Theophilus Francis Rodenbough Theophilus Francis Rodenbough ( November 5 , 1838 – December 19 , 1912 ) was born in Easton , Pennsylvania and was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War . He received America ' s highest military decoration the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Gettysburg Campaign at the Battle of Trevilian Station . After his retirement from the U . S . Army in 1870 , he wrote several books about military history . Biography . On March 27 , 1861 , shortly before the outbreak of the American Civil War , Rodenbough was appointed a second lieutenant in the 2nd U . S . Dragoons . He was promoted to 1st lieutenant on May 14 , 1861 . On August 3 , 1861 , Rodenbough was transferred to the 2d U . S . Cavalry Regiment as the 2nd US Dragoons were renamed the 2nd US Cavalry . He was promoted to captain , U . S . Army , July 17 , 1862 . Rodenbough was captured at the Battle of Second Bull Run on August 31 , 1862 and exchanged on September 20 , 1862 . He served in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac , and as a Regular Army captain commanded the 2nd U . S . Cavalry during the Gettysburg Campaign . Gettysburg Campaign . A monument dedicated to the regulars of the United States Army who fought at Gettysburg includes Rodenbough . The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of engagements before and after the Battle of Gettysburg . To better understand Rodenbough ' s role within the military organization , the following brief is provided . For more details , see Gettysburg Union order of battle . Medal of Honor . Rodenbough received the Medal of Honor for his efforts in the June 11 , 1864 Battle of Trevilian Station , Virginia , where he was wounded . Rodebough lost his right arm in the Battle of Opequon , or Third Battle of Winchester , Virginia , on September 19 , 1864 . He briefly served as colonel of the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment between April 29 , 1865 and October 31 , 1865 . Post Civil War . Rodenbough was mustered out of the volunteer force on October 31 , 1865 . On January 13 , 1866 , President Andrew Johnson nominated Rodenbough for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general of volunteers , to rank from March 13 , 1865 , and the U . S . Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12 , 1866 . On July 28 , 1866 , Rodenbough was promoted to major , USA , and assigned to the 42nd U . S . Infantry Regiment . On July 18 , 1868 , President Johnson nominated Rodenbough for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general , U . S . Army ( regular army ) , to rank from March 13 , 1865 , and the U . S . Senate confirmed the appointment on July 18 , 1868 . Rodenbough was unassigned after March 15 , 1869 . Retirement . Rodenbough retired in 1870 as a colonel . Afterwards , he was occupied as an author and as an employee of the Soldiers ' Home in Washington , D . C . , and in New York State . He was the author of : Together with William L . Haskin he was the editor of " The Army of the United States " ( 1896 ) On April 23 , 1904 , Rodenbough was appointed brigadier general , USA , on the retired list . Theophilus Francis Rodenbough is interred at Easton Cemetery in Easton , Northampton County , Pennsylvania . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and Organization : Citation :