Captain Moses Veale
SERVICE NOTES
Service/Branch: United States Army
Entered Service In: Philadelphia, Pa.
Entered Service On: February 20, 1862
Unit: Company F, 109th Pennsylvania Infantry
Rank: Captain
Discharged on: June 8, 1865
Additional Service Notes: In addition to his MoH action, he taken prisoner at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, and was held at the infamous Libby Prison. Exchanged, he served on the staff of Union General John W. Geary during Sherman's March to the Sea. Highest Rank Attained: Major
MEDAL OF HONOR DETAILS
Location of Action: Wauhatchie, Tenn
Date of Action: October 28, 1863
Date Award Issued: January 17, 1894
Citation: Gallantry in action manifesting throughout the engagement coolness, zeal, judgment, and courage. His horse was shot from under him and he was hit by 4 enemy bullets.
Additional Notes:
The battle of Wauhatchie Tenn. on October 28, 1863, was fought by General J.W. Geary, commanding the Second Division of the Twelfth Army Corps, against General Longstreet's Division of General Lee's Army Corps.
General Geary had at his disposal, about 1,500 men, all told.
The presence of the rebels was well known to General Geary, but his position was difficult to ascertain. The first information on this score was furnished by a woman who told one of the officers that the rebels were gathered at the foot of Lookout Mountain. General Geary ordered pickets to be placed and enjoined the utmost vigilance upon the regimental commanders.
Shortly after midnight the Union outposts gave the alarm and the entire command was put under arms at once. A fitful moon cast but a dim light, sufficiently only to see a body of men at a distance of no more than 100 yards, and during the subsequent fierce fight the whereabouts of the combatants could be revealed only by the flashes of the firearms. The Federal position was not a very favorable one. No protection was offered, except a fence, which, was improved under fire, into a rude breastwork. For three hours the contest raged along the whole line.
"Pick off the artillerist!" the rebels exclaimed. Captain C.A. Atwell, who commanded one section of artillery, fell mortally wounded; Lieutenant E.R. Geary, commander of the other section, son of the general, was killed. The men and horses fell so rapidly that only two guns could be worked after the attack, Still the men refused to yield to the rebel onslaught. General Geary's men stubbornly maintained their ground and held the enemy at bay by a death dealing fire.
Among the most gallant of the leaders was Captain Moses Veale of Company F, One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, who was in the thickest of the fight. He and his men fought near one gun of the battery at the most critical period of the battle. General Geary speaks of his coolness, zeal, judgment and courage in the most flattering expressions. The Captain was struck four times by the enemy's bullets, one ball passing through his right shoulder. His horse too was shot from under him, but, nevertheless the brave soldier refused to give up or leave his post. He remained at the head of his company, directing its telling fire, until the enemy realizing their numerical strength availed them nothing as against such bravery and valor, retired and left the victors of that bloody night.
Excerpted from: Deeds of Valor, Walter Frederick Beyer & Oscar Frederick Keydel, Perrien-Keydel Co., 1902
PERSONAL DETAILS
Birthdate: November 9, 1832
Birthplace: Bridgeton, N.J.
Spouse: Emma MacDonald Veale
Died: in Philadelphia, PA on July 27, 1917 at Age 84
Buried: West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Photo and some info from: Deeds of Valor, Walter Frederick Beyer & Oscar Frederick Keydel, Perrien-Keydel Co., 1902
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