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{{Infobox Military Person
{{Infobox
|name= Louis Capet Shepard
|name= Louis Capet Shepard
|born= {{Birth date|1841|9|2}}
|= {{Birth date|1841|9|2}}
|died= {{Death date and age|1919|4|27|1841|9|2}}
|= {{Death date and age|1919|4|27|1841|9|2}}
|placeofbirth={{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Ashtabula, Ohio]]
|= [[Ashtabula, Ohio]]
|placeofdeath={{flagicon|Ohio}} [[Danbury Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Danbury, Ohio]]
|= [[Danbury Township, Ohio|Danbury, Ohio]]
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|image= [[Image:Louis Shepard, MOH (framed).jpg|200px|Louis Shepard]]
|image= Louis Shepard, MOH (framed).jpg
|caption=Ordinary Seaman Louis C. Shepard
|caption=Ordinary Seaman Louis C. Shepard
|nickname=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{flagicon|USA}} [[United States|United States of America]]
|allegiance={{flagicon|USA}} [[United States|United States of America]]
|branch={{nowrap|[[Image:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|30px|United States Army Seal]] [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]}}<br/>{{nowrap|[[Image:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|30px|United States Navy Seal]] [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]}}
|branch={{nowrap|[[:.|30px]] [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]}}<br/>{{nowrap|[[:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|30px|United States Navy Seal]] [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]}}
|serviceyears= 1860&ndash;1865
|serviceyears= &ndash;1865
|rank=[[Ordinary Seaman (occupation)|Ordinary Seaman]]
|rank=[[Ordinary Seaman (occupation)|Ordinary Seaman]]
|commands=
|commands=
|unit= [[19th Ohio Infantry|Co. I 19th Ohio Infantry]]<br/>[[11th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery|11th Indpt. Batt'y, N.Y. Light Art'y]]<br/>{{USS|Allegheny|1847}}<br/>{{USS|Wabash|1855}}<br/>{{USS|Commodore Perry|1859}}<br/>{{USS|Constellation|1854}}
|unit= [[USS Wabash (1855)|USS Wabash]]
|battles=[[American Civil War]]
|battles=[[American Civil War]]
*[[Battle of Rich Mountain]]
*[[Second Battle of Bull Run]]
*Also known as
*[[Second Manassas]]
*[[Battle of Chancellorsville|Chancellorsville]]
*[[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]]
*[[Battle of Mine Run]]
*[[Second Battle of Fort Fisher]]
*[[Second Battle of Fort Fisher]]
|awards= [[Image:Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|60px]] - [[Medal of Honor]]
|awards= [[:Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|60px]] - [[Medal of Honor]]
|laterwork=
|laterwork=
}}
}}
'''Lewis Capet Shepard''' ([[September 2]], [[1841]] &ndash; [[April 27]], [[1919]]) was born in [[Ashtabula County, Ohio]] and was a [[Union Navy]] sailor during the [[American Civil War]] who received America's highest military decoration the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions at the [[Second Battle of Fort Fisher]]. Due to a Navy clerical error however his citation and history will always record his first name as ''' Louis'''<ref>For factual [[Medal of Honor]] history sake this page is named Louis C. Shepard for it is under this name due to a Navy clerical error that the MOH was Awarded.</ref><ref>A Quick search of {{findagrave|5015784}} will produce the grave of Mr. Shepard and his wife Velma and one can clearly see the family headstone contradicts the Government headstone.</ref><ref>The original submitter of this page is in possession of the death certificates of Lewis Capet, Velma Eudora and their son Osmer Lewis Shepard.</ref>
'''Lewis Capet Shepard''' (September 2, 1841 &ndash; April 27, 1919) was a [[Union Navy]] sailor during the [[American Civil War]] who received America's highest military decoration the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions at the [[Second Battle of Fort Fisher]]. Due to a Navy clerical error however his citation and history will always record his first name as ''' Louis'''<ref>For factual [[Medal of Honor]] history sake this page is named Louis C. Shepard for it is under this name due to a Navy clerical error that the MOH was Awarded.</ref><ref>A Quick search of {{|5015784}} will produce the grave of Mr. Shepard and his wife Velma and one can clearly see the family headstone contradicts the Government headstone.</ref><ref>The original submitter of this page is in possession of the death certificates of Lewis Capet, Velma Eudora and their son Osmer Lewis Shepard.</ref>


