Joseph Stockwell Manning

He Seized Their Battle Flag—Then Saved an Enemy

He seized their battle flag—then saved a wounded enemy during one of the most desperate assaults of the American Civil War. On November 29, 1863, Private Joseph Stockwell Manning of the 29th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry leaped over the defenses of Fort Sanders at Knoxville, Tennessee, and descended into a ditch crowded with defeated Confederate soldiers. There, he confronted an enemy color bearer, captured the battle flag of the 16th Georgia Infantry, and helped bring a wounded Confederate soldier to safety. His extraordinary courage earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor.

Joseph Stockwell Manning was born on April 13, 1845, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of Leighton Wilson Manning and Caroline Stockwell Manning, members of a family with longstanding connections to the town and surrounding communities of Essex County.

The Manning family lived on High Street in Ipswich, an established New England community whose history extended back to the colonial period. Joseph grew up during a time of expanding industry, changing social conditions, and increasing political divisions that would eventually lead to the American Civil War.

Before entering military service, Manning worked as a clerk. His early employment provided experience in commercial affairs, an occupation to which he would return after the war.

When Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in April 1861, the United States entered a conflict that would transform the nation. President Abraham Lincoln called upon loyal states to provide military forces, and Massachusetts responded by organizing volunteer regiments for service in the Union Army.

On November 25, 1861, Manning enlisted in Boston, Massachusetts, and entered military service as a Private in Company K of the 29th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

The regiment was organized during the early stages of the war, combining companies already serving in Virginia with additional recruits from Massachusetts. Its soldiers became part of the expanding Union military effort to defeat Confederate armies and restore Federal authority throughout the seceded states.

Manning's military service began in the Eastern Theater, where the 29th Massachusetts was stationed in southeastern Virginia.

The regiment initially performed duties around Newport News and Fortress Monroe, strategically important Union positions near the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay.

These locations provided essential naval facilities and served as bases for Federal operations against Confederate forces occupying the Virginia Peninsula.

In March 1862, the region became the scene of a historic naval confrontation when the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, constructed from the former USS Merrimack, attacked Union warships at Hampton Roads.

The Confederate vessel destroyed the USS Cumberland and the USS Congress before confronting the Union ironclad USS Monitor the following day.

Historical accounts of Manning's service associate him with the fighting around Hampton Roads and report that he helped protect surviving sailors from the USS Congress during the Confederate attack.

The engagement represented a major turning point in naval warfare, demonstrating the effectiveness of armored steam-powered warships and helping bring the age of traditional wooden warships toward its conclusion.

As the Union armies expanded their operations in Virginia, the 29th Massachusetts became involved in the Peninsula Campaign under Major General George B. McClellan.

During the summer of 1862, Federal forces attempted to advance toward Richmond, the Confederate capital, but encountered determined resistance from General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

The regiment participated in major operations associated with the Seven Days Battles, including engagements around Gaines' Mill, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, and Malvern Hill.

These battles exposed Union soldiers to demanding marches, artillery bombardments, infantry assaults, and the difficulties of maintaining military formations during rapidly changing battlefield conditions.

Later in 1862, the regiment served with the Army of the Potomac during the Maryland Campaign.

The Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, became the bloodiest single day in American military history. Union and Confederate forces fought across fields, roads, and wooded positions near Sharpsburg, Maryland, suffering devastating casualties.

The 29th Massachusetts subsequently participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, where Union assaults against heavily defended Confederate positions ended in a costly Federal defeat.

By this stage of the war, Manning had experienced several major campaigns and had become familiar with the dangers of infantry service.

During 1863, the regiment was transferred westward with the Ninth Army Corps, entering operations in Kentucky and the Mississippi Valley.

Union military activity in the Western Theater focused on securing important transportation routes, defeating Confederate field armies, and gaining control of the Mississippi River.

The 29th Massachusetts participated in operations associated with the Vicksburg Campaign, contributing to the wider Federal effort that ultimately secured the Mississippi River in July 1863.

Following these operations, elements of the Ninth Corps moved into eastern Tennessee under Major General Ambrose E. Burnside.

Knoxville had become an important strategic objective because of its railroad connections, geographical position, and significance to Union supporters in East Tennessee.

Burnside's forces entered Knoxville in September 1863 and began strengthening the city's defenses.

