Allegiance United States
Union Name William Simonds Other work Lawyer
Congressman Awards Medal of Honor | Rank Second Lieutenant Education Yale Law School Years of service 1862 - 1863 Role U.S. representative Service/branch Union Army | |
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Born November 24, 1842
Collinsville, Connecticut ( 1842-11-24 ) Place of burial Canton Center Cemetery Canton, Connecticut Battles/wars American Civil War
*Battle of Irish Bend Died March 14, 1903, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Books Practical Suggestions on the Sale of Patents: With Forms of Assignment, License, Contract ... | ||
Battles and wars American Civil War | ||
William Edgar Simonds (November 24, 1842 – March 14, 1903) was a United States Representative from Connecticut and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions as a soldier in the American Civil War.
Contents
Early life and education
Born in Collinsville, a neighborhood of Canton, Connecticut, Simonds attended the public school and Collinsville High School. He graduated from Connecticut State Normal School at New Britain in 1860 and became a teacher.
Military career
During the Civil War, Simonds enlisted August 18, 1862 as a private in Company A, 25th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to sergeant major before being mustered into the service. On April 14, 1863 he participated in the Battle of Irish Bend, Louisiana. It was for his actions at Irish Bend that he would later be awarded the Medal of Honor. Ten days after the battle he became a commissioned officer with a promotion to second lieutenant and was re-assigned to Company I of his regiment. He mustered out with his regiment in August 1863
Political career
After his military service, Simonds attended Yale Law School and graduated in 1865. He was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Hartford, Connecticut. He served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1883 and 1885, and served as Speaker in the latter year.
Simonds was elected as a Republican to the 51st United States Congress (March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890 to the 52nd Congress. He then served as United States Commissioner of Patents from 1891 to 1893.
On February 25, 1899, he was issued the Medal of Honor for his action at the Battle of Irish Bend thirty-six years earlier.
After leaving politics, Simonds resumed the practice of law. He died in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 14, 1903, and was buried at Village Cemetery in his hometown of Canton, Connecticut. <Village Cemetery rescords
Medal of Honor citation
ank and organization: Sergeant Major, 25th Connecticut Infantry. Place and date: At Irish Bend, La., April 14, 1863. Entered service at: Canton, Conn. Birth: ------. Date of issue: February 25, 1899.
Citation
Displayed great gallantry, under a heavy fire from the enemy, in calling in the skirmishers and assisting in forming the line of battle.