==Biography==
====
Shepard enlisted as a private in Company I, of the [[19th Ohio Infantry]], mustering in on the 27th of April 1861 for a term of three months. During that time he participated in the [[battle of Rich Mountain]] in [[Randolph County, West Virginia|Randolph County, Virginia]] [[West Virginia|(now West Virginia)]]. This first major land battle of the civil war and Union victory propelled [[George B. McClellan|General George B. McClellan]] to command of the [[Army of the Potomac]]. According to Shepards 19th OVI muster card he spent three days on extra duty setting telegraph poles, mustering out of this unit 30 Aug 1861.
Shepard enlisted as a private in Company I, of the [[19th Ohio Infantry]], mustering in on 1861 for a term of three months. During that time he participated in the [[ of Rich Mountain]] in [[Randolph County, West Virginia|Randolph County, Virginia]] [[West Virginia|(now West Virginia)]]. This first major land battle of the civil war and Union victory propelled [[George B. McClellan|General George B. McClellan]] to command of the [[Army of the Potomac]]. According to Shepards 19th OVI muster card he spent three days on extra duty setting telegraph poles, mustering out of this unit 1861.


He reenlisted in the [[11th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery]] on the 18th of Sep 1861 for a period of three years. On Aug 26 1862 he was captured with 19 other soldiers from the 11th IBNYA at the [[Second Battle of Bull Run]] also known as [[Second Manassas]]. During Oct and Nov 1862 he is listed with the [[7th Detachment, 2nd Battalion, Paroled Prisoners]], at [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], [[Maryland]]. After returning to the 11th IBNYA in Dec 1862 he was promoted to Corporal on the 2nd of Jan 1863. Corporal Shepards unit was transferred to the Reserve Artillery and attached temporarily to [[Battery K, 1st New York Light Artillery]], Shepard also saw action at [[Battle of Chancellorsville|Chancellorsville]], [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]] and the [[Battle of Mine Run]].
He reenlisted in the [[11th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery]] on 1861 for a period of three years. On 26 1862 he was captured with 19 other soldiers from the 11th IBNYA at the [[Second Battle of Bull Run]] also known as [[Second Manassas]]. During and 1862 he is listed with the [[7th Detachment, 2nd Battalion, Paroled Prisoners]], at [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], [[Maryland]]. After returning to the 11th IBNYA in 1862 he was promoted to Corporal on 1863. Corporal unit was transferred to the Reserve Artillery and attached temporarily to [[Battery K, 1st New York Light Artillery]] Shepard also saw action at [[Battle of Chancellorsville|Chancellorsville]], [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]] and the [[Battle of Mine Run]].


Corporal Shepard was discharged on the 7th and reenlisted on the 8th of Feb 1864 in the 11th IBNYA at Brandy Station, Va. as a veteran volunteer under General Order 191 signed June 25 1863. He was again discharged on the 23 of April 1864 after petitioning the Army for a transfer to the Navy under General Order 91 of 1864.
Corporal Shepard was discharged on the 7th and reenlisted on 1864 in the 11th IBNYA at Brandy Station, Va. as a veteran volunteer under General Order 191 signed June 25 1863. He was again discharged on 23 1864 after petitioning the Army for a transfer to the Navy under General Order 91 of 1864.


==Navy Service==
Enlisting in the [[U.S. Navy]] on the 25th of Apr 1864 at [[Baltimore, Maryland]]. as an ordinary seaman he served aboard the [[USS Allegheny (1847)|USS ''Allegheny'']], [[USS Wabash (1855)|USS ''Wabash'']], [[USS Commodore Perry (1859)|USS ''Commodore Perry'']] and the [[USS Constellation (1854)|USS ''Constellation'']].
Enlisting in the [[ Navy]] on 1864 at [[Baltimore, Maryland]] as an ordinary seaman he served aboard the USSAllegheny1847, USSWabash1855, USSCommodore Perry1859 and the USSConstellation1854.