Federal engineers and soldiers constructed an extensive system of earthworks, artillery positions, trenches, and fortified strongpoints to protect the city against Confederate attack.

One of the most important defensive positions was Fort Sanders, located on elevated ground northwest of Knoxville.

The fort overlooked important approaches to the city and formed part of the outer defensive line protecting the Union army.

Its position was strengthened by steep slopes, defensive ditches, and obstacles designed to slow attacking infantry.

During November 1863, Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet advanced toward Knoxville with troops detached from General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee.

Longstreet's objective was to defeat Burnside's forces and regain Confederate control over the strategically important region.

The Union troops withdrew into Knoxville and prepared to withstand a siege.

Manning and the 29th Massachusetts became part of the force defending the city.

Throughout the latter half of November, Confederate troops gradually approached the Union fortifications, establishing rifle pits and artillery positions from which they could threaten the defenders.

The opposing forces exchanged frequent gunfire, and the soldiers inside Knoxville remained under constant pressure.

In his later account of the campaign, Manning remembered the persistent danger posed by Confederate riflemen as their positions moved closer to the Federal defenses.

On the night of November 28, Confederate troops launched attacks against Union outposts, forcing the defenders to withdraw toward their principal fortifications.

The fighting continued through the darkness as both armies prepared for a larger confrontation.

Manning's regiment was initially positioned behind Fort Sanders during the night.

The weather was bitterly cold, and the soldiers endured uncomfortable conditions while remaining prepared for an enemy assault.

At one point, Manning moved toward a fire behind the lines to warm himself.

When he returned, he discovered that his regiment had been ordered away to reinforce another part of the defensive position.

Finding himself separated from his unit, Manning remained at Fort Sanders rather than attempting to locate the regiment during the developing attack.

As dawn approached on November 29, Confederate artillery and infantry began their assault.

Longstreet had selected Fort Sanders as the target of a concentrated attack, hoping to penetrate the Union defensive line and force Burnside's army to abandon Knoxville.

Confederate infantry advanced against the fort after a brief artillery bombardment.

The attackers encountered formidable obstacles almost immediately.

Telegraph wires stretched between tree stumps and other obstacles disrupted the advancing soldiers, while the steep ground slowed their movement toward the fort.

When the Confederate infantry reached the defensive ditch, they discovered that its depth and the height of the surrounding earthworks made it extremely difficult to reach the top.

Many soldiers had expected to overcome the position quickly, but the absence of adequate scaling equipment left them exposed to devastating fire from the Union defenders.

Federal infantrymen fired from protected positions, while Union artillery swept the approaches with shells and canister.

The battle quickly became a desperate struggle along the parapet.

Confederate soldiers attempted to climb the earthworks, push through artillery openings, and establish a foothold inside the fort.

The defenders responded with musket fire, bayonets, and whatever weapons were available.

Even artillerymen became involved in close fighting as the attackers struggled to overcome the fortifications.

Manning remained among the defenders during the assault.

He later described the intensity of the fighting and the difficulty of loading and firing his weapon while his hands were numb from the cold.

Confederate color bearers attempted to plant their regimental flags upon the Union parapet.

These flags represented the identity and fighting spirit of their regiments and served as visible rallying points during combat.

Several flags briefly appeared above the defensive works, only to be struck down or seized amid the fierce fighting.

The Union defenders held their positions.

Unable to overcome the steep ditch and concentrated Federal fire, the Confederate attackers suffered heavy casualties and eventually began withdrawing.

The assault on Fort Sanders ended in a decisive Union victory.

Confederate soldiers who survived the attack attempted to retreat toward their original positions, but many wounded men remained trapped in the defensive ditch beneath the fort.

Others continued seeking protection behind fallen comrades and the surrounding earthworks.

The danger had not completely passed. Confederate troops still occupied positions beyond the fort and maintained intermittent rifle and artillery fire.

Union commanders ordered detachments to move into the ditch, disarm the remaining Confederate soldiers, and bring prisoners into the fort.

Brigadier General Edward Ferrero directed the defenders to clear the ditch and secure the position.

A detachment from the 29th Massachusetts advanced along one side of the fortification, while soldiers of the 2nd Michigan Infantry moved toward another section.

