The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-12-19
REWARDED PcR DISTINGUISHED GAL
AgTaY.
John VI. Hostoiier Receives a Medal fc-
Heroic Conduct at the Battle of Lynch
burg Va

In Quemahoning township, this coUn-
ty, there resides veteran whose mate
modesiy had mp until short time ago
prevented his receiving the recognition
guaranteed by ''Uncie SAM To all sol
dicrs who distinguish themselves in fight
ing for the Union. The veterans name
is John w. Mos;ollcr late a private of
Company Il, 9Th Pennsylvania Volun-
teers. His surviving comrades have fire.
! quently referred 10 the heroic conduct OF
private Mostoller, but only recently was
he prevailed upon to permit his friends
10 present his claims 10 the Secretary of
War in order that he might receive the
distinguished honor conferred 10y Act of
Congress upon soldiers who have render
ed similar service.
The following letter, which explains
itself. was received by Squire Gardner,
who was instrumental in securing the
evidence required to sustain private Mos
toller's claims.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 1874
Nr. Geo. II. GdrfRsr. S.0geSf0HR Pr
SIE:-I have the honor to inform You
that, 10y direction of the President and in
| accordance with the act ofCongress ap-
| proved March ), 1852, providing for the
/ presentation of medals of honor to such
| officers, non-commissioned officers, and
| prlNates as have most distinguished them
selves IN action, the Acting Secretary of
/ War has awarded medal of honor to
john W. Mostoller, late private Company
| u, Fiity-iourth Regiment, Pennsylvania
| Volunteers, for most distinguished gal
laniTy Al the Battle of Lynchburg. Va,
| June Is lsU4
Please furnish this department with
| the Postofiice address of Mr.. Mostoller in
| order that the medal can be forwarded TO
aim as soon as suitably engraved.
Very respectfully,
I. {. AINswoRTH, Col. 1. :. a.
\ few days after the receipt ofthe above
letter Mr.. Mustoller received a beautiful
gold medal, similar in shape TO the g. \.
r.. badge, with the following engraved on
is face: II. :. Medal OF Honor to John w.
Mostoller, late private, Company Z, 9th
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers
The gallant conduct OF private Mostol-
Ter is thus described by one of his COM
ride- who was present AT the battle of
LynchbuTg, Va, on June Is, 1851: ''Com-
panies B, and @, became separated from
the rest Of the regiment early in the
action. Company Il, had met with terri
bic loss. Captain John Cole hai been
wounded and all ofthe remaining officers
OF the company had been either killed
or disabled, so that only nine soldiers of
the company were len when they got in
front ola rebel battery stationed near alog
house. MostOller, who was a fIvorite
with his comrades aud was looked upon
as the most courageous man in the COM
plny. lcaped in front of the remnant of
Company B, and shouting Come on
b1ysr' charged the rebel battery and pat
i, TO route. The battery was supported 10y
Infantry and soon recovered, and taking
new position opened fire Of grape and
cannaster on MOstollcr and his little band.
who by this time had been reinforced
by Company q. The battery was
second tine driven from its posi-
ton and Mostoller and his comrades were
pursuing ii FAR into the enemies lines
when the late Colonel +. u. Nutzy, Of the
5ith. came dashing mp on his horse and
commanded the attacking pa 70 fall
back inside the Federal lines Fr3.-i that
day 10 this Mosioller has been known 10
h.s comrades a. General
lie was one Of the tine first 70 enlist on
the breaking out Of the Rebellion, and
served in the campaigns Of Generals
Seigle, Hunter. Kelley, and Sheridan.
IL was captured by the enemy and con-
fined in Libby Prison on November 80,
I,l2. where he remained until exchanged.
Mr.. Mostoiler Is the first resident Of
this county toreceive medal for dis
tinguished service rendered the United
States. and 50 faras oGr knowledge goes
he i the only soldier in this or any ad-
joining county to be thus honorei.
The recipient OF the medal is justly
proud of the high honor conferred upon
him and every man in the county should
rejoice 1t this official recognition OF his
gIllantry.
Postmaster Uhl, OF this place, was one of
the nine men who followed MoStoller on
the charge referred II.