Shadrach & Wilson - The Medal of Honor

"In Knoxville we had urged that all should lie tried together, or that the sentence of one should stand for all. There was no reason for giving any preference to one over another, and no indication that such preference was to be given. But even if we had not believed that only a few days or hours of prison life lay between us and the scaffold, the parting from our loved friends, whose voices were yet lingering in our ears while they themselves had passed beyond the gates of death, was enough to break the stoutest heart. There were tears then in eyes that would not have quivered in the presence of any danger."

THE Quest for the MEDAL OF HONOR

The Quest for the Medal of Honor was Completed July 3, 2024 - 162 Years Following the Andrews Raid or Great Locomotive Chase Events

The purpose of this site was to provide a history and resource guide to the Andrews Raid of April 12, 1862, and the Quest for the Medal of Honor on behalf of: Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach and Pvt. George D. Wilson.

It was envisioned to create a repository for documentation submitted to the Department of Defense and the White House requesting that Private Shadrach and Private Wilson be awarded the Medal of Honor for their action during the Civil War. The Quest for the award was achieved on July 3, 2024 in a Presidential White House ceremony that can be viewed here: White House Medal of Honor Ceremony.

On July 4th, they were inducted into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. That ceremony can be viewed here: Medal of Honor Hall of Heroes Induction Video. During the Pentagon ceremony their names were virtually unveiled on the U.S. Army Medal of Honor Garden Wall. The following are Links to U.S. Army websites honoring Private Shadrach and Private Wilson .

Background

On March 25, 1863 Secretary of War Stanton awarded the first Medals of Honor to members of the Andrews Raid that had been repatriated to the United States in a prisoner of war exchange. It occurred following deposition before Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt of the United States Army about the details of the Great Locomotive Chase. The award ceremony was completed with a visit and discussion with President Abraham Lincoln. At that time, Secretary of War Stanton declared that as they become known, all men of this party shall receive this award. However, Private Wilson and Private Shadrach were overlooked. The Story of Andrews Raid.

To correct this oversight, the MOH effort proceeded through the military chain of command reaching President George W. Bush’s desk in 2006. But, at that time, legislation had not been enacted waving the time limitation to authorize the award. In 2007, Ohio Congressman David Hobson sponsored amended legislation that was subsequently signed into law by President Bush in the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (Defense Act). With the President now authorized to award the Medal of Honor, we waited patiently for these men to be rightfully recognized among their comrades. In 2012, during the 150th anniversary of events of the Great Locomotive Chase or Andrews Raid, President Obama recognized three others with the Medal of Honor (also authorized in the Defense Act) but failed to recognize Private Shadrach and Private Wilson. With the continued omission of the 2008 Presidentially authorized medals, a campaign was initiated in 2012 to correct that injustice.

The Website

To maintain the historic documents, research effort, and track significant writings and submittals, it was determined that a repository was needed so that the public, government, and the military could reference the records and status. With that task in mind, I contacted Don Krolikowski to set up this website and to generate and manage large documents, files, data, and other media. Many thanks and appreciation are owed Don.

Many thanks are due Michael Raymondi for his contributions and editing assistance with nearly every document that was prepared. Research efforts were headed by historian Brad Quinlin. Many thanks are due him for the energy and skill he brought through research tenacity unwavering support tying in legislative members and members of the Chattanooga Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Through the efforts of the above among others, the Quest has been achieved.

This website also provides an historical account of the mission, the action behind enemy lines, the risks they took and the sacrifice they made in preservation of the Union. An historical account of the Great Locomotive Chase as largely told by the men of the Andrews Raid: The Story of Andrews Raid.

Premise on which the MOH Case was Founded

In addition to these men meeting the criteria on which the Medal of Honor has been historically and currently awarded we note the following historical accounts:

During the Raiders initial capture and trials in Knoxville, William Pittenger later remarked that in their defense: "We had urged that all should lie tried together, or that the sentence of one should stand for all. There was no reason for giving any preference to one over another.”
Following the execution of James Andrews and the seven including Private Shadrach and Private Wilson, the remaining Raiders eventually wrote asking for respite. The letter reached that of Confederate President Jefferson Davis who responded in a note, “Inquire whether there is anything to justify a discrimination between these and the others who were executed for the same offense. J.D.”
In awarding the first Medals of Honor to the repatriated Raiders, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton said that: “Congress by a recent law ordered medals to be prepared on this model and your party shall have the first.” In succeeding years, as each member of the party became known, they in turn were placed on the same footing with the Medal of Honor conferred. Perhaps because it was never requested on their behalf, Shadrach and Wilson were overlooked.

