Peter Kappesser
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| Peter Kappesser | |
|---|---|
| 1839 – 1930 | |
 Peter Kappesser |
|
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Company B, 149th New York Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Peter Kappesser was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Civil War.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Peter Kappesser enlisted on August 31, 1862 at the age of 24. He received the Medal of Honor by the Secretary of War for the capture of a Confederate flag from Walthall's Mississippi Brigade of the 34th Mississippi Infantry at The Battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee on November 24, 1863.
The Battle of Lookout Maintain was part of the Third Battle of Chattanooga. It was reported that Kappesser forcibly took the flag from a Confederate sergeant as the New York 149th rapidly advanced through the Confederate camps. The Confederate sergeant was summarily disarmed and passed to the rear as a prisoner. Some say the chilly November air prompted Private Kappesser to wear the flag like a poncho until he submitted it to his superiors after the fight.
After the war he was a member of the William Lilly Post of the GAR and served as its Quartermaster.
He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse, New York near the area reserved for the William Lilly GAR (Grand Army of the Republic)Post.
Historical Note: During the Civil War, the uniquely German immigrant Company B of the New York 149th, to which Kappesser was assigned, took part in the following battles and actions: Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, Resaca, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Pine Knob, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Savannah; and they were present at the battles of Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Averasboro, Bentonville and The Carolinas. In total they lost 133 dead and 353 wounded.
[edit] Obituary
Newspaper obituary in Syracuse, NY dated June 2, 1930: "Peter Kappesser, Holder of Medal of Honor, Dies After Operation". He died of appendicitis at age 91 on May 31,1930. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving Civil War veteran of the 149th Infantry, Co. B, in Syracuse. A native of Germany, he came to Syracuse at the age of 13.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 149th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Lookout Mountain, Tenn., 24 November 1863. Entered service at: Syracuse, N.Y. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 28 June 1865.
Citation:
- Capture of Confederate flag (Bragg's army).
