James Fegan Sergeant James Fegan ( 1827 – June 25 , 1886 ) was an American soldier in the U . S . Army who served with the 2nd and 3rd U . S . Infantry during the American Civil War , and Indian Wars . In March 1868 , while escorting a powder train en route from Fort Harker to Fort Dodge , Kansas , he single - handedly prevented a mob from blowing up the train to free an army deserter . For his efforts , he received the Medal of Honor . Fegan was popular and well known in the military during his lifetime . He was especially noted for his shrewdness and humor , having many colorful stories and anecdotes attributed to him . President Chester A . Arthur spoke of him in a special message to the United States Congress in 1882 . His life and career were among several prominent officers profiled by author Theo F . Rodenbough in his books " Uncle Sam ' s Medal of Honor " ( 1886 ) and " Sabre and Bayonet : Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure " ( 1897 ) . Biography . Early life and military career . Born in Athlone , Ireland in 1827 , James Fegan spent some time with the Irish Constabulary prior to emigrating to the United States . Shortly after arriving in New York City , New York , he enlisted as a private in the U . S . Army and assigned to Company I of the 2nd U . S . Infantry on October 29 , 1851 . By the end of his first enlistment in 1856 , he had risen to the rank of sergeant . Fegan remained with his unit up to and during the American Civil War . As part of the Army of the Potomac , he saw action at the Siege of Yorktown , Gaines ' Mill , Malvern Hill , Hanover Court House , Fair Oaks , Harrison ' s Landing , Bull Run , Centreville , South Mountain and Antietam . Though seriously wounded at Antietam , having taken a bullet in the right leg , he reenlisted in Company C of the 3rd U . S . Infantry on March 31 , 1864 . He held a distinguished war record , having been wounded several times in action , and participated in a number of major battles during the final years of the war . Among these included the battles of Petersburg , Reams ' Station , James ' Station , Birney Station , Stoneman ' s Creek , the first and second battles of Deep Bottom , South Side Railroad , Danville Railroad , Boydton Plank Road , Appomattox Station , Farmsville City , New House , Savage ' s Station , Reno Station , Manchester , Richmond , Dunwiddie , Burksville Junction , Appomattox Courthouse and the subsequent surrender of General Lee ' s Army . Incident at Plum Creek . Fegan remained with the Regular Army after the war and saw considerable service on the frontier . In March 1868 , he was assigned to escort a mule train carrying gunpowder from Fort Harker to Fort Dodge , Kansas . It was during the trip that Fegan caught an army deserter with the intention of turning him in upon his arrival in Fort Dodge . Camping one night near Plum Creek , however , Fegan was confronted by a fellow soldier , Sergeant John W . Blake of the 7th U . S . Cavalry , who had organized a posse from local townspeople and demanded that the deserter be released . Refusing to turn over his prisoner , the mob attempted to set the gunpowder on fire and take the deserter by force . Fegan ran off the mob single - handed , wounding two of his attackers , and continued to Fort Dodge where he safely arrived on March 13 . He was recommended by the fort commander for the Medal of Honor which he received on October 19 , 1868 . Later years . Fegan continued to serve with the 3rd U . S . Infantry during the last years of his life . Though placed in the Soldiers ' Home in Washington , D . C . shortly after his sixth reenlistment in 1870 , he but was granted a discharge and returned to duty in the Montana Territory . Fegan was a well - known character in the regiment , known for his shrewdness and humor , and many memorable anecdotes were attributed to him during his lifetime . On December 6 , 1882 , Fegan was the subject of a special presidential message by Chester A . Arthur to the United States Congress . His life and career was profiled by author Theo F . Rodenbough in his books " Uncle Sam ' s Medal of Honor " ( 1886 ) and " Sabre and Bayonet : Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure " ( 1897 ) . His son , John Fegan , Jr . , had joined the 3rd Infantry and eventually became a sergeant alongside his father in Company H . He retired from active service at Fort Missoula in the Montana Territory on May 8 , 1885 . A year later , Fegan died at Fort Shaw on June 25 , 1886 , at the age of 59 . He was interred at Custer National Cemetery near the Crow Agency in Montana . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Sergeant , Company H , 3d U . S . Infantry . Place and date : At Plum Creek , Kans . , March 1868 . Entered service at : - - - - - - . Birth : Ireland . Date of issue : 19 October 1878 . Citation : While in charge of a powder train en route from Fort Harker to Fort Dodge , Kans . , was attached by a party of desperadoes , who attempted to rescue a deserter in his charge and to fire the train . Sgt . Fegan , singlehanded , repelled the attacking party , wounding 2 of them , and brought his train through in safety .