Over seventy-five Civil War veterans associated with Philadelphia were recipients of the Medal of Honor for their war service. They include men from all branches of the armed services, regular army, volunteers, navy and marines. Most of them received the award years after the war, even into the early twentieth century. Many were prominent members of Philadelphia society, and others were ordinary citizens who had demonstrated extraordinary service in combat. Among the better-known recipients was Henry H. Bingham, who was a ten-term congressman and leader of the Republican Party. At the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia, on May 6, 1864, he rallied and led into action troops that had given way under the fierce assaults. Bingham was promoted a brigadier general by brevet. Bingham is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Another recipient was Thomas Cripps, a quartermaster in the navy. He served aboard USS Richmond. As captain of a gun during action against Rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, Cripps fought his gun with skill and courage throughout a furious two-hour battle that resulted in the surrender of the ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan. He is buried in Woodlands Cemetery.
Michael Dougherty was born in Ireland and immigrated to Philadelphia. He served in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. At the head of his company, he dashed across an open field, exposed to a deadly fire from the enemy, and succeeded in dislodging the enemy from a house, which he and his comrades defended for several hours against repeated attacks, thus preventing the enemy from flanking the position of the Union forces. Dougherty was captured and sent to Andersonville Prison, which he survived. On his return home, he was aboard the USS Sultana when it blew up in the Mississippi, but again he survived. After the war, he moved to Bristol, Pennsylvania, where he worked and lived. He was active in the Grand Army Post #73 and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is buried in St. Mark’s Catholic Churchyard, Bristol.
Frank Furness served as captain and commander of Company F, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Rush’s Lancers). He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Trevilian Station, Virginia, on June 12, 1864, for bravery in carrying ammunition while running to an outpost across an open space that was swept by fire of the enemy. After the war, he became the best-known architect in Philadelphia. He is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
John F. Mackie served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. When his award was issued to him on July 10, 1863, he became the first member of the Marine Corps to receive the Medal of Honor. However, since he was on active duty at the time, his medal came to him later via the mail.
St. Clair Mulholland was born in Ireland. While serving as major of the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteers at Chancellorsville, Virginia, on May 4, 1863, he commanded the picket line, holding the enemy in check all night to cover the retreat of the army. After the war, he served as commissioner of police and was a member of the Union League. He is buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia.
George C. Platt was awarded the Medal of Honor as a private in Troop H, 6th U.S. Cavalry, for action on July 3, 1863, at Fairfield, Pennsylvania, in the Gettysburg Campaign. He seized his regiment’s flag when the color-bearer fell in a hand-to-hand fight and prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy. The Platt Bridge over the Schuylkill River was named for him. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, Pennsylvania.
Alfred Sellers received the Medal of Honor for action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1863. In command of his 90th Pennsylvania Regiment, he held his position under a withering fire, from which position the enemy was repulsed. He is buried in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Finally, John M. Vanderslice was a private in the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. At Hatchers Run, Virginia, on February 6, 1865, he was the first man to storm the enemy’s rifle pits, which were captured. After the war, Vanderslice was active in the leadership of the Grand Army of the Republic veterans’ organization.373