Andrew S. Bryant

Held a bridgehead against a stronger enemy force

Andrew Symmes Bryant earned the Medal of Honor for defending a bridgehead at New Bern, North Carolina, during the American Civil War. On 23 May 1863, the sergeant in Company A, 46th Massachusetts Infantry, directed a guard of sixteen men against a larger enemy force.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on 3 March 1841, Bryant was accredited to that city for his military service. His men occupied a small earthwork at the head of a bridge. By arranging the guard effectively and resisting the attack for half an hour, he helped protect New Bern from capture.

Official Medal of Honor citation

“By his courage and judicious disposition of his guard of 16 men, stationed in a small earthwork at the head of the bridge, Bryant held in check and repulsed for a half hour a fierce attack of a strong force of the enemy, thus probably saving the city of New Bern from capture.”

Bryant attained the rank of sergeant major and received the Medal of Honor on 13 August 1873. He died in Springfield, Ohio, on 6 October 1931 and was buried in Springfield Cemetery, Massachusetts, at Locust Path 529. His award records the defense conducted by a small guard at a vulnerable crossing.