Henry Capehart

Henry Capehart (March 18, 1825 – April 15, 1895) was a surgeon and officer in the U.S. Cavalry during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for saving the life of a drowning soldier while under fire at Greenbrier River, West Virginia, on May 22, 1864.

Henry Capehart
Henry Capehart
Born(1825-03-18)March 18, 1825
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
DiedApril 15, 1895(1895-04-15) (aged 70)
Fargo, North Dakota
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1861 – 1865
Rank Colonel
Brevet Major General
Commands held 1st Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Early life

Born on March 18, 1825, near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Capehart attended high school in Pittsburgh. He had a younger brother, Charles E. Capehart, whom he helped raise after their mother's early death. Upon graduating from Jefferson College (now known as Washington & Jefferson College), he moved to Waynesburg in 1847 to continue his medical education and then started a practice in Bridgeport, Ohio, after earning his license in 1849.[1]

Military service

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Capehart left his medical practice in Bridgeport and volunteered for the Union Army. He was appointed regimental surgeon of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry on September 18, 1861. In the latter half of 1863, he participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, and Mine Run. Upon the recommendations of General Judson Kilpatrick and others, Capehart was made colonel and succeeded Nathaniel P. Richmond, who resigned due to health issues, as commander of the regiment on February 22, 1864.[1]

Beginning in May 1864, Capehart and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry took part in campaigns along the Shenandoah Valley. On May 22, while fording the Greenbrier River under Confederate fire, Private Watson Karr was swept off his horse and down the fast-moving stream. Capehart attempted to catch the soldier as he swept by, but was pulled off his horse as well. Both men were carried down the river and over a waterfall; Capehart then grabbed Karr and pulled him from the water.[1] It was for this action that Capehart was awarded the Medal of Honor decades later, on February 12, 1895. His official citation reads simply: "Saved, under fire, the life of a drowning soldier."[2]

Capehart was assigned command of a cavalry brigade in the Union Army of the Shenandoah and upon recommendation of General George Armstrong Custer was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General on March 13, 1865. Capehart's brigade was transferred to Custer's division, participating with it in the Appomattox Campaign. Following the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, Capehart was promoted to Brevet Major General on June 17, 1865. He mustered out of service on July 8, 1865 at Wheeling, West Virginia.

His brother, Major Charles E. Capehart was also awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in the Civil War.

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See also

References
  1. Eriksmoen, Curtis (July 11, 2010). "Fargo doctor succeeded Custer in Civil War". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Fargo, North Dakota. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010.
  2. "Medal of Honor recipients - Civil War (A-L)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 6, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
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