Patrick H. Pentzer (1839 – October 16, 1901) was an American soldier who fought with the Union Army 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 ...

. Pentzer 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 ...

, for actions taken on April 9, 1865, during the

Battle of Fort Blakeley The Battle of Fort Blakeley took place from April 2 to April 9, 1865, in Baldwin County, Alabama, about north of Spanish Fort, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the American Civil War. At the time, Blakeley, Alabama, had been the count ...

Biography

Pentzer was born in 1839 in

Marion County, Missouri Marion County is a county located in the northeastern portion of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,525. Its county seat is Palmyra. Unique from most third-class counties in the state, Marion has two county courthouses, t ...

, but lived most of his life in Illinois. During the Civil War, Pentzel enlisted at Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois. He initially served as a private in Company H of the 9th Illinois Infantry, then re-enlisted as sergeant-major of the 97th Illinois Infantry Regiment where he served three years. On February 14, 1863, he was promoted to a Captain the 97th regiment. During the

, Pentzel captured the enemy colors and surrender of Confederate General

Francis Cockrell Francis Marion Cockrell (October 1, 1834December 13, 1915) was a Confederate States Army, Confederate military commander and American politician from the state of Missouri. He served as a United States senator from Missouri for five terms. He ...

which earned him the

Medal of Honor citation

Personal life

Pentzer married his wife, Mary, on June 19, 1870. He died on October 16, 1901, and was interred in Springfield National Cemetery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pentzer, Patrick 1839 births 1901 deaths American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor People from Marion County, Missouri People of Illinois in the American Civil War Burials at Springfield National Cemetery United States Army Medal of Honor recipients