Bartholomew Diggins
Bartholomew Diggins | |
---|---|
Born | County Kerry | October 9, 1844
Died | February 23, 1917 Washington, D.C. | (aged 72)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Navy |
Rank | Ordinary Seaman |
Unit | USS Hartford |
Battles / wars | Battle of Mobile Bay |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Bartholomew Diggins (October 9, 1844 – February 23, 1917) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for actions in the American Civil War.
Biography
Bartholomew Diggins was born in County Kerry Ireland. He entered the U.S. Navy from Maryland and served during the Civil War as an ordinary seaman on Rear Admiral David Farragut's flagship USS Hartford. Despite heavy gunfire at the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, on August 5, 1864, Diggins continually loaded a gun during the two-hour battle which damaged batteries at Fort Morgan and ended with the surrender of CSS Tennessee (1863). He was awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his conduct during this action. Bartholomew Diggins died in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.[1]
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
On board the flagship, U.S.S. Hartford, during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, DIGGINS, as loader of a gun, remained steadfast as his post throughout the furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Burial Detail: Diggins, Bartholomew (Section 13, Grave 5400-15)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
- ^ Naval Historical Center (2006-03-17). "US People – Diggins, Bartholomew". Online Library. Archived from the original on April 8, 2010. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
External links
- Bartholomew Diggins at Find a Grave
- "Bartholomew Diggins". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
- Navy General Order No. 391, November 12, 1891, order granting medal.
- "Bartholomew Diggins". at ArlingtonCemetery.net. (Unofficial website).
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.