During his service aboard the [[USS Wabash (1855)|USS ''Wabash'']], he participated in the landing party that assaulted [[Fort Fisher]] in [[North Carolina]] in January 1865. He advanced gallantly through severe enemy fire, while armed only with a [[revolver]] and [[cutlass]], which made it impossible to return the fire at that range. Shepard succeeded in not only reaching the angle of the fort, but in being one of the few to enter it. When the rest of the men to his rear were forced to retreat due to devastating fire, Shepard was forced to withdraw and seek the shelter of one of the mounds near the stockade. Shepard then succeeded in regaining the safety of his ship.
During his service aboard the USSWabash1855, he participated in the landing party that assaulted [[Fort Fisher]] in [[North Carolina]] in January 1865. He advanced gallantly through severe enemy fire, while armed only with a [[revolver]] and [[cutlass]], which made it impossible to return the fire at that range. Shepard succeeded in not only reaching the angle of the fort, but in being one of the few to enter it. When the rest of the men to his rear were forced to retreat due to devastating fire, Shepard was forced to withdraw and seek the shelter of one of the mounds near the stockade. Shepard then succeeded in regaining the safety of his ship.


Shepard was just 23 years old at the time. After the fall of Fort Fisher, the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate army]] evacuated its remaining forts in the [[Cape Fear]] area, and Union forces soon overtook [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]. Once Wilmington fell, the supply line of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] was severed, and the war soon ended.
Shepard was just 23 years old at the time. After the fall of Fort Fisher, the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate army]] evacuated its remaining forts in the [[Cape Fear]] area, and Union forces soon overtook [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]. Once Wilmington fell, the supply line of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] was severed, and the war soon ended.


He was later presented with the Medal of Honor in recognition of his service. Due to a Navy clerical error, his citation reads Louis; however his name was spelled Lewis. Shepard died in [[Danbury Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Danbury, Ohio]], and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in [[Port Clinton, Ohio]].
He was later presented with the Medal of Honor in recognition of his service. Due to a Navy clerical error, his citation reads Louis; however his name was spelled Lewis. Shepard died in [[Danbury Township, Ohio|Danbury, Ohio]], and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in [[Port Clinton, Ohio]].


In April 2005, Ohio Congressman [[Steven C. LaTourette]], representing the district that contains Shepard's native Ashtabula, passed a resolution in the House honoring Shephard. The flag that was flown over the [[United States Capitol]] on [[April 27]], [[2005]], was unveiled on Memorial Day 2005 during the dedication ceremony for the new Ashtabula County Veterans Memorial. [[Veterans of Foreign Wars|VFW]] Post 3334 in Jefferson was instrumental on behalf of the new memorial, and for choosing to honor the valor of Louis C. Shepard.
In April 2005, Ohio Congressman [[Steven C. LaTourette]], representing the district that contains Shepard's native Ashtabula, passed a resolution in the House honoring Shephard. The flag that was flown over the [[United States Capitol]] on April 27, 2005, was unveiled on Memorial Day 2005 during the dedication ceremony for the new Ashtabula County Veterans Memorial. [[Veterans of Foreign Wars|VFW]] Post 3334 in Jefferson was instrumental on behalf of the new memorial, and for choosing to honor the valor of Louis C. Shepard.


==Medal of Honor citation==
==Medal of Honor citation==
[[Image:NavyMOH 1862-1912.jpg|80px|left|]]
[[: 1862.|80px|left|]]
'''Rank and Organization:'''
'''Rank and Organization:'''
:Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1843, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio. G.O. No.: 59, 22 June 1865.
:Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1843, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio. G.O. No.: 59, June 1865.


