 and little else is known about his post service life is known. He was brevet promoted to Major before his end of service and he received his Medal of Honor on the 18th of February, 1891. William H Appleton died on the 9th of September, 1912, at the age of 69 years old and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Pembroke, New Hampshire.