US Sperry, William

William Joseph Sperry​

Service: U.S. Army

Rank and organization: Major, 6th Vermont Infantry

Entered service at: Vermont

Born: December 28, 1840, Cavendish, VT

Location of Action: Petersburg, Va

Date of Action: April 2, 1865

Date Presented: August 12, 1892

Citation: With the assistance of a few men, captured 2 pieces of artillery and turned them upon the enemy.

Died: March 3, 1914

Burial Place: Cavendish, VT

He entered Civil War service soon after the start of the war, being mustered in as a Private in Company E, 1st Vermont (Three-Month) Volunteer Infantry on May 9, 1861. He served through the engagement at Big Bethel, Virginia in June 1861, and was mustered out when his enlistment expired on August 15, 1861. On October 15, 1861 he was mustered in as a Sergeant in Company E, 6th Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and served continually through the war, receiving promotions to 2nd Lieutenant on August 21, 1862, 1st Lieutenant on March 3, 1863, Captain on August 8, 1864, and to Major on January 7, 1865. At the October 19, 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, he assumed command of the regiment when he became the senior unwounded officer. Major William J. Sperry, commanding the 6th Vermont, led the group that captured the artillery that was fired by shooting muskets into the vents of the guns. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery. His citation reads "With the assistance of a few men, captured 2 pieces of artillery and turned them upon the enemy". Brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, US Volunteers to date from April 2, 1865, he was appointed full Lieutenant Colonel on June 4, 1865, but was mustered out on June 26, 1865 before the rank could become official. His Medal was awarded to him on August 12, 1892.

 

[JOHN42768]

'65-'92 one long wait for his medal

 

[MC44]

Funny that you should post this. A friend of mine was telling me he came across Sperry's gravesite recently while in Cavendish, Vt.

Here is the link from a website with photo:

Vermont Civil War, Lest We Forget

 

[UCVRelics]

One thing thats has always stood out to me is the majority of the MOH's given during the CW were for capturing flags or cannons.

 

[Seduzal]

Thanks for sharing this awesome story and photos. Never seen this before. Learn something new.

 

[ealexander1865]

'65-'92 one long wait for his medal

Sperry seemingly didn't show much interest in one. When Lewis Grant, who commanded the Vermont brigade, became Assistant Secretary of War in 1890 he sought to recognize more soldiers with the Medal, including those from his former command. Vermont Lieutenant Governor Henry A. Fletcher suggested Sperry as a candidate but noted that Sperry was "too modest to do anything for himself."