'''Citation:'''
'''Citation:'''
:Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Wabash in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Advancing gallantly through severe enemy fire while armed only with a revolver and cutlass which made it impossible to return the fire at that range, Shepard succeeded in reaching the angle of the fort and in going on, to be one of the few who entered the fort. When the rest of the body of men to his rear were forced to retreat under a devastating fire, he was forced to withdraw through lack of support and to seek the shelter of one of the mounds near the stockade from which point he succeeded in regaining the safety of his ship.<ref name=AMOHW1>
Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Wabash in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Advancing gallantly through severe enemy fire while armed only with a revolver and cutlass which made it impossible to return the fire at that range, Shepard succeeded in reaching the angle of the fort and in going on, to be one of the few who entered the fort. When the rest of the body of men to his rear were forced to retreat under a devastating fire, he was forced to withdraw through lack of support and to seek the shelter of one of the mounds near the stockade from which point he succeeded in regaining the safety of his ship.<ref name=AMOHW1>
{{cite web
{{ web
|publisher = AmericanCivilWar.com
|publisher = AmericanCivilWar.com
|title = "Civil War Medal of Honor Citations" (S-Z): Shepard, Louis C.
|title = Civil War Medal of Honor (S-Z): Shepard, Louis C.
|date =
|date =
|url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor8.html
|url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor8.html
|accessdate = 2007-11-09}}</ref><ref name=AMOHW2>
| = 2007-11-09}}</ref><ref name=AMOHW2>
{{cite web
{{ web
|publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]
⚫
|publisher = army.mil
|title = "Medal of Honor website” (M-Z): Shepard, Louis C.
|title=Medal of Honor (M-Z): Shepard, Louis C.
⚫
|url=http://www.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html
⚫
|date =
|access-date=2007-11-09
⚫
|url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwarmz.html
|url-status=dead
|accessdate = 2007-11-09}}</ref>
⚫
|url=http://www.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html
⚫
{{clear}}
|archive-date=2009-02-23
⚫
}}</ref>
⚫
{{clear}}


==Medal of Honor Legion==
==Medal of Honor Legion==
[[Image:MOHL-1-.jpg|right|thumb|Medal of Honor Legion certificate]]
[[:MOHL-1-.jpg|right|thumb|Medal of Honor Legion certificate]]
No. 105
No. 105


Line 74: Line 86:


[[Nelson A. Miles]]<ref name=AMOHW3>
[[Nelson A. Miles]]<ref name=AMOHW3>
{{cite web
{{ web
|publisher = AmericanCivilWar.com
|publisher = AmericanCivilWar.com
|title = "Civil War Medal of Honor Citations" (S-Z): Miles, Nelson A.
|title = "Civil War Medal of Honor " (S-Z): Miles, Nelson A.
|date =
|date =
|url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor6.html
|url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor6.html
|accessdate = 2007-11-09}}</ref><ref name=AMOHW4>
| = 2007-11-09}}</ref><ref name=AMOHW4>
{{cite web
{{ web
|publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]
|publisher = army.mil
|title = "Medal of Honor website” (M-Z): Miles, Nelson A.
|title=Medal of Honor (M-Z): Miles, Nelson A.
⚫
|url=http://www.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html
|date =
|access-date=2007-11-09
⚫
|url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwarmz.html
|url-status=dead
⚫
|accessdate = 2007-11-09}}</ref> Commander
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223063700/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html
|archive-date=2009-02-23
⚫
}}</ref> Commander


[[John Tweedale]]<ref name=AMOHW5>
[[John Tweedale]]<ref name=AMOHW5>
{{cite web
{{ web
|publisher = AmericanCivilWar.com
|publisher = AmericanCivilWar.com
|title = "Civil War Medal of Honor Citations" (S-Z): Tweedale, John
|title = Civil War Medal of Honor (S-Z): Tweedale, John
|date =
|date =
|url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor8.html
|url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor8.html
|accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref><ref name=AMOHW6>
| = 2007-11-29}}</ref><ref name=AMOHW6>
{{cite web
{{ web
|publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]
|publisher = army.mil
|title = "Medal of Honor website” (M-Z): Tweedale, John
|title=Medal of Honor (M-Z): Tweedale, John
⚫
|url=http://www.history..mil///.
|date =
|access-date=2007-11-29
⚫
|url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwarmz.html
|url-status=dead
|accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref> Adjutant
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223063700/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html
|archive-date=2009-02-23
}}</ref> Adjutant


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
{{|American Civil War}}
{{portal|United States Navy|United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg}}
⚫
{{portal|American Civil War}}
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients]]
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients]]
*[[List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M-Z#S|List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M-Z]]
*[[List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: #S|List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: ]]
*[[List of military decorations #United States|List of U.S. military decorations]]
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{|2}}


