John S. Kountz

John S. Kountz (March 25, 1846 – June 14, 1909) was a soldier in the United States Army during the American Civil War. He received a Medal of Honor.

John S. Kountz
John S. Kountz
Born(1846-03-25)March 25, 1846
Richfield, Ohio
DiedJune 14, 1909(1909-06-14) (aged 63)
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Union Army
Years of service1861 - 1864
RankMusician
Unit37th Ohio Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Kountz was born March 25, 1846 in Richfield, Ohio. He attended school in Maumee, Ohio, until the age of fourteen, and in September 1861 enlisted as a drummer boy in the 37th Ohio Infantry. At the Battle of Missionary Ridge, when the drum corps was ordered to the rear, he threw away his drum, seized a musket, and was severely wounded in the first assault, being left in the field under the enemy's guns until he was rescued by his company. This episode was the subject of a poem by Kate B. Sherwood, entitled "The Drummer-Boy of Mission Ridge", which attained a wide reputation. He remained at a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky until he was honorably discharged from the service on April 25, 1864.

On his return to civil life he attended school for one year, after which he was treasurer of Lucas County, Ohio, 1872–1874, and county recorder 1875-1878. He was connected with the Grand Army of the Republic since its organization in 1866, and was elected 13th Commander-in-Chief on July 25, 1884. In the presidential contest that occurred during his official term, he issued an order to bar politics from this organization. He later became president of the Toledo Fire Underwriters' Association.

See also

References
  • Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1892). "Kountz, John S." . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.
  • "John S. Kountz". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved May 30, 2010.

Attribution

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Robert Burns Beath    		 Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic
    1884 – 1885    		 Succeeded by
    Samuel Swinfin Burdett
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