Adelbert Everson

Adelbert Everson was born on 12 April 1841 at Cicero, in Onondaga County, New York. At the age of 23, he enlisted at nearby Salina on 9 September 1864 for one year of Union service. He was mustered into Company D, 185th New York Infantry, as a private on 19 September. [1, 2]

At Five Forks, Virginia, on 1 April 1865, Everson captured an enemy flag. For this action he received the Medal of Honor, dated 10 May 1865. His complete official citation is unusually brief: “Capture of flag.” He held the rank of private at the time of the action. [1]

Everson subsequently became a corporal on 22 May 1865. Eight days later, on 30 May, he was mustered out with his company near Washington, D.C. The distinction between his action rank and his later promotion is recorded in New York’s official regimental roster. [2]

He died at Brewerton, New York, on 23 July 1913, aged 72, and was buried in Riverside Cemetery. In 1987, the Fort Brewerton Historical Society erected a cemetery marker that specifically commemorates him among the veterans buried there. [1, 3]

Sources [1] Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Adelbert Everson: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/adelbert-everson [2] New York Adjutant General, 185th Infantry roster, p. 587: https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/rosters/Infantry/185th_Infantry_CW_Roster.pdf [3] Riverside Cemetery historical marker, inscription and photographs: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=308855