VERMONTERS
Awarded the Medal of Honor
in the ACW
Wheelock G. Veazy, Colonel
16th Vermont Infantry
3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Corps
Mustered in as Captain of 3rd Vt. infantry
July 16, 1861
Promoted to Lt. Col. August 15, 1861
Discharged to accept commission as colonel of 16th VT. Infantry September 27,
1862
Medal of Honor date of
issue September 8, 1891
Citation: Rapidly assembled his
regiment and charged the enemy's flank; changed front under heavy fire and
charged and destroyed a Confederate brigade; all this with new troops in their
first battle.
Service at Gettysburg: The
16th Vermont infantry played a critical role in stopping the Confederate
assault against the Union center on July 3. Led by Colonel Veazy, the
16th made a "right wheel" so that their front faced the flank of
Pickett's charging column. From this point they inflicted severe
casualties on the Confederates. Soon two Confederate brigades came up to
support the rebel flank. Veazy had the 16th Vermont again change front and
charge the oncoming rebel support. These Confederates were repulsed,
losing hundreds of prisoners and two battle flags.
Maj. General Abner Doubleday wrote that
Veazy and the Vermonters,"...broke the desperate charge of Pickett, saved
the day and with it, the whole North from invasion and devastation."
Born: December 5, 1835 – Died
March 22, 1898
Birthplace: Brentwood, New Hampshire
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, VA
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