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Program
NYS Historic
Subject
Event, People
Location
214 N Main St, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472, USA
Lat/Long
42.961622, -77.590107
Grant Recipient
Abraham Lincoln Camp #6, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Historic Marker

CHARLES A. GOHEEN

 

Inscription

CHARLES A. GOHEEN
1ST SGT. CO. G, 8TH NY CAVALRY
AWARDED MEDAL OF HONOR
FOR CAPTURE OF FLAG
AT BATTLE OF WAYNESBORO, VA
MARCH 2,1865. INTERRED HERE.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2021

The final resting place of Civil War Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient Charles A. Goheen is found in the village of Honeoye Falls, NY.  During the war Goheen was a First Sergeant in Company G. of the 8th New York Calvary. On the morning of March 2, 1865, Union Forces encountered Confederate General Jubal Early and his men at Waynesboro, Virginia and a battle quickly ensued. During the chaos and confusion, Goheen was one of several men who captured an enemy flag during the battle.

For this action he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  A March 21, 1865 edition of The Evening Star described the award ceremony at the War Department in Washington D.C. Secretary of Defense Edwin Stanton gave the following remarks:

In the name of the President and of the people of the United States, it is my pleasant duty to return you thanks for the gallantry and courage that have, from the commencement, been displayed by yourselves and the command to which you are attached. This I believe is the fourth time that have had the pleasure of receiving flags taken in battle by General Sheridan’s command; and on no occasion has more signal service been rendered to the Government than on that which brought about the capture of these flags, to you and your brave comrades in arms I again in the name of the President and the people, return thanks. The request of your General that leaves and furloughs be given to you, and will be given to you, and that you be paid the amount now due you, will be granted, and you will each be awarded a medal of honor, voted by Congress for gallant and meritorious services in this war.

Charles A. Goheen returned to New York State and served as editor of The Honeoye Gazette for number of years until his death in 1889.

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