Alexander H. Mitchell

Alexander H. Mitchell’s Medal of Honor citation describes a struggle with a single opponent: the Confederate soldier carrying the flag of the 18th North Carolina Infantry. Mitchell captured that flag at Spotsylvania, Virginia, on 12 May 1864. Recognition came almost twenty-six years later, on 27 March 1890. [1]

Born on 13 November 1840 in Perrysville, Pennsylvania, Mitchell entered service with Company A, 105th Pennsylvania Infantry. The company muster roll dates his service from 9 September 1861 and records his advancement from sergeant to first sergeant, then to first lieutenant on 4 March 1864. It also records a captain’s commission in May, while specifying that he was not mustered into that rank. [1,2]

His courage had already attracted attention before Spotsylvania. Kate Scott’s 1888 history of Jefferson County names Sergeant A. H. Mitchel of Company A among the soldiers presented with the Kearny Cross in May 1863. This wartime recognition, associated with distinguished conduct in his division, preceded the action for which he received the nation’s highest military decoration. [3]

Medal of Honor citation: “Capture of flag of 18th North Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.), in a personal encounter with the color bearer.” [1]

The muster roll records that Mitchell was wounded at Spotsylvania. Another wound, received at Petersburg on 16 June 1864, led to his discharge on 15 November that year. His active service ended before the war, but the Medal of Honor eventually preserved the memory of his encounter with the Confederate color bearer. [1,2]

Mitchell lived until 1913 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His surviving military record documents both advancement through the ranks and the physical cost of service; details of his civilian career require further research. [1,2]

Sources [1] Congressional Medal of Honor Society: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/alexander-h-mitchell [2] 105th Pennsylvania, Company A muster roll: https://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/infantry/105th/105thcoa.html [3] Kate M. Scott, History of Jefferson County (1888), chapter XV: https://www.pa-roots.com/jefferson/katescotthistory/chapter15.html