28. One of the Youngest People to Earn the Medal of Honor Joined the Army at Age 12 (Part 1)
Orion Perseus Howe, one of the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor, was born in Ohio in 1848, then moved with his family to Illinois shortly before the start of the Civil War. When Orion was 12, he and his younger brother Lyston enlisted as musicians in the 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, in which their father served as regimental band leader. During his service, young Orion was present at 14 battles in which his regiment fought. His moment of fame came during the Vicksburg Campaign, on May 19th, 1863. During an assault on Vicksburg that day, the 55th Illinois charged and ended up pressed close to the Confederate lines. A vicious firefight ensued, that quickly exhausted the cartridge boxes of the Illinois men.
It soon became critical to secure a resupply of ammunition from the stocks in the rear. Unfortunately, the regiment was in an awkward position, such that anybody leaving its relatively covered position for the rear would have to cross hundreds of yards of relatively open ground that was swept by enemy fire. When the regimental commander sought volunteers to make the perilous sprint, Orion was one of those who stepped up. The volunteers began their dangerous dash to the rear to secure more ammunition, running full out up a rise that was swept by Confederate canister and rifle fire. One after the other, the brave men were killed, until only Orion remained, scrambling onwards to complete his mission.
