Background
William Steinmetz was born in Newport, Kentucky on September 2, 1847.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
William Steinmetz
Edit ProfileCareer
He was a Corporal in the American Civil War. He entered service at Sunman, Indiana and he served in the Union Army in Company G, 83rd Indiana Infantry. His citation reads " The Vicksburg campaign was waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863.
On the morning of May 22, General Grant launched what he hoped would be a crushing assault against Vicksburg.
In the fighting that followed, the Union Infantry was repulsed and thrown back along a three-mile front. The Union Army suffered more than 3,000 casualties, and 97 Union soldiers earned Medals of Honor (the second largest single-day total in history) Private William Steinmetz was one of eighty soldiers cited simply for "Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party," seemingly innocuous wording that actually denotes the fact that Private Steinmetz was at the head of his attacking force where the enemy fire was hottest and the danger the greatest.
Following the failed assault on May 22, a forty-seven day siege was laid against the city, which finally surrendered to Union forces on July 4. He died on June 10, 1903 and is buried in Wesleyan Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Achievements
-
Born
-
Died
June 10, 1903 (aged 55) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
-
Medal of Honor Medal of Honor; Medals of Honor
Medal of Honor citation Rank and Organization: Private, Company G, 83d Indiana Infantry. Place and date: At Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863. Entered service at: Sunmans, Ind. Birth: Newport, Ky. Date of issue: July 12, 1894. Citation: Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."Medal of Honor citation Rank and Organization: Private, Company G, 83d Indiana Infantry. Place and date: At Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863. Entered service at: Sunmans, Ind. Birth: Newport, Ky. Date of issue: July 12, 1894. Citation: Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."