Manning Ferguson Force

Charged enemy works, defending them until severely wounded.

Manning Ferguson Force was a lawyer and scholar who became one of the 20th Ohio Infantry's best-known commanders. Born in Washington, D.C., on December 17, 1824, he trained in law before the Civil War and rose through Union volunteer service to brigadier general, later receiving the brevet rank of major general.

At the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, Force charged the Confederate works. After the position was taken, he helped defend it against repeated assaults until he was severely wounded. For that conduct he received the Medal of Honor on March 31, 1892.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): Charged the enemy works, defended the captured position against counterattacks, and remained in the fight until severely wounded.

After the war Force returned to Cincinnati, where he served as a judge and continued his historical and literary work. He died on May 8, 1899, and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.