Over forty New Hampshire men, whether a native son, a resident, or a volunteer accredited to the state, earned a Medal of Honor for their actions during the Civil War. Here is one story:
A new stone for Sgt. Falls, at Pine Grove Cem., Lynn, MA - photo taken 7 April 2019 (S. Dow)
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FALLS
Color Sergeant, Company A, 19th Massachusetts Infantry.
Place/date of action: at Gettysburg, PA, 3 July 1863
Date of issue. December 1864.
Citation: Capture of flag.
Color Sergeant, Company A, 19th Massachusetts Infantry.
Place/date of action: at Gettysburg, PA, 3 July 1863
Date of issue. December 1864.
Citation: Capture of flag.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire born Benjamin F. Falls was a resident of Lynn, Massachusetts when he enlisted on 10 Aug 1861 at age 36, and was mustered in as a private with Co. A, 19th Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, on the 28th. Promoted to corporal on 1 May '63, he would soon reach the rank of sergeant, following the unit's actions (and losses) at Gettysburg.
Photo of Benjamin F. Falls, holding the regiment's colors following the Battle of Gettysburg (taken from the Hist. of the 19th Mass, opposite pg 70)
Attached to Hancock's II Corps, Second Division, Third Brigade, the 19th MA found themselves, on July 3rd, at the center of the line, near the copse of oak trees that had been the chosen target for Pickett's Charge that afternoon. Of the 160 officers and men of the 19th able to be mustered for the engagement, 9 were killed, 60 wounded, and 8 were missing.
Four rebel flags were taken at the wall that day by the 19th Regiment. In the case of Mr. Falls, the History of the 19th Mass says that Benjamin, upon reaching the wall, saw a rebel flag flying above it, and so went to retrieve the colors. Looking down, an enemy soldier was still holding tight to it. "Falls raised his musket on which was the bayonet, and, holding it like a spear over the Johnnie, said 'Hut, Tut! Let alone of that or I'll run ye through'". Both the flag and the rebel were his for the capture.
Sgt. Falls did not survive the war, having been mortally wounded at The Wilderness on 12 May 1864, carrying his colors into battle at Spotsylvania. His service record says he died in a Fredericksburg hospital on the 14th. The History of the 19th, pg 322, says he was buried there. His body may have been later returned to Lynn, MA, and buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, where a veteran stone was ordered for him (contract dated Jan 1883).
Back home in in Lynn, he left behind his wife Sarah, and two daughters, Mary, aged 9, and Lucy, aged 4.
Back home in in Lynn, he left behind his wife Sarah, and two daughters, Mary, aged 9, and Lucy, aged 4.
Links/Sources:
Adams, John G. B. Reminiscences of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1899.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Benjamin Frank Falls
Medal of Honor, 1863-1968: pg 87
Pension Papers: WC46472 (full file on Fold3.com - sub required)
Waitt, Ernest Linden. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1865. Salem, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 1906.
Adams, John G. B. Reminiscences of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1899.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Benjamin Frank Falls
Medal of Honor, 1863-1968: pg 87
Pension Papers: WC46472 (full file on Fold3.com - sub required)
Waitt, Ernest Linden. History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1865. Salem, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 1906.
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