==References==
==References==
:{{NHC}}
:{{NHC}}
*{{cite web
*{{
|publisher = Naval Historical Center
|publisher =
|title = US People - Shepard, Louis C.
|title =
|work = Online Library
| = Online Library
|year = 1897
|date = [[2004-12-16]]
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=F80TAAAAYAAJ&q=%22lewis+c+shepard%22&pg=PA731
⚫
|url = http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-s/l-sheprd.htm
|accessdate = 2007-05-10}}
| = --}}
*{{cite web
*{{ web
|publisher = [[Naval History & Heritage Command]]
⚫
|title =Louis C. Shepard, Medal of Honor recipient
⚫
|= Shepard, Louis C.
⚫
|work =Home of Heroes
|work = Online Library
|publisher =
|date =
|date =
|url = http://www.homeofheroes.com/photos/1_civilwar/shepard_louis.html
|url = http://www../photos//.
|access-date = 2007-05-10}}
⚫
}}</ref>
*{{Cite web
⚫
|title =Louis C. Shepard, Medal of Honor recipient
⚫
|work =Home of Heroes
⚫
|publisher =
⚫
|date =
|url = http://www.homeofheroes.com/photos/1_civilwar/shepard_louis.html
⚫
}}


*{{findagrave|5015784}} Note '''''Lewis C. Shepard''''' on Family head stone and '''''Louis C. Shepard''''' on the Government head stone.
*{{|5015784}} Note '''''Lewis C. Shepard''''' on Family and '''''Louis C. Shepard''''' on the Government .
*[http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohashtab/war/cw/Lewis.pdf "Library of Congress"] Congressional Record—Extensions April 27, 2005 Comments by [[Ohio]] Congressman [[Steven C. LaTourette]]
*http://.//war/cw/Lewis.pdf "Library of Congress" Congressional Record—Extensions April 27, 2005 Comments by Ohio Congressman Steven C. LaTourette

{{Persondata
⚫
|NAME= Shepard, Louis C.
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= [[United States Navy]] [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
|DATE OF BIRTH=
|PLACE OF BIRTH=
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
⚫
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Shepard, Louis C.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shepard, Louis C.}}
[[Category:1841 births]]
[[Category:1841 births]]
[[Category:1919 deaths]]
[[Category:1919 deaths]]
[[Category:Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:Union Navy sailors]]
[[Category:Union Navy sailors]]
[[Category:People of Ohio in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of Ohio in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People from Ashtabula, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Ashtabula, Ohio]]
[[Category:American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor]]

Latest revision as of 17:58, 20 December 2023

Louis Capet Shepard
Ordinary Seaman Louis C. Shepard
Born(1841-09-02)September 2, 1841
Ashtabula, Ohio
DiedApril 27, 1919(1919-04-27) (aged 77)
Danbury, Ohio
Place of burial
Lakeview Cemetery,
Port Clinton, Ohio
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service / branch U.S. Army
United States Navy Seal U.S. Navy
Years of service1861–1865
RankPrivate
corporal
Ordinary Seaman
UnitCo. I 19th Ohio Infantry
11th Indpt. Batt'y, N.Y. Light Art'y
USS Allegheny (1847)
USS Wabash (1855)
USS Commodore Perry (1859)
USS Constellation (1854)
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
Awards - Medal of Honor

Lewis Capet Shepard (September 2, 1841 – April 27, 1919) was a Union Navy sailor during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher. Due to a Navy clerical error however his citation and history will always record his first name as Louis.[1][2][3]

Army Service

[edit]

Born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Shepard enlisted as a private in Company I, of the 19th Ohio Infantry, mustering in on April 27, 1861, for a term of three months. During that time he participated in the Battle of Rich Mountain in Randolph County, Virginia (now West Virginia). This first major land battle of the civil war and Union victory propelled General George B. McClellan to command of the Army of the Potomac. According to Shepards 19th OVI muster card he spent three days on extra duty setting telegraph poles, mustering out of this unit August 30, 1861.

He reenlisted in the 11th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery on September 18, 1861, for a period of three years. On August 26, 1862, he was captured with 19 other soldiers from the 11th IBNYA at the Second Battle of Bull Run also known as Second Manassas. During October and November 1862 he is listed with the 7th Detachment, 2nd Battalion, Paroled Prisoners, at Annapolis, Maryland. After returning to the 11th IBNYA in December 1862 he was promoted to Corporal on January 2, 1863. Corporal Shepard's unit was transferred to the Reserve Artillery and attached temporarily to Battery K, 1st New York Light Artillery. Shepard also saw action at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Battle of Mine Run.

Corporal Shepard was discharged on the 7th and reenlisted on February 8, 1864, in the 11th IBNYA at Brandy Station, Va. as a veteran volunteer under General Order 191 signed June 25, 1863. He was again discharged on April 23, 1864, after petitioning the Army for a transfer to the Navy under General Order 91 of 1864.

