Alonzo Cushing: A Story of Valor
The bravery of mere boy.
Repubblica will be presenting a series of articles written about heroes from the Civil War. As Americans we need to look back often at the people who built and influenced the country. The 19th Century was a time of greatness. Many presidents, Senators, House members, generals, soldiers, writers, young people, older people, teachers and farmers made impressions on the United States which will never be erased.
In American history, few names evoke the sheer valor and sacrifice that defined the Civil War quite like Alonzo Cushing. Born in 1841 in Wisconsin, Cushing’s journey from a young cadet to a celebrated hero of the Battle of Gettysburg is a poignant narrative of duty, courage, and legacy.
The sun had barely risen over the rolling fields of Gettysburg when the faint sound of artillery rumbled in the distance from Culp’s Hill. Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing, commanding Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, knew that the day would bring a ferocious clash. At just 22 years old, Cushing had already seen the ravages of war, but the battle unfolding before him on July 3, 1863, promised to be unlike any other.
As July 3 revealed the full might of the Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee, Cushing's thoughts flickered back to his home in Wisconsin and his time at West Point. His rapid rise through the ranks was a testament to his unwavering dedication and skill. However, it was his resolve on this fateful day that would etch his name into the annals of history.
After Confederate General Robert E. Lee had successfully driven back the Union First and Eleventh Corps on July 1, and then attacked both flanks of the Union positions at Little Round Top and Cemetery and Culp’s Hill on July 2, he decided to attack the Union center on the third day of the battle. He saw that Union General George Meade, appointed as commander on June 28, would not retreat. This provoked Lee to attack because he thought the center of the battle line would be weak. He conferred with General James Longstreet regarding the planned attack, but Longstreet disagreed that the center would be weak. Longstreet obeyed his orders though. An artillery attack would precede the infantry charge across a three quarter mile field in Pennsylvania. Over 150 Confederate cannon would discharge and open the attack at 1 pm.
The Confederate barrage began with a thunderous roar, a relentless bombardment aimed at the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Gun after gun fired across from the Seminary Ridge. Amidst the chaos, Cushing stood firm, directing his men with a calm authority that belied the danger surrounding them. Shells exploded around them, the acrid smoke mingling with the morning mist. The air was thick with the screams of the wounded and the grim determination of those who continued to fight.
Cushing’s battery was a focal point of the Confederate assault. As the minutes stretched into hours, the toll on men and equipment became increasingly severe. Cushing himself was grievously wounded, a shell fragment tearing through his abdomen. Despite the excruciating pain, he refused to leave the field. His voice, now hoarse and strained, continued to issue orders, ensuring that his guns remained operational.
“Cushing suffered his first wound well before the Rebel infantry began their attack. A searing hot piece of shrapnel ripped open both his thighs and stomach. While other artillery units withdrew from Cemetery Ridge due to the heavy Rebel bombardment, Cushing refused to yield. He ordered his remaining 3-inch ordnance rifles to be wheeled directly up against the stone wall at the Angle in preparation for the onslaught. Propped up by Sergeant Frederick Fuger – a Medal of Honor recipient for his gallantry at the battle – and having to hold his own belly in order to keep his entrails from spilling out, Cushing fought on regardless of subordinates’ pleading. When asked to retire from the field and seek medical treatment, Cushing coolly replied, ‘No, I stay right here and fight it out or die in the attempt.’”
In the midst of this inferno, Cushing’s bravery inspired his men. With each passing moment, the intensity of the Confederate attack grew. When the infamous Pickett’s Charge commenced, the sight of approximately 13,000 Confederate soldiers advancing across the open field toward Cemetery Ridge was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Cushing, gravely wounded and barely able to stand, made a decision that epitomized his unyielding spirit. At this point, he moved his remaining two cannons to the front lines, directly in the path of the oncoming Confederate forces. With his hand pressed against his wound to stem the bleeding, he continued to fire upon the advancing enemy. His actions provided crucial support to the Union soldiers, who were desperately trying to hold their ground.
As the Confederate soldiers closed in, Cushing was hit again, this time mortally. His last words, uttered with his final breath, were a testament to his indomitable spirit: “I will give them one more shot.” He collapsed beside his cannon, his sacrifice complete, but his legacy secured.
The Union line held that day, and the tide of the battle, and indeed the war, turned irrevocably. Alonzo Cushing’s heroism at Gettysburg became a symbol of the courage and sacrifice that defined the Civil War. His actions, initially recognized by his peers and later by the nation, culminated in him being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014, 151 years after his death.
In the serene quiet of the Gettysburg battlefield today, a small marker stands where Alonzo Cushing gave his life. It is a reminder of the young officer's extraordinary courage and a testament to the enduring spirit of those who fought to preserve the Union. His story, one of bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, continues to inspire and remind us of the profound cost of freedom.
American heroes like Cushing need to be taught to American children in schools.
Sources
1. National Park Service: Alonzo Cushing - A detailed biography of Cushing’s military career and his actions at Gettysburg.
- [Link to the NPS biography](https://www.nps.gov/people/alonzo-h-cushing.htm)
2. Medal of Honor Citation for Alonzo H. Cushing - Official citation detailing the actions for which Cushing was awarded the Medal of Honor.
- [Link to the Medal of Honor citation](https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/alonzo-h-cushing)
3. Gettysburg: The Last Invasion" by Allen C. Guelzo - Provides a comprehensive account of the Battle of Gettysburg, including Cushing's role.
- [Link to the book](https://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Last-Invasion-Allen-Guelzo/dp/0307740692)
4. American Battlefield Trust: Alonzo Cushing - Overview of Cushing's contributions and legacy.
- [Link to the ABT biography](https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/alonzo-h-cushing)
Great post... but sadly. kids will never hear of Cushing an todays public child indoctrination schools. Home school pods are the answer... Just shared as a Note.