Name Charles Cleveland | Rank Private Years of service 1861–1863 Died February 29, 1908 | |
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Born August 14, 1845Hartford, New York ( 1845-08-14 ) Place of burial Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, New York, United States | ||
Private Charles F. Cleveland (August 14, 1845 – February 29, 1908) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cleveland received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on 17 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 12 June 1895.
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Biography
Cleveland was born in Hartford, New York on 14 August 1845 to Daniel Cleveland and Alameda Dickinson Cleveland. Before the outbreak of the war he was a carpenter in Utica, New York. He enlisted into the 26th New York Infantry.
On 17 September 1862, the day on which he performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor, his regiment was involved in the Battle of Antietam. On seeing the color bearer of the regiment shot down, Cleveland voluntarily proceeded to take up the colors and carried them throughout the remainder of the battle. He was wounded during this battle but returned to his unit within two months.
Following the war Cleveland returned to Utica and entered the police service in 1874, moving up the ranks in the force in Utica, New York until he was eventually promoted to Chief of Police in June 1898. He served in this capacity until his death on 29 February 1908. His remains are interred at the Forest Hill Cemetery in New York.
Cleveland married Catherine Teresa in 1865, with whom he had four children.
Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily took and carried the colors into action after the color bearer had been shot.