Joseph Burger (Medal of Honor)

Defending a wagon train at Nolensville

Joseph Burger was born on 16 April 1848. He served in the United States Army with Company H, 2nd Minnesota Infantry during the American Civil War, and later attained the rank of captain.

On 15 February 1863 at Nolensville, Tennessee, Private Burger was among 16 men who defended a wagon train against 125 cavalrymen. The detachment repulsed the attack and saved the train. He received the Medal of Honor on 11 September 1897 for his part in the defense.

Burger died on 3 January 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is buried in Oakland Cemetery there. His Medal of Honor is held by the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum in Little Falls.

Medal of Honor citation

Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack, and saved the train.