Manning wanted to accompany the detachment from his regiment.

However, by the time he attempted to join them, the soldiers had already advanced beyond his immediate position.

Rather than abandon the effort, he chose another route.

Waiting until he believed the detachment had entered the ditch, Manning climbed onto the parapet and slid down the exterior wall of Fort Sanders.

He landed among Confederate soldiers who had taken shelter below the defensive works.

For a moment, Manning found himself alone in a dangerous position surrounded by enemy troops.

He could hear Union soldiers approaching from another section of the ditch, but none were immediately beside him.

Recognizing that the Confederate soldiers were disorganized and uncertain of his situation, Manning boldly demanded their surrender.

His confidence and sudden appearance created an opportunity.

Several Confederate soldiers laid down their weapons rather than continue resisting.

As Manning moved farther along the ditch, he noticed a Confederate color bearer attempting to conceal his regimental flag.

Manning confronted the soldier and demanded that he surrender.

Holding the Confederate soldier at bayonet point, he secured the battle flag of the 16th Georgia Infantry.

The color bearer surrendered, and Manning took possession of the flag.

Shortly afterward, the advancing Union detachment reached Manning's position and took custody of his prisoner.

The Federal soldiers continued clearing the ditch and collected additional Confederate prisoners.

In his later account, Manning recalled that approximately two hundred enemy soldiers were brought into the fort during the operation.

Another Confederate battle flag was recovered from beneath the body of a fallen color bearer.

The capture of the 16th Georgia Infantry's flag became Manning's defining military achievement.

During the Civil War, the capture of enemy colors was considered an extraordinary battlefield accomplishment.

Regimental flags represented a unit's honor, identity, and cohesion. Their loss could have significant symbolic meaning, especially when captured by an opposing soldier during active combat.

Manning's actions demonstrated remarkable confidence and initiative at a moment when he had entered a dangerous position without immediate support.

Yet his bravery at Fort Sanders did not end with the capture of the Confederate flag.

While moving through the ditch, Manning encountered a wounded Confederate soldier who was unable to reach safety.

The injured man feared that he might be struck by additional gunfire if he remained exposed beneath the fortification.

He asked Manning to help him enter the Union defenses.

Manning agreed.

The wounded Confederate soldier had to make his way over the bodies of men who had fallen during the unsuccessful assault.

Manning helped him reach the parapet and temporarily passed the captured flag to him while climbing back onto the fortification.

Once above the ditch, Manning retrieved the flag and supported the wounded soldier as they moved toward a safer entrance.

He carried the captured Confederate colors and his weapon on one shoulder while helping the injured man walk with his other arm.

Together, they moved more than one hundred yards along the front of the Confederate line.

Manning later recalled that the enemy soldiers did not fire upon them during this part of the journey, apparently recognizing that he was assisting one of their wounded comrades.

The two men successfully entered the Union position.

After ensuring that the wounded soldier had reached safety, Manning turned toward the Confederate lines and displayed the captured flag.

The Confederates responded with a volley of gunfire.

Bullets passed dangerously close, forcing Manning to seek shelter behind the earthworks.

His actions reflected two different expressions of courage during the same engagement.

He had risked his life to capture an enemy battle flag, an act of offensive battlefield initiative.

He had also demonstrated compassion by helping a wounded enemy soldier reach safety after the fighting.

Both incidents became important elements of his later personal account of the battle.

Following the capture of the flag, Manning reported to Union headquarters.

Major General Ambrose E. Burnside personally received the Confederate colors and congratulated him for his distinguished conduct.

The recognition was particularly meaningful because the defense of Fort Sanders had been one of the most important Union successes of the Knoxville Campaign.

Longstreet's attempt to break the Federal defensive line had failed, and the Confederate army had suffered severe casualties without securing its objective.

The victory strengthened the Union position in eastern Tennessee and contributed to the eventual Confederate withdrawal from Knoxville.

In early December 1863, Longstreet's forces abandoned the siege and moved away from the city.

Burnside's army retained control of Knoxville, preserving an important Federal military position and protecting Union supporters throughout East Tennessee.

For Private Manning, the battle had secured a lasting place in the military history of the 29th Massachusetts Infantry.

His capture of the Confederate colors was formally recognized by the United States Army.

