John W. Blunt

John W. Blunt

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Quick Facts

Significance:

Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient

Place of Birth:

Columbia County, New York

Date of Birth:

May 18, 1840

Place of Death:

New York

Date of Death:

January 21, 1910

Place of Burial:

Chatham, New York

Cemetery Name:

Chatham Rural Cemetery

John W. Blunt joined the 6^th New York Cavalry as a sergeant in 1861. The Army commissioned him as an officer the next year. He was badly wounded in spring of 1864. While that injury did not prevent him from heroic conduct at the Battle of Cedar Creek, it permanently affected his life. He served until August 1865. Blunt got a partial disability pension. He declined an offer from the regular Army after the war due to his health.

Action at Cedar Creek

The Federal counterattack on October 19, 1864, brought Lt. Blunt to the banks of Cedar Creek around 5:30 pm. Confederates retreated as US cavalry chased them. Many Confederates had to rush across the Valley Turnpike bridge to reach safety near the Stickley Farm. Some Confederate infantry lined up on the Strasburg side of the bridge to defend themselves. Blunt and the 6^th New York Cavalry lined up on the Middletown side charged over the crossing.

The 6^th New York swept the infantry aside. They met up with other cavalrymen who had crossed at another spot. They kept chasing the Confederates towards Strasburg, where they captured many soldiers and supplies. Following the battle, Brig. Gen. Thomas Devin praised the 6^th New York for “dash[ing] across the bridge over Cedar Creek, under a heavy fire, charging and completely smashing the enemy's rear guard.”

Medal of Honor

Blunt received the Medal of Honor on June 1, 1908, long after the battle. His citation states that he “voluntarily led a charge across a narrow bridge over the creek, against the lines of the enemy.” That area is now preserved by the National Park Service as a part of the Historic Turnpike Crossing. 

Image Credit

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