Abner P. Allen

Abner P. Allen (October 9, 1839 – August 22, 1905) was an American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.

Abner P. Allen
Abner P. Allen, Medal of Honor recipient
Born(1839-10-09)October 9, 1839
Woodford County, Illinois
DiedAugust 22, 1905(1905-08-22) (aged 65)
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service1864 - 1865
Rank Corporal
Unit 39th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Allen was born in Woodford County, Illinois. He joined the 39th Illinois infantry Regiment from Bloomington, Illinois, in January 1864, and mustered out with his regiment on December 6, 1865.[1]

By the time the 39th was involved in the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, Allen was a corporal in Company K. When the regiment (as part of the XXIV Corps under Major General John Gibbon) was assaulting Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865, under heavy fire, he was at the front as a color bearer.

At the surrender ceremony at Appomattox Courthouse a week later, Allen was given the honor of carrying Illinois' flag. He later traveled to Washington, D.C. with General Gibbon and 76 captured Confederate colors. He received his medal there from Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.

Allen died in 1905 and is buried in Centerburg Cemetery, Centerburg, Ohio.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, Company K, 39th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865. Entered service at: Bloomington, Ill. Birth: Woodford County, Ill. Date of issue: May 12, 1865.

Citation:

Gallantry as color bearer in the assault on Fort Gregg.[2]

See also

References
  1. Illinois Service Record
  2. "Civil War (A-L), Allen, Abner P. entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
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