Nicholas Fox

Private Nicholas Fox (November 1844 to October 2, 1929) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Fox received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Siege of Port Hudson in Louisiana on 14 June 1863. He was honored with the award on 1 April 1898.[2][3][4]

Nicholas Fox
Medal of Honor recipient Nicholas Fox c1898 wearing GAR cap
BornNovember 1844
Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland
DiedOctober 2, 1929
Port Chester, New York
Buried
Saint Mary's Cemetery, Rye Brook, New York[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
RankPrivate
UnitConnecticut Company H, 28th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsSiege of Port Hudson
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Fox was born in Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland in November 1844. While the exact date of his birth is uncertain, he was baptized on November 5, 1844, in the Roman Catholic church in Oldcastle. In 1855, the family emigrated to the United States on the ship Rappahannock, arriving in New York City on 23 May 1855. By the time of the 1860 United States census, they had settled in Greenwich, Connecticut. He enlisted in the 28th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. By 1890, he and his wife, Catherine Simcox, had settled in Port Chester, New York, where they raised twelve children. Fox worked for the R.B. & W. Bolt Works all his life, eventually becoming a superintendent. He died on 2 October 1929 and his remains are interred at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Rye Brook, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

“At Port Hudson, La., June 15th, 1863, this soldier, then a private in Company H., 28th Connecticut Volunteers, participated in the assault on the enemy’s works, but the troops were repulsed, leaving between the lines many wounded who were helpless and exposed to the enemy’s fire and the heat of the sun. After several men had been killed in attempting to relieve the sufferings of the wounded, Fox volunteered to carry water to them, and loading himself with canteens made two trips in plain view and under the hot fire of the enemy, his act being praised at the time by his brigade commander.”

— Port Chester [N.Y.] Journal, Thursday, 7 April 1898, page 1.

Citation

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Nicholas Fox, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 14 June 1863, while serving with Company H, 28th Connecticut Infantry, in action at Port Hudson, Louisiana. Private Fox made two trips across an open space, in the face of the enemy's concentrated fire, and secured water for the sick and wounded.

See also

References
  1. "Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI". Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  2. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  3. "Nicholas Fox". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  4. "U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 30 November 2013.
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