Petitioning to Correct the Oversight

To address and correct this oversight, numerous letters were written and a Medal of Honor Recommendation package consisting of a compendium of over 300 pages was submitted to the U.S. Army and the Pentagon dated 15 February 2016. It was prepared and submitted in accordance with DoDM 1348.33-V1 Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: Medal of Honor (MOH) for Preparation of Medal of Honor Recommendations. The submittal was also prepared in accordance with the: Medal of Honor Review and Recommendation Process for Acts of Heroism during the Civil War, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness, June 2013. This document and many others may be found on the website.

More than sixteen years and four administrations passed before Pvt. Shadrach and Pvt. Wilson were finally to be recognized among their comrades with the Medal of Honor.

On July 3 and July 4 respectively, I was humbled to be present, along with my wife and family, as a representative at the White House and the Hall of Heroes Ceremonies in the Pentagon for these soldiers, on behalf of the great state of Ohio and our nation.

It was with your help, a grateful nation helped move our government into making a determination for these men. The decision due these men was about the respect earned and due all former and current servicemen and women. It is for them and the nation that we honor these newest recipients with the Medal of Honor.

Historical Perspective

To share a few words penned by Ohio’s Governor, Charles Anderson in 1866, on the finding of seven of the Raiders buried in Atlanta where they had been executed nearly four years earlier, he wrote, in part… “They suffered for all our sakes, defeat, imprisonment, insult, and, in the end, ignominious death. They sleep afar in unhonored graves. But we see now that the end is not yet. The very people, and their children, who have scoffed, reviled, and murdered them, shall learn to love and honor these patriot heroes, who so nobly died for them no less than for us.”

And indeed, today we see that their descendants have erected monuments and museums focused on honoring these very men. Soldiers that covertly invaded Confederate land, were captured, harshly treated, imprisoned nearby and even some of their numbers executed. It is a timely reminder to our current generation to heed the divisions of parochial interests and to collaborate in side-by-side constructive compromise in reaching a consensus that can move us all forward.

We pray that this generation and the next will rededicate itself to the bipartisanship ideals on which this nation was founded.

"At that time, Secretary of War Stanton declared that as they become known, all men of this party shall receive this award."

Quest for Retroactive Civil War Medals of Honor for:

Private Philip Gephart Shadrach, Company K, 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry Regiment, also known as Charles Perry Shadrach, and
Private George Davenport Wilson, Company B, 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry Regiment.

Bios:

Biography of Pvt. Shadrach
- Enrolled in the service under the name of Charles P. Shadrach. His family knew him as Perry G. or Phillip Gephart; 21 years, 6 months, 27 days of age on the day of the raid.
- Born Sept. 15, 1840 in Somerset County, Penn., to Robert and Elizabeth Shadrach.
- Orphaned at a young age, never married.
- Enlisted as Pvt., Co. K 2d Ohio Infantry Regiment, for 3 years’ service. Enlisted at Michell Salt Works, Ohio.
- Volunteered for the Andrews Raid April 7, 1862.
- Captured April 12, 1862 while executing the secret service mission to take Chattanooga.
- He was tried and Court-martialed as a Union spy at Knoxville, Tenn. under General Orders No. 54, HQ. Dept. of East Tenn., CSA.
- Executed by hanging June 18, 1862 at the corner of Fair Street (now Memorial Drive) and South Park Avenue, Atlanta, Ga.
- Buried at the site of execution until his remains were removed post war to the Chattanooga National Cemetery, Tenn., April 25, 1866. Buried near the Ohio Memorial, Section H, Grave No. 11,181.
- No Medal of Honor.
- Pvt. Shadrach – Pension Records
Biography of Pvt. Wilson
- Tall with a spare frame, high cheekbones with overhanging brows, thin brownish hair, long thin wiskers and sharp gray eyes. Journeyman shoemaker.
- Born in 1830 in Belmont County, Ohio to Elizabeth Clark and George Wilson. Father died April 4, 1861.
- Married Martha Marple Wilson on Sept. 6, 1849, and divorced Feb. 8, 1861. One son born Nov. 12, 1852, died in railroad wreck in Ohio, August 1888. One daughter died in 1861.
- Enrolled as Pvt., Co. B, 2d Ohio Inf. Regt., Aug. 31, 1861, Franklin Ohio, for three years’ service.
- Volunteered for Andrews Raid April 7, 1862.
- Captured April 12, 1862 while executing the secret service mission to take Chattanooga.
- Tried and Court-martialed as a Union spy at Knoxville, Tenn., May 31, 1862, General Orders No. 54, HQ. Dept. of East Tenn., CSA.
- Executed by hanging June 18, 1862 at the corner of Fair Street (now Memorial Drive) and South Park Avenue, Atlanta, Ga.
- Buried at the site of execution. Remains removed post war to the National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tenn., April 25, 1866. Buried near the Ohio Memorial, Section H, Grave No. 11,178.
- No Medal of Honor.
- Private George Davenport Wilson Pension Records – with transcription

"More than twelve years and three administrations have passed and Pvt. Shadrach and Pvt. Wilson remain unrecognized among their comrades with the MOH."

