Ebenezer Skellie

Ebenezer Skellie was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War whose courage under fire earned him the Medal of Honor. He served in Company D, 112th New York Infantry, and held the rank of Corporal at the time of the action for which he was later recognized. His military record is especially associated with the fighting at Chapin’s Farm, Virginia, where he displayed exceptional bravery while carrying his regiment’s colors through intense enemy fire.

As a Corporal, Skellie was a noncommissioned officer with responsibilities beyond those of an ordinary Private. He was expected to help maintain discipline, assist in directing soldiers, and carry out orders during combat. His position required reliability and leadership, particularly during moments when the regiment was under severe pressure.

Skellie’s defining action took place on September 29, 1864, during the Battle of Chapin’s Farm in Virginia. The battle formed part of Union operations against the defenses of Richmond and Petersburg. Union forces attacked heavily defended Confederate positions, and the fighting became intense as troops advanced against fortified lines under rifle and artillery fire.

During the first charge, the soldier carrying the regimental colors fell. Skellie immediately took up the colors and continued forward with them. In Civil War combat, the regimental flag was extremely important because it served as a rallying point for the men and helped soldiers maintain formation during smoke, noise, and confusion.

Carrying the colors was also one of the most dangerous duties on the battlefield. Color bearers were highly visible and often became direct targets of enemy fire. When one color bearer fell, another soldier might immediately step forward to prevent the flag from being lost or left on the ground.

Skellie demonstrated exceptional courage by taking up the fallen colors and continuing the advance. His bravery did not end with the first charge.

During a second charge, the fighting became even more severe. Members of the color guard were killed or wounded, leaving Skellie in an increasingly dangerous position.

Despite the losses around him, Skellie continued carrying the colors toward the enemy works. He advanced until he reached the Confederate defenses, where he was wounded.

His refusal to abandon the regimental colors, even after the color guard around him had been struck down, became the defining act of his military career.

For his actions at Chapin’s Farm on September 29, 1864, Ebenezer Skellie was awarded the Medal of Honor.

The correct historical version of his decoration is the Medal of Honor 1862–1895 Army.

The Army Medal of Honor was established during the Civil War and became the principal national decoration for extraordinary gallantry and distinguished battlefield conduct.

The early Army Medal of Honor featured the five-pointed star design associated with the first generation of recipients. Its central imagery symbolized the Union, victory, and the defeat of discord.

Because Skellie’s heroic action occurred in 1864 while he was serving in the United States Army, the Medal of Honor 1862–1895 Army is the correct version for his profile.

No verified device or clasp is associated with his Medal of Honor.

Skellie’s action rank was Corporal.

This is the rank that should be used when describing the Medal of Honor action at Chapin’s Farm.

Later in his military career, Skellie received the brevet rank of Second Lieutenant in the New York Volunteers.

This represented a significant advancement from enlisted noncommissioned officer to commissioned officer rank.

A brevet promotion was often granted in recognition of distinguished or meritorious service. It did not always carry the same permanent authority as a regular promotion, but it was still an important military honor and reflected recognition of service beyond ordinary expectations.

For Skellie’s hero profile, the correct action rank remains Corporal, while Brevet Second Lieutenant should be listed as his highest confirmed rank.

His Medal of Honor action was closely tied to infantry combat.

The 112th New York Infantry was an infantry regiment, and Skellie’s bravery occurred during a direct assault against fortified Confederate positions.

His conduct showed the courage expected of soldiers who carried regimental colors into some of the most dangerous areas of the battlefield.

The significance of the colors in Civil War combat cannot be overstated.

They symbolized the identity and honor of the regiment, but they also had practical value. Soldiers could use the flag to determine where their unit was positioned and where they should rally during battle.

Losing the colors could damage morale, while preserving them helped maintain cohesion.

Skellie’s willingness to take up the flag after the original color bearer fell therefore had both symbolic and practical importance.

His action during the second charge was even more remarkable because the color guard had been largely destroyed by enemy fire.

Despite that, Skellie continued forward.

His eventual wounding at the enemy works showed just how close he came to the center of the fighting.

The Medal of Honor recognized exactly this kind of courage.

Skellie’s service also illustrates the role of junior noncommissioned officers in Civil War battles.

Corporals often had to step into leadership roles when casualties disrupted normal command structures.

Skellie’s decision to take the colors and continue advancing reflected both initiative and determination.

His later brevet promotion to Second Lieutenant further demonstrated that his service was recognized beyond the single moment of battle.

Skellie’s final medal history is centered on the Medal of Honor 1862–1895 Army.

He should not be assigned the later Civil War Campaign Medal under the current client workflow because he died before that medal was established.

Ebenezer Skellie died on July 2, 1898.

The Army Civil War Campaign Medal was established later, in 1907.

Because Skellie died before the medal existed, it should not be included in his final record.

His confirmed decoration therefore remains the Medal of Honor 1862–1895 Army, with no device or clasp.

Skellie’s military legacy rests primarily on his bravery at Chapin’s Farm.

As a Corporal, he took up the regimental colors after the original bearer fell.

During a later charge, he continued carrying them even after the color guard was killed or wounded.

He advanced all the way to the enemy works before being wounded himself.

This combination of courage, determination, and devotion to duty earned him the Medal of Honor.

His later brevet promotion to Second Lieutenant reflected the broader recognition of his service.

Ebenezer Skellie should ultimately be remembered as a Union infantry soldier who accepted one of the most dangerous responsibilities on the battlefield and refused to abandon it even when those around him were falling.

His Medal of Honor 1862–1895 Army remains the defining symbol of his courage and preserves his place in the history of the 112th New York Infantry and the United States Army.