Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library Listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 105504:  Medal of Honor awarded to Peter Cotton

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Ordinary Seaman Peter Cotton, USN, (Born in 1839)

Peter Cotton was born in 1839 in New York City, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that state and served as an Ordinary Seaman on board USS Baron De Kalb during the American Civil War. He "distinguished himself" as the ship's Coxswain from 23 to 27 December 1862, while she took part in the Yazoo River Expedition. For his conduct at during that time, Cotton was awarded the Medal of Honor.

This page features the only image we have concerning Peter Cotton.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 105504

U.S. Navy Medal of Honor


Reverse of a Medal of Honor awarded to Ordinary Seaman Peter Cotton, USN, who "distinguished himself" while serving as Coxswain on board USS Baron De Kalb during the Yazoo River expedition, 23 to 27 December 1862.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 108KB; 545 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ordinary Seaman Peter Cotton, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 20):

"COTTON served on board the U.S.S. Baron De Kalb in the Yazoo River expedition, 23 to 27 December 1862. Proceeding under orders up the Yazoo River, the Baron De Kalb, with the object of capturing or destroying the enemy's transports, came upon the steamers John Walsh, R. J. Locklan, Golden Age and the Scotland, sunk on a bar where they were ordered to be burned. Continuing up the river, the Baron De Kalb was fired upon but, upon returning the fire, caused the enemy's retreat. Returning down the Yazoo, she destroyed and captured large quantities of enemy equipment and several prisoners. Serving bravely throughout this action, COTTON, as coxswain 'distinguished himself in the various actions.'"


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 26 February 2008