The U.S, Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

In HR 1583 of the 110th Congress under Title V, Subtitle F – Decorations and Awards are sections 564 and 565 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, whereby each states:

Sec. 564. Authorization and request for award of Medal of Honor to Private Philip G. Shadrach for acts of valor as one of Andrews' Raiders during the Civil War.
Sec. 565. Authorization and request for award of Medal of Honor to Private George D. Wilson for acts of valor as one of Andrews' Raiders during the Civil War.

This bill was vetoed but resurrected identically (for purposes of this writing) as HR 4986. On January 22, 2008, final Congressional action was taken and the bill sent to the President for authorization. On January 28, 2008 President George W. Bush signed the bill into law.

Under HR 4986, Subtitle F of Title V, entitled Decorations and Awards:

Sec. 561. Authorizes and requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to Private Philip G. Shadrach and Private George D. Wilson for acts of valor during the Civil War.

Through this legislation, Congress intended to rectify the historical oversight that deprived these two Union soldiers of their nation's highest honor. The legislation is brief. It does not convey the action behind enemy lines of these two soldiers. Through this website it is hoped that their story can be told, and this historic oversight rectified with these men placed on the same footing in recognition along with their comrades. A day-by-day story account of the Andrews Raid: The Story of Andrews Raid - Great Locomotive Chase.

Department Of Defense And Presidential Letter Submittals

Medal of Honor (MOH) Request on Behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry (Case No. DX221027) dated June 18, 2024 submitted to President Joseph R. Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. Letter contains five MOH request letters sent electronically in March 2024. Prepared by R. Shadrach: Medal of Honor Request to Pres. Biden SecDef Austin

Medal of Honor Request letter on behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson Case No. DX221027 AND, Presidential Medal of Freedom Request on behalf of James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell, U.S. Civilians dated May 17, 2023 to President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III.
Prepared by R. Shadrach: MOH Biden letter Andrews Campbell, May 17, 2023

Medal of Honor Request - Andrews Raiders Case No. DX221027 on behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson - letter dated March 1, 2023 and submitted to Secretary of Army Ms. Christine Wormouth and Major General Thomas Drew, Commanding at Ft. Knox.
Prepared by R. Shadrach: Medal of Honor Request Sec Army Pres Biden Combined

The Andrews Raid Medal of Honor (MOH) Request and Investigation Request on behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson, 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry dated June 28, 2022 and submitted to the consideration of President Biden and action by Mr. Sean O’Donnell acting DOD Inspector General.
Prepared by R. Shadrach: Medal of Honor Investigation Request to POTUS and DODIG, June 28, 2022

Medal of Honor Request on behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry dated March 17, 2021, summary status letter submitted to President Biden requesting to correct the MOH oversight.
Prepared by R. Shadrach: MOH Request to President Biden, March 17, 2021

Medal of Honor Request – Compendium Document and cover letter prepared in accordance with DoDM 1348.33-V1 for Preparation of Medal of Honor Recommendations. The MOH request, dated February 15, 2016, was submitted to General Mark A. Milley, U.S. Army Chief of Staff and the Department of Defense on behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson. The Compendium Document includes an April 2, 2019 Preface and Addendum A Materials.
Prepared by R. Shadrach: MOH Request to DOD, February 15, 2016

Medal of Honor Request Addendum A – Summary and Additional Information to the Compendium Document above submitted to the Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning and the DOD dated April 2, 2019, RE: Posthumous Award of the Medal of Honor to Private Wilson and Private Shadrach (9 pages).
Prepared by R. Shadrach: Addendum A Details

ADDENDUM A - Overview

INFORMATION UPDATE TO THE MOH REQUEST COMPENDIUM

The following is an overview of Addendum A and additional information discovered since the February 15, 2016 MOH Compendium submittal to the DOD.

