Lester Goodel Hack (January 18, 1844 – April 24, 1928) was an American soldier who fought in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

. Hack received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

. Hack's medal was won for his actions at the

Third Battle of Petersburg The Third Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Breakthrough at Petersburg or the Fall of Petersburg, was fought on April 2, 1865, south and southwest Virginia in the area of Petersburg, Virginia, at the end of the 292-day Richmond–Petersbur ...

in Virginia, where he captured the flag of the Confederate 23rd Tennessee Infantry on April 2, 1865. He was honored with the award on May 10, 1865.

Biography

Hack was born in

Bolton, New York Bolton is a town in Warren County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,117 at the 2000 census. Bolton is on the eastern border of the county. History The first settlement ...

. He joined the Army from

Salisbury, Vermont Salisbury is a town in Addison County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,221 at the 2020 census. History Salisbury was chartered on November 3, 1761, as one of the New Hampshire Grants issued by Benning Wentworth. The town may have b ...

on August 27, 1861 and mustered into federal service on September 16 as a Private in Company F. On December 15, 1863, he reenlisted and was promoted to Corporal. He was wounded on May 5, 1864 at the

Battle of the Wilderness The Battle of the Wilderness was fought on May 5–7, 1864, during the American Civil War. It was the first battle of Lieutenant general (United States), Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against General (C ...

. He returned to his company and on March 1, 1865, during the

Siege of Petersburg The Richmond–Petersburg campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War. Although it is more popularly known as the siege of Petersburg, it was not a c ...

, he was promoted to Sergeant. After the war, Hack mustered out in Vermont in June 1865 and returned to his native New York. At some time he married Emma J. Burt (1849–1911). He died at age 84 on April 24, 1928.

Medal of Honor citation

Notes

References

* * * * * * * * * * *

External links

Vermont National Guard Library and Museum

5th Vermont Infantry Portrait Gallery
* 1844 births 1928 deaths American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Union army soldiers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients {{AmericanCivilWar-bio-stub

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

See also

Notes

References

External links