William Henry Powell (soldier), Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetWilliam Henry Powell (soldier)
Medal of Honor recipient
Date of Birth: 10-May-1825
Place of Birth: Pontypool, Wales, United Kingdom
Date of Death: 20-Jul-1909
Zodiac Sign: Taurus 
About William Henry Powell (soldier)
- William Henry Powell (May 10, 1825 – December 26, 1904) was an American soldier who fought for the Union in the American Civil War.
- He was a leader in the iron and nail business before the war, and his leadership abilities proved useful in the military.
- Powell began as a captain, and quickly ascended to higher roles in the cavalry, including commanding a regiment, a brigade, and then a division.
- Powell was awarded his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for heroism at Sinking Creek, Virginia, when, as leader of a group of 22 men, he captured an enemy camp and took over 100 prisoners.
- This was accomplished without the loss of any of his men on November 26, 1862.
- He was honored with the award on July 22, 1890. In July 1863, Powell was shot while leading cavalry in Wytheville, Virginia.
- Although surgeons on both sides of the conflict believed his wound was fatal, Powell survived—and became a prisoner of war.
- He was later exchanged, and returned to his command of the 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment.
- In 1864, Powell commanded brigades while fighting mostly in the Shenandoah Valley under the direct supervision of General William W.
- Averell in an army commanded by General Philip Sheridan.
- Eventually, Powell replaced Averell as division commander.
- Powell led cavalry in numerous battles, including Moorefield, Opequon, and Fisher's Hill.
- He resigned as a brigadier general in January 1865 to tend to family health issues.
- He was later brevetted to major general.
- Powell returned to his original profession working in the iron making industry, and was active in the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization of Union veterans of the American Civil War. In a letter sent to headquarters in 1864, General George Crook said "Colonel Powell has served with me often since the commencement of the war.
- He has distinguished himself in every battle he was engaged in under me.
- He has been recommended by me on several occasions, for promotion.
- I regard him as one of the best cavalry officers I have ever seen in the service."
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