ACTION MEMO dated May 31, 2006 – [FOR]: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (Donald Rumsfeld). Provided to R. Shadrach via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Paul V. DeAgostino, Senior Counsel Department of Army (DOA) letter dated December 18, 2018. Includes three (3) page ACTION MEMO: Action Memo-Private Philip G. Shadrach.
ACTION MEMO SUMMARY Secretary of the Army (SecArm) Francis L. Harvey recommends, in coordination with the Chairman, Joints Chiefs of Staff that Private Philip G. Shadrach be awarded the Medal of Honor.
1. U.S. Army Human Resources Command letter received by Ron Shadrach in response to a FOIA request releasing the above three (3) page Action Memo: Action Memo-FA-18-0107 Army FOIA Response 18DEC2018.
Letter to Eric Fanning, Secretary of the Army - RE: Posthumous Award of the Medal of Honor to Private Wilson and Private Shadrach, 2nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry, dated December 15, 2016. Nine (9) page Addendum A summary of key findings supporting Private Shadrach & Private Wilson for the Medal of Honor (Prepared by Ron Shadrach): MOH Request Summary to SecArm and DOD.
1. FOIA Response letter from DOA, Awards and Decoration Branch, LTC R. Arron Lummer letter dated January 4, 2017: FOIA response from LTC Lummer 01042017.
USARMY Human Resources Command (AHRC) Email Exhibit (redacted): dated February 3, 2016. This email confirms that Private Philip G. Shadrach and Private George D. Wilson are recommended as approval for the Medal of Honor to Secretary of Defense (SecDef) Ash Carter (Source: Frank White through a FOIA Records Request): Email 02032016 CTR USARMY HRC.1.
AHRC EMAIL EXHIBIT SUMMARY
1. Private Shadrach and Private Wilson approved for the Medal of Honor by the Senior Awards and Decorations Branch (SADB) through the Awards and Decorations Branch (ADB).
2. The SADB recommendation of award approval forwarded to the SecDef by the SecArm for award by the President.
3. However, the email indicates that the SecDef (Ash Carter) sent back the recommendation to the AHRC without explanation.

Per the letter in item 2.i. above from LTC R. Arron Lummer, Chief, Awards and Decorations Branch, this appears to be a highly unusual course of action for a Medal of Honor case. Per LTC Lummer’s letter dated January 4, 2017: "once a decision is rendered, the appropriate involved parties will be notified as expeditiously as possible." If this cannot be resolved, the DoD-IG should be requested to independently investigate the matter and provide an open report of the findings.”

The petitioning parties on behalf of Private Shadrach and Private Wilson have not received notification of a decision in this Medal of Honor case of any kind to date.

CURRENT STATUS OF MEDAL OF HONOR

Civilians James Andrews and William Campbell Status for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Department of Army letter, Awards and Decoration Branch August 10, 2023 Presidential Medal of Freedom Request for James Andrews and William Campbell.

The Andrews Raid, The First Medal Of Honor, And Observance Of Medal Of Honor Day

Articles by R. Shadrach:

Historic Documents:

Deposition of the Andrews Raiders for Secretary of War Stanton – March 24, 1863
Southern Confederacy Newspaper Article
Transportation Record of 22 Bridge Burners and Engine Thieves
War Department Records for Private Shadrach
Private Charles P. (Perry) Shadrack Pension Records – partial records with transcription.
Complete Shadrack correspondence record of Perry’s sister attempting to obtain the back pay and commutation of rations while in the Confederate prison and due Private Shadrack until the date of his execution. Fourteen family letters and associated correspondence from 1881 till 1906. Denied. Pension Records
Private George Davenport Wilson Pension Records – with transcription
Record of Provost Marshall, Atlanta, December 18, 1865 and the Governor of Ohio January 6, 1866.

Pictures (click to enlarge/view)

Shadrach in Chains with other Raiders

Shadrach and Wilson on the Gallows

From the Judge Advocate General’s Report, Wilson's Final Testimony from the Gallows¹...

Among those who thus perished was Private Geo. D. Wilson, Company C, 21st Ohio Volunteers. He was a mechanic from Cincinnati, who, in the exercise of his trade, had travelled much through the States North and South, and who had a greatness of soul which sympathized intensely with our struggle for national life, and was in that dark hour filled with joyous convictions of our final triumph. Though surrounded by a scowling crowd, impatient for his sacrifice, he did not hesitate, while standing under the gallows, to make them a brief address. He told them that, though they were all wrong, he had no hostile feelings toward the Southern people, believing that not they but their leaders were responsible for the Rebellion; that he was no spy, as charged, but a soldier regularly detailed for military duty; that he did not regret to die for his country, but only regretted the manner of his death; and he added, for their admonition, that they would yet see the time when the old Union would be restored, and when its flag would wave over them again. And with these words the brave man died. He, like his comrades, calmly met the ignominious doom of a felon—but, happily, ignominious for him and for them only so far as the martyrdom of the patriot and the hero can be degraded by the hands of ruffians and traitors.
¹ Printed in the Southern Confederacy Newspaper, Atlanta, June 1862 following execution.

The Department of Defense Medal of Honor Process

Contact address to Advocate on behalf of Pvt. Shadrach and Pvt. Wilson

Example letter request

Senior Defense Officials' Mailing Addresses