Andrew Bringle

Andrew Bringle was born in Buffalo, New York, circa 1843 and joined the Union Army at Suspension Bridge, New York, in September 1861, entering Company F of the 10th New York Volunteer Cavalry. During his military service he took part in a number of major campaigns and was captured several times by Confederate forces, as well as being wounded in action during the Wilderness Campaign in May 1864.

At Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865, the 10th New York Cavalry took part in the battle which took place southwest of Petersburg in Virginia as part of the Appomattox Campaign. The Union cavalry troops commanded by Major General Philip Sheridan managed to cut off about a quarter of General Robert E. Lee's retreating army. While fighting, Bringle, who at that time held the rank of corporal, came directly up to a Confederate artillery position.

Bringle attacked the enemy battery while moving forward under fire together with Sergeant Llewellyn P. Norton. The two noncommissioned officers managed to overpower the artillerymen, captured a fieldpiece before the retreating crew had a chance to spike the gun to make it inoperable, and in the process took two prisoners.

Bringle received the Medal of Honor on July 3, 1865, for his actions in the engagement. The complete official citation is as follows: "He charged the enemy and helped Sergeant Norton to capture a fieldpiece and 2 prisoners."

Following the war, Bringle returned to civilian life. He died in Middleport, New York, on May 20, 1917, and was interred at Hartland Cemetery.