Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal
Auburn rededicates corrected gravestone of Medal of Honor recipient
STEVE SHERLOCK, Sun Journal Staff Editor
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 6:12 pm
AUBURN — Company F of the 19th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was on the left flank of the Union lines during the Battle of Bristoe Station in Virginia on Oct. 14, 1863, during the Civil War.
With the Confederate lines faltering in front of him, Cpl. Moses C. Hanscom from the Danville neighborhood of Auburn moved in and captured the colors of the 26th North Carolina regiment. That effort earned Hanscom the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor. He was presented his medal by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1864.
Hanscom's gravestone overlooking the Androscoggin River at Oak Hill Cemetery in Auburn noted he was a Medal of Honor recipient, but the government misspelled Hanscom's last name as "Hansom." The city of Auburn rededicated his corrected gravestone Saturday on the 154th anniversary of his heroic act during the Battle of Bristoe Station.
Several dozen people attended the graveside ceremony, including three of Hanscom's descendants. "I was really surprised there are so many people here," said Carol May, Hanscom's great-grandniece. "I thought there would be maybe five of us standing here admiring the new stone."
May, who traveled from California for the ceremony, was joined by cousins Sharon Gray of Turner and Jean Millett of Norway. The two Maine cousins and May had never met before Saturday's service.
Capturing the opposing force's colors or flags was a significant achievement during the Civil War, May said in her remarks during the ceremony.
"In those days they did not have radios, so they followed the flag," May said. "The words 'rally around the flag' was not just an expression. If the flag was lost, the troops would be in disarray."
It is unclear when during the skirmish Hanscom captured the flag. The one-day battle was such a devastating loss for the South that Gen. Robert E. Lee surveyed the site after the battle and reportedly told one of his generals, "Bury these poor men and let us say no more about it."
Hanscom was a half-brother to May's great-grandfather, who moved to California in 1889. May knew nothing about her great-grandfather's half-brother until about 20 years ago while researching her genealogy. She visited the grave in 2000 and discovered the misspelled name but thought there was nothing she could do about it.
An employee of the Auburn Parks Department also noticed the error several years ago and told his supervisor, Leroy Walker, who was about to retire from the department. Walker, now an Auburn city councilor, contacted the federal government to request a replacement marker. It arrived after Walker left and remained in the corner of the garage at Pettengill Park until it was discovered a couple of months ago.
May's Maine cousins were aware of Hanscom's exploits, but they did not know until recently where he was buried.
The ceremony included the reading of letters sent by Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins and U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin. Tim Gallant, Poliquin's representative, presented the family with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol.
Hanscom survived the war but died in 1873 while studying to be a clergyman, like his father. His Medal of Honor is on display at the Maine State Museum in Augusta.
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Moses C. Hanscom, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 14 October 1863, while serving with Company F, 19th Maine Infantry, in action at Bristoe Station, Virginia, for capture of the flag of 26th North Carolina (Confederate States of America).
OCTOBER 9-22, 1863--The Bristoe, Virginia, Campaign.
Report of Lieut. Col. Henry W. Cunningham, Nineteenth Maine Infantry.
NEAR BULL RUN, VA., October 16, 1863.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of this regiment in the action near Bristoe Station, Va., on the 14th instant:
My command was placed in position by order of Colonel Heath, commanding brigade, about 2 p.m., on the left of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and on the eastern side of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. When the attack was made by the enemy in our immediate front, it was most gallantly met and repulsed by this regiment. After a severe action of nearly one hour the enemy had fallen back in disorder, leaving large numbers of his killed and wounded in our front.
A large number of prisoners were taken by this regiment and the regimental flag of the Twenty-second North Carolina Infantry (Confederate) was captured in front of our line by Private Moses C. Hanscom, of Company F, of this regiment. While the loss of the enemy was heavy, that sustained by my regiment was comparatively slight, owing to our splendid position, and the protection of the railroad bank where we were. The whole loss of the regiment was 1 killed and 12 wounded.
The conduct of the officers and men of the entire regiment during this action was most excellent. I cannot specify any without injustice to the rest. I would also report that the conscripts of my regiment (about 250 in number), assigned to me within the past month, and who had never been in action before, behaved with great steadiness and gallantry, justly winning from all who observed them equal praise with our volunteers.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. W. CUNNINGHAM,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Nineteenth Maine Volunteers.
Capt. W.B.C. DURYEE, Assistant Adjutant-General.
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Source: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, PAGE 279-48
OPERATIONS IN N.C., VA., W.VA., MD., AND PA. CHAP. XLI.
[Series I. Vol. 29. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 48.]
Report of Lieut. Col. Henry W. Cunningham, Nineteenth Maine Infantry.
NEAR BULL RUN, VA., October 16, 1863.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of this regiment in the action near Bristoe Station, Va., on the 14th instant:
My command was placed in position by order of Colonel Heath, commanding brigade, about 2 p.m., on the left of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and on the eastern side of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. When the attack was made by the enemy in our immediate front, it was most gallantly met and repulsed by this regiment. After a severe action of nearly one hour the enemy had fallen back in disorder, leaving large numbers of his killed and wounded in our front.
A large number of prisoners were taken by this regiment and the regimental flag of the Twenty-second North Carolina Infantry (Confederate) was captured in front of our line by Private Moses C. Hanscom, of Company F, of this regiment. While the loss of the enemy was heavy, that sustained by my regiment was comparatively slight, owing to our splendid position, and the protection of the railroad bank where we were. The whole loss of the regiment was 1 killed and 12 wounded.
The conduct of the officers and men of the entire regiment during this action was most excellent. I cannot specify any without injustice to the rest. I would also report that the conscripts of my regiment (about 250 in number), assigned to me within the past month, and who had never been in action before, behaved with great steadiness and gallantry, justly winning from all who observed them equal praise with our volunteers.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. W. CUNNINGHAM,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Nineteenth Maine Volunteers.
Capt. W.B.C. DURYEE, Assistant Adjutant-General.
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Source: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, PAGE 279-48
OPERATIONS IN N.C., VA., W.VA., MD., AND PA. CHAP. XLI.
[Series I. Vol. 29. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 48.]
Click HERE to read the account of the Battle of Bristoe Station from the History of the 19th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry.