Today, Alonzo Cushing was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallant service at Gettysburg. However, another member of his battery already received the Medal of Honor for his actions during Pickett's charge.
Frederick Füger was a German immigrant from Koppingen who came to the US in 1853. Three years later he enlisted in the United States Army. According to his wiki entry:
Füger's five-year enlistment was set to expire in 1861 when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter. He reenlisted and was promoted to First Sergeant of Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery under the command of Lt. Alonzo Cushing. During Pickett's Charge, as the Confederates were about to cross over the stonewall, Sgt. Füger was aiding his commander in directing the battery's fire when Cushing was killed. Füger assumed command of the battery and fired the remaining rounds of canister before fighting hand-to-hand to drive the Confederates off the field. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. He also received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army. By his own account Füger was present at 63 Civil War battles and minor engagements being slightly wounded twice.
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