Michael Charles Asten

He Fought Through Illness as His Warship Fell

Michael Charles Asten was a United States Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor for his courage during the American Civil War. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, around 1834, he served under the name Charles Asten and was also recorded as Michael Asten. His military service brought him aboard USS Signal, where he distinguished himself during a fierce engagement against Confederate forces on the Red River in Louisiana on May 5, 1864.

Asten entered United States naval service during the Civil War, with his service officially accredited to Chicago, Illinois. By the time of his Medal of Honor action, he held the rating of Quarter Gunner aboard USS Signal, a light-draft Union gunboat operating on the western rivers.

Quarter Gunners performed duties associated with the ship's artillery equipment and the readiness of its weapons. Naval warfare on inland rivers presented particular dangers because Confederate troops could position artillery and sharpshooters along the banks, attacking vessels confined to narrow waterways.

USS Signal operated as part of the Union Navy's efforts to maintain control of important river routes and support Federal military campaigns. The vessel carried out patrols, reconnaissance missions, and dispatch duties in waters where Confederate forces continued to resist Union operations.

During 1864, Union commanders launched the Red River Campaign in Louisiana. The expedition combined Army and Navy forces in an effort to advance into Confederate-held territory and secure strategic positions along the river.

The campaign encountered determined resistance. Confederate forces attacked Union supply lines and sought opportunities to isolate Federal gunboats and transports operating along the waterways.

In April 1864, USS Signal was assigned duties connected with protecting vessels carrying coal and provisions for the Union flotilla.

On May 4, 1864, Signal received orders to carry a messenger with dispatches from Major General Nathaniel P. Banks and proceed down the Red River.

After traveling approximately twenty miles, the gunboat came under fire from Confederate troops positioned along the riverbank. Signal returned fire as it continued downstream.

The vessel subsequently encountered USS Covington and the Army transport John Warner. The three ships were operating in an area where Confederate forces could threaten their movements from positions along the river.

Enemy attacks continued during the day and into the night.

At daylight on May 5, the vessels resumed their movement downstream. As they approached a bend in the river, they encountered a substantial Confederate force supported by field artillery and sharpshooters.

The Confederate attack quickly placed the Union vessels in serious danger.

Artillery and small-arms fire struck the ships as their crews attempted to fight their way through the threatened section of the river.

The transport John Warner was disabled and drifted toward the bank, obstructing the passage of the gunboats.

USS Signal came under heavy fire and continued engaging Confederate positions.

Charles Asten was serving aboard Signal during this desperate encounter.

Although he had been placed on the ship's sick list, Asten continued performing his assigned duties throughout the battle.

His physical condition did not prevent him from remaining at his post while Confederate field batteries and sharpshooters attacked the vessel.

The fighting exposed the Union sailors to constant danger. With their ships confined to the river channel, the crews faced enemy fire from positions that were difficult to approach or escape.

Asten remained on duty as Signal returned fire against the Confederate forces.

Despite the efforts of its crew, the gunboat sustained disabling damage.

As the battle continued, Signal became unable to operate effectively. With the vessel disabled and further resistance no longer possible, a white flag was raised.

Signal was eventually run aground, set on fire, and abandoned. Members of the crew were captured after going ashore.

USS Covington and John Warner were also lost during the engagement.

The destruction of the three vessels represented a serious setback for Union naval operations during the Red River Campaign.

For Charles Asten, however, the battle became the defining event of his military career.

His determination to continue serving despite illness and intense enemy fire attracted official recognition.

The Medal of Honor citation specifically noted that Asten remained at his duties throughout the engagement even though he had been placed on the sick list.

This conduct demonstrated the personal endurance and commitment required of sailors serving aboard Union gunboats during the Civil War.

Unlike engagements fought on the open ocean, river battles often placed naval crews within range of concealed enemy batteries and infantry positions. Asten's actions took place under those difficult conditions, as USS Signal fought against Confederate forces until the vessel could no longer continue.

His courage was recognized in Navy General Order No. 45, dated December 31, 1864.

The official Navy award record identified him as a Quarter Gunner aboard USS Signal and recognized his performance during the battle on May 5, 1864.

The Navy Medal of Honor honored his dedication to duty during the engagement, distinguishing him among the sailors whose bravery received national recognition during the American Civil War.

Asten received the award during his lifetime.

The surviving accounts provide limited details about his later civilian activities, but his service aboard Signal remained permanently recorded in the Navy's history of Medal of Honor recipients.

Charles Asten died on September 14, 1885. He was buried at St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

His military legacy centers on the events of May 5, 1864, when USS Signal confronted Confederate artillery and sharpshooters on the Red River.

Despite illness, Asten continued fulfilling his responsibilities throughout the engagement, remaining on duty until the gunboat was disabled.

His conduct demonstrated courage through endurance, discipline, and steadfast service under enemy fire.

Charles Asten is remembered as a United States Navy Quarter Gunner whose bravery during the destruction of USS Signal earned him the Medal of Honor and secured his place among the honored sailors of the American Civil War.