Following the Knoxville Campaign, Manning continued his military service.

On January 29, 1864, he transferred to Company H of the 36th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

The transfer took place during a period when veteran organizations were being reorganized and soldiers approaching the end of their enlistment terms were reassigned to complete their remaining service.

The 36th Massachusetts continued operating with the Ninth Army Corps, which returned to Virginia during the spring of 1864 as Union forces prepared for a new offensive against General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

The campaigns of 1864 involved some of the most demanding fighting of the war, including operations through the Wilderness and toward Spotsylvania Court House.

Manning's service eventually concluded on August 15, 1864, when he was discharged as a Private upon the expiration of his term of service.

His military career had taken him from Massachusetts to Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee during some of the Civil War's most important campaigns.

After leaving the Army, Manning returned to Massachusetts and resumed civilian life.

He found employment in the wholesale grocery business in Boston, drawing upon the commercial experience he had gained before entering military service.

He also maintained connections with Ipswich and Somerville, where members of his family had longstanding ties.

During his later civilian career, Manning held a position at the Massachusetts State House, continuing his working life after the conclusion of his military service.

His wartime bravery received official recognition on December 1, 1864.

On that date, Joseph Stockwell Manning was awarded the Medal of Honor for capturing the flag of the 16th Georgia Infantry at Fort Sanders on November 29, 1863.

The Medal of Honor had been authorized for the United States Army in 1862 to recognize extraordinary military courage during the Civil War.

It became the highest military decoration for valor awarded by the United States.

Manning received his medal little more than a year after the battle, making him one of the relatively early Civil War recipients whose extraordinary conduct was recognized while the conflict was still ongoing.

His decoration acknowledged the exceptional bravery required to leave a defended position, enter an enemy-filled ditch, confront a Confederate color bearer, and secure a regimental battle flag.

The award also connected his name permanently with the successful Union defense of Knoxville.

Another member of the 29th Massachusetts Infantry, Sergeant Jeremiah Mahoney, received the Medal of Honor for capturing the flag of the 17th Mississippi Infantry during the same battle.

Together, their actions became important examples of individual courage during the Confederate assault on Fort Sanders.

Manning's account of the battle was later preserved in the 1901 publication Deeds of Valor, which collected recollections from American military heroes.

His testimony provided an unusually detailed description of the circumstances surrounding his Medal of Honor.

Through his recollections, later generations learned not only how he captured the Confederate flag but also how he assisted a wounded enemy soldier after the assault had failed.

These details added an important human dimension to his military achievement.

They revealed that his courage was demonstrated through both battlefield determination and the willingness to help a man who had fought on the opposing side.

Joseph Stockwell Manning died in 1905 in Somerville, Massachusetts, at the age of sixty.

He was buried in the family plot at Old North Cemetery, also known as the Old North Burying Ground, in Ipswich.

His burial returned him to the Massachusetts community where he had been born and raised before the Civil War.

His grave preserves the memory of his Union military service and the extraordinary bravery for which he received the Medal of Honor.

The history of Fort Sanders remains an important part of the American Civil War's Knoxville Campaign.

The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of prepared defensive positions and the enormous difficulties faced by infantry attempting to overcome fortified earthworks without adequate equipment or support.

For Manning, it also became the defining event of his military life.

On November 29, 1863, he faced a choice after the Confederate attack had been repulsed.

He could have remained safely behind the fortifications while other soldiers cleared the ditch below.

Instead, he climbed over the parapet and entered the dangerous ground occupied by defeated but still armed Confederate troops.

His determination enabled him to capture the flag of the 16th Georgia Infantry and secure the surrender of an enemy color bearer.

His subsequent assistance to a wounded Confederate soldier demonstrated an equally significant commitment to protecting human life amid the suffering of war.

The Medal of Honor awarded to Joseph Stockwell Manning stands as an enduring tribute to his courage, initiative, and devotion to duty.

His story preserves the memory of a young Union infantryman whose extraordinary actions at Fort Sanders helped secure an important military victory and earned him a distinguished place among the Medal of Honor recipients of the American Civil War.

More than a century and a half after the Battle of Fort Sanders, his legacy continues to represent the determination of soldiers who faced extraordinary danger, the importance of individual bravery, and the humanity that could still emerge from the violence of the battlefield.