William P. Black

William Perkins Black
Born	(1842-11-11)November 11, 1842 Woodford County, Kentucky, US
Died	January 3, 1916(1916-01-03) (aged 73) Chicago, Illinois, US
Place of burial	Graceland Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	Union Army
Years of service	1861–1864
Rank	Captain
Unit	11th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry 37th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Battles / wars	Battle of Pea Ridge
Awards	Medal of Honor

William Perkins Black (November 11, 1842 – January 3, 1916) was a lawyer and veteran of the American Civil War. He received America's highest military decoration – the Medal of Honor – for his actions at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in 1862.

Biography

He was the brother of John C. Black, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, who was also a Medal of Honor recipient. The Black brothers are one of only five pairs of brothers to have received the Medal of Honor.

In 1867, together with Thomas Dent, Black founded the law firm of Dent & Black. As a lawyer, Black was best known for having served as defense counsel to the people charged with inciting the Haymarket Riot of 1886.

He died at his home in Chicago on January 3, 1916, and was buried at Graceland Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, Company K, 37th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Pea Ridge, Ark., 7 March 1862. Entered service at: Danville, Ill. Born: 11 November 1842, Woodford, Ky. Date of issue: 2 October 1893.

Citation:

Single-handedly confronted the enemy, firing a rifle at them and thus checking their advance within 100 yards of the lines.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F

References

• "William Perkins Black". Army of Medal of Honor website. July 16, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2007.