WILLIAM B HINCKS

U.S. Civil War – U.S. Army

William B Hincks

Details

  • Rank: Sergeant Major (Highest Rank: Major)
  • Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
  • Unit/Command:
    14th Connecticut Infantry
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: July 3, 1863
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Citation

During the highwater mark of Pickett’s charge on 3 July 1863 the colors of the 14th Tennessee Infantry C.S.A. were planted 50 yards in front of the center of Sgt. Maj. Hincks’ regiment. There were no Confederates standing near it but several were lying down around it. Upon a call for volunteers by Maj. Ellis, commanding, to capture this flag, this soldier and two others leaped the wall. One companion was instantly shot. Sgt. Maj. Hincks outran his remaining companion, running straight and swift for the colors amid a storm of shot. Swinging his saber over the prostrate Confederates and uttering a terrific yell, he seized the flag and hastily returned to his lines. The 14th Tenn. carried 12 battle honors on its flag. The devotion to duty shown by Sgt. Maj. Hincks gave encouragement to many of his comrades at a crucial moment of the battle.

Medal of Honor Recipient William B. Hincks
Medal of Honor Recipient William B. Hincks

Additional Details

  • Accredited to: Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: December 6, 1864
    By Major General George G. Meade, at a review of the 2nd Army Corps Headquarters, Peebles’ House, near Petersburg, Va.
  • Born: 1841, Bucksport, Hancock County, ME, United States
  • Died: November 7, 1903, Bridgeport, CT, United States
  • Buried: Mountain Grove Cemetery (MH) (1-17), Bridgeport, CT, United States