Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company H, 1st Delaware Infantry, Union Army. He first was a Sergeant, then advanced through the ranks to Sergeant Major and was promoted a 2nd Lieutenant on April 1, 1862. On September 17, 1862, the 1st Delaware Infantry, was in actions with Confederate forces at Antietam, Maryland. Suddenly as the 1st Delaware got within 60 feet of the sunken road, the Rebel guns opened up which resulted in casualties to the officers, men and almost the entire 1st Delaware color guard was killed. Although 2nd Lieutenant Tanner being wounded himself, he rushed out after the Delaware colors but was beaten back. The enemy charged five times to gain possession of the flag but were driven back each time. In a final attempt, 2nd Lieutenant Tanner within 20 yards of the enemy's lines, retrieved and carried off the regimental colors to the Union line. For extraordinary heroism in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 13, 1889. After the war, he was the postmaster of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, until he moved to Washington, D.C. and became a clerk in the War Department.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company H, 1st Delaware Infantry, Union Army. He first was a Sergeant, then advanced through the ranks to Sergeant Major and was promoted a 2nd Lieutenant on April 1, 1862. On September 17, 1862, the 1st Delaware Infantry, was in actions with Confederate forces at Antietam, Maryland. Suddenly as the 1st Delaware got within 60 feet of the sunken road, the Rebel guns opened up which resulted in casualties to the officers, men and almost the entire 1st Delaware color guard was killed. Although 2nd Lieutenant Tanner being wounded himself, he rushed out after the Delaware colors but was beaten back. The enemy charged five times to gain possession of the flag but were driven back each time. In a final attempt, 2nd Lieutenant Tanner within 20 yards of the enemy's lines, retrieved and carried off the regimental colors to the Union line. For extraordinary heroism in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 13, 1889. After the war, he was the postmaster of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, until he moved to Washington, D.C. and became a clerk in the War Department.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Tanner memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
