alternatehistory.com

Victoria Cross citations, Trent War (selected sample)



Private James William HERBERT, Queens Own Rifles of Canada
For Conspicuous Gallantry at the Battle of Niagara on the 25th of April 1862, engaging opposing boats crossing the Niagara River with skill and bravery. The detachment of which Private Herbert was a part was targeted most heavily by enemy artillery, and his persistent and capable sharp-shooting with rifles loaded for him by the other members of his squad delayed the enemy landings by some ten minutes in his area. Private Herbert was wounded four times by shrapnel and once by musketry during this time, refusing to retreat until the expenditure of all available ammunition.

Corporal Guillaime Roy TREMBLAY, Voltiguers de Quebec
For marked gallantry at the Battle of Highgate, on the 13th June 1862. Corporal Tremblay repeatedly rode between his regiment in Highgate and the batteries two miles north with corrections and fall-of-shot, allowing the artillery to be directed so as to drive the enemy from the town. Corporal Tremblay had two horses shot out from under him during this time.

Corporal Matthew Johnson BLAKE, Ontario Volunteer Rifles (posthumous citation, with the note being that he would have won the VC had he survived.)
Corporal Blake displayed gallantry by setting an example for the men of his regiment at the Battle of Grand River on 10 June 1862. He was the first man out of the assault boats, taking the regimental colours when the bearer was shot down, and carried them up to the enemy position. This inspirational example drove the men of his regiment to maintain the advance in the face of a heavy fire, and contributed significantly to the capture of the enemy defences.
Corporal Blake died of his wounds the day after the battle, having been hit by musketry eleven times and cannister twice.

Sergeant Aidan Daniel WALSH, 2 Battalion 18th Regiment of Foot (Royal Irish)
Sergeant Walsh displayed conspicuous gallantry at the Battle of Keeseville on the 19th June 1862. When his battalion was cut off and came under friendly artillery fire due to a dire miscommunication, Sergeant Walsh rallied the battalion and took over ordering their fire. Exposing himself to enemy fire, Sergeant Walsh ensured that the Battalion was not overcome by the enemy and ensured that they successfully made it back to the friendly positions to the north. Sergeant Walsh also led a bayonet charge during this time, and was badly wounded in the thigh which later caused the loss of the leg.

Major Jacob Marsh ALEXANDER, Royal Marines (HMS Donegal)
Major Alexander commanded the land attack on Fort Delaware on the 25th February 1862 after the wounding of the colonel of the 45th Regiment of Foot, leading from the front in exemplary fashion. His bravery and leadership led directly to the defeat of a force twice the size of that arrayed against his own, delivering a heavy and accurate fire on the enemy in spite of their own fire as well as the fire of the fort, and subsequently engaged and disabled several of the fort guns.

Trooper David Nathaniel SCOTT, 18th Hussars
For Marked Gallantry at the Battle of Niagara on the 25th of April 1862. Trooper Scott successfully held the flank of his regiment against two squads of enemy cavalrymen, using the capabilities of his rifle to the fullest while under heavy fire. Trooper Scott was hit five times over the course of the skirmish by rifle and musket bullets, including a bullet which carried away the two forefingers of his right hand, and continued to keep up an accurate fire on the enemy despite this - managing to load despite the damage to his limbs and fire using his left hand.

Subadar Thaman THAPA, 66th Bengal Native Infantry
For conspicuous gallantry at the action of 8 May 1862 outside San Francisco, at which Subadar Thapa on his own initiative brought his men around to the flank of the enemy position and launched a charge with the kukri. The appearance and surprise of this charge terrified the enemy, forcing them to retreat, and Subadar Thapa's personal example in continuing the charge despite two wounds from a revolver and one rifle bullet lodged in his leg contributed significantly to the victory.
(n.b. this is actually the Indian Order of Merit, though it is generally agreed he would have earned the VC if eligible)

Captain John Tyler CHAPMAN, Travanacore Nair Regiment
Captain Chapman demonstrated conspicuous gallantry on the 13th June during the battle of Sacramento, leading his men to attack a number of loopholed houses and capturing all of them. His actions discommoded the defending enemy, leading to their retreat from the city earlier than would otherwise have resulted.


Seaman William LAURENCE, HMS Defence

Seaman Laurence took over command of the nr. 2 Armstrong gun on HMS Defence after the loss of the gun-captain during the action of 21 April, and with Seaman Brands loaded two rounds of Martin's Shell despite the uncomfortable temperature of the rounds at that time. He also sighted in the gun on both occasions, thus contributing significantly to the defeat of the Galena in this action, and was wounded considerably by splinters entering the gun-port and produced by spall including the loss of one eye.