[edit]

Enlisting in the United States Navy on April 25, 1864, at Baltimore, Maryland as an ordinary seaman, he served aboard the USS Allegheny (1847), USS Wabash (1855), USS Commodore Perry (1859) and the USS Constellation (1854).

During his service aboard the USS Wabash (1855), he participated in the landing party that assaulted Fort Fisher in Wilmington, North Carolina in January 1865. He advanced gallantly through severe enemy fire, while armed only with a revolver and cutlass, which made it impossible to return the fire at that range. Shepard succeeded in not only reaching the angle of the fort, but in being one of the few to enter it. When the rest of the men to his rear were forced to retreat due to devastating fire, Shepard was forced to withdraw and seek the shelter of one of the mounds near the stockade. Shepard then succeeded in regaining the safety of his ship.

Shepard was just 23 years old at the time. After the fall of Fort Fisher, the Confederate army evacuated its remaining forts in the Cape Fear area, and Union forces soon overtook Wilmington. Once Wilmington fell, the supply line of the Confederacy was severed, and the war soon ended.

He was later presented with the Medal of Honor in recognition of his service. Due to a Navy clerical error, his citation reads Louis; however his name was spelled Lewis. Shepard died in Danbury, Ohio, and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Port Clinton, Ohio.

In April 2005, Ohio Congressman Steven C. LaTourette, representing the district that contains Shepard's native Ashtabula, passed a resolution in the House honoring Shephard. The flag that was flown over the United States Capitol on April 27, 2005, was unveiled on Memorial Day 2005 during the dedication ceremony for the new Ashtabula County Veterans Memorial. VFW Post 3334 in Jefferson was instrumental on behalf of the new memorial, and for choosing to honor the valor of Louis C. Shepard.

Medal of Honor citation

[edit]

Rank and Organization:

Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1843, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio. G.O. No.: 59, June 22, 1865.

Citation:

Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Wabash in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Advancing gallantly through severe enemy fire while armed only with a revolver and cutlass which made it impossible to return the fire at that range, Shepard succeeded in reaching the angle of the fort and in going on, to be one of the few who entered the fort. When the rest of the body of men to his rear were forced to retreat under a devastating fire, he was forced to withdraw through lack of support and to seek the shelter of one of the mounds near the stockade from which point he succeeded in regaining the safety of his ship.[4][5]

Medal of Honor Legion

[edit]
Medal of Honor Legion certificate

No. 105

In the Name and by the Authority of the Medal of Honor Legion of the United States.

To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting

Know ye that Louis C. Shepard having received a Medal of Honor for distinguished gallantry in action, in accordance with the Acts of Congress and having rendered faithful service in maintaining the honor, integrity and supremacy of the United States of America, was received as a companion of the First Class of the Medal of Honor Legion of the United States of America on the fourth day of October Anno Domine, eighteen hundred and ninety two

In Testimony Whereof the names of the Commander and Adjutant and the seal of the order are hereunto affixed. Given at Washington D.C. this ninth day of June in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and ninety seven

Nelson A. Miles[6][7] Commander

John Tweedale[8][9] Adjutant

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ For factual Medal of Honor history sake this page is named Louis C. Shepard for it is under this name due to a Navy clerical error that the MOH was Awarded.
  2. ^ A Quick search of "Louis C. Shepard". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 2, 2010. will produce the grave of Mr. Shepard and his wife Velma and one can clearly see the family headstone contradicts the Government headstone.
  3. ^ The original submitter of this page is in possession of the death certificates of Lewis Capet, Velma Eudora and their son Osmer Lewis Shepard.
  4. ^ "Civil War Medal of Honor citations (S-Z): Shepard, Louis C." AmericanCivilWar.com. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  5. ^ "Medal of Honor website (M-Z): Shepard, Louis C." United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  6. ^ ""Civil War Medal of Honor citations" (S-Z): Miles, Nelson A." AmericanCivilWar.com. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  7. ^ "Medal of Honor website (M-Z): Miles, Nelson A." United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  8. ^ "Civil War Medal of Honor citations (S-Z): Tweedale, John". AmericanCivilWar.com. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
  9. ^ "Medal of Honor website (M-Z): Tweedale, John". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2007-11-29.

References

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
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