Matthew Arther

Fired a bow gun valiantly at close range against forts.

Matthew Arther served both as a signal quartermaster and as captain of a rifled bow gun aboard USS Carondelet. Born in Scotland in 1835, he was part of the Western Gunboat Flotilla's hard fighting against Confederate river defenses early in the Civil War.

At Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, Fort Donelson on February 14, and in other actions, Arther carried out his duties with conspicuous valor and devotion. His work at signals and at the gun helped Carondelet fight at close range against fortified positions. He received the Medal of Honor in February 1864.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): Served faithfully and valiantly aboard USS Carondelet at Forts Henry and Donelson and other actions, carrying out his duties as signal quartermaster and captain of the rifled bow gun.

Arther died on June 17, 1890, in San Francisco and was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery.