William Bailey Avery
Born: September 10, 1840,
Place of Birth: Providence, Rhode Island
Father: William David Avery
Mother: Elizabeth "Eliza" Hoxie
Wife: Ann Osborn
Children:
Eliza Avery
William Yale Avery
Sibyl Howe Perkins
Antebellum Activities:
Attended Brown University until war broke out, was among the first to enlist from that college.
Civil War Service:
1861: Enlisted in Company A of the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry on the 2nd of May at the age of 21
Participated in the First Battle of Bull Run
When his 3 months term had expired, he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant with Company B of the 1st New York Marine Artillery
1862: Participated in the Battle of Tranter's Creek, in North Carolina on the 5th of June
1862: He was promoted to Captain in August because of his actions at Tranter's Creek
1863: Muster out of Army on the 31st of March
1863: Appointed acting ensign in the U.S. Navy
1863: In December, joined the North Atlantic blockading squadron, on the screw steamer USS Dawn
Avery becomes the USS Dawn's executive officer
1865: Avery is discharged from the Navy on Aug. 10
Postbellum Activities:1868: Avery moves to Mississippi where he bought large interests and serves as county superintendent of education, lieutenant-colonel of militia, sheriff, and was elected as a member of the legislature five times.
1876 Avery moves to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later to Providence, Rhode Island, where he served as a member of the city council.
1889: Avery passes a Civil Service exam, and is appointed to a position in the War Department which he held until his death
1892: William was recommended for the Medal of Honor by Senator N. W. Aldrich
1893: On September 2, William was presented with the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Tranter's Creek
Died: July 19, 1894
Place of Death: Bayside, Rhode Island
Age at Death: 53 Years Old
Buried: North Burial Ground, Providence, Rhode Island, Section 13, Lot 2336
Medal of Honor Citation | The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant William B. Avery, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on June 5, 1862, while serving with 1st New York Marine Artillery, in action at Tranter's Creek, North Carolina. Second Lieutenant Avery handled his battery with greatest coolness amidst the hottest fire. |
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