Christian Fleetwood, Medal of Honer Recipient
Christian Abraham Fleetwood (July 21, 1840 - September 28, 1914), was an African-American non-commissioned officer in the US Army. He enlisted into the 4th Regiment Colored Infantry, Union Army, in 1863. Due to his educated background, he was given the rank of Sergeant upon enlistment and promoted to Sergeant Major days later. His regiment, assigned to the 3rd Division, saw service with the 10th, 18th, and 25th Army Corps in campaigns in North Carolina and Virginia, particularly on September 29, 1864 in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm. During the 4th Regiment's charge on the enemy fortifications, Fleetwood supervised the unit's left flank. Among the charging soldiers was Sergeant Hilton, the bearer of two flags. When Hilton himself was wounded, Fleetwood and another soldier, Charles Veale, each grabbed a flag from him before the colors could touch the ground. He continued forward under heavy fire until it became clear that the unit could not penetrate the enemy defenses. Retreating back to the reserve line, he used the flag to rally a small group of men and continue the fight. For their actions during the battle, Fleetwood, Hilton, and Veale were each issued the Medal of Honor. He died suddenly of heart failure in 1914, at the age of 74. No photographer credited, 1900.
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