Edmund Haffee Explained

Edmund Haffee
Birth Date:c. 1832
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Placeofburial Label:Place of burial
Allegiance:United States of America
Union
Branch:United States Navy
Union Navy
Rank:Quarter Gunner
Serviceyears:1862 - 1865
Battles:American Civil War
First Battle of Fort Fisher
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
Awards:Medal of Honor

Edmund Haffee (c. 1832  - unknown) was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Military service

Haffee enlisted for a three-year term in the US Navy in August 1862, and was assigned to the Union ironclad .[1] His enlistment is credited to the state of Pennsylvania.

On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Alfred Terry.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Quarter Gunner Edmund Haffee, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. New Ironsides during action in several attacks on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865. The ship steamed in and took the lead in the ironclad division close inshore, and immediately opened its starboard battery in a barrage of well-directed fire to cause several fires and explosions and dismount several guns during the first two days of fighting. Taken under fire, as she steamed into position on 13 January, the New Ironsides fought all day and took on ammunition at night despite severe weather conditions. When the enemy came out of his bombproof to defend the fort against the storming party, the ship's battery disabled nearly every gun on the fort facing the shore before the cease-fire orders were given by the flagship.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865)

Action Date: December 24–25, 1864 & January 13–15, 1865

Service: Navy

Rank: Signal Quarter Gunner

Division: U.S.S. New Ironsides

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/navy/newironsides/newironsidesmrno9.html USS New Ironsides Muster Roll