Edward J. Bebb

On April 16, 1865, with the American Civil War approaching its end, Private Edward J. Bebb captured an enemy flag during the fighting at Columbus, Georgia. His official Medal of Honor citation contains only three words: “Capture of flag.” Behind that brief citation was an Iowa cavalryman whose courage secured the highest military decoration of the United States.

Edward James Bebb was born on April 28, 1839, in Butler County, Ohio. He later settled in Iowa and entered military service from Henry County. During the Civil War, he served as a private in Company D, 4th Iowa Cavalry. National Park Service records confirm that Bebb served in the Union Army and remained a private throughout his recorded military career.

The 4th Iowa Cavalry experienced years of demanding wartime service before joining Major General James H. Wilson’s 1865 campaign through Alabama and Georgia. By April, Wilson’s cavalry was advancing toward Columbus, an important Confederate manufacturing and supply center. Confederate soldiers, state militia and local defense units occupied fortified positions west of the Chattahoochee River and prepared to resist the Union attack.

Bebb’s regiment fought at Columbus on April 16, 1865. During the battle, he captured a Confederate flag, an act of courage that distinguished him among the attacking cavalrymen. Capturing an enemy flag was both a military and symbolic achievement. Regimental colors helped soldiers identify, rally and maneuver with their units, making their loss a serious blow to morale and organization.

What happened next ensured that Bebb’s name would not be forgotten.

On June 17, 1865, Private Edward J. Bebb was awarded the Medal of Honor. The official record identifies his rank as private, his unit as Company D of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and the place of action as Columbus, Georgia. His recognition came only two months after the battle.

The 4th Iowa Cavalry continued to Macon and remained on duty in Georgia before being mustered out in August 1865. Bebb returned to civilian life after serving through one of the most destructive conflicts in American history. The Civil War Campaign Medal also represents his qualifying Union Army service. Army regulations state that the medal was established in 1907 for service during the Civil War qualifying period.

Edward J. Bebb died on July 12, 1916, at the Iowa Soldiers’ Home in Marshalltown. He was buried in New Salem Cemetery near Lynnville, Iowa.

Today, Private Edward J. Bebb is remembered as a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient whose official citation says very little, yet represents an extraordinary moment of courage. In the confusion and danger of battle, he seized an enemy flag and earned a permanent place in the history of the 4th Iowa Cavalry and the Medal of Honor.