Isaac Harrison Carman was my Great-great Grandfather. The following is an account of his actions at Vicksburg, MS during the Civil War.
"The Golden Years" by B. E. Kelley, a featured writer in the local paper, the "Record Herald" published at Washington, Court House, Fayette County, Ohio. October 10, 1959 Article "Medals of Honor for Local Soldiers"
Two Fayette County soldiers in the Civil War were awarded the Congressional Medals of Honor for extraordinary deeds of valor during that conflict.
They were Cpl. Isaac H. Carman of the 48th Ohio Infantry, and the other was Cpl. Henry Casey, 20th Ohio Volunters.
I knew both these men well but they never discussed their part in the war which brought them distinction- a distinction shared only by 1400 others down through the years until the Spanish American War when only 25 of the medals were issued.
Isaac Carman, lived near Jasper, and was a well known farmer, corn breeder, and poultry raiser. He orginated Carman's Corn, and always took a prominent part in Farmers Institutes and other rural gatherings....
I HAVE A more complete record of Carman's valorous deed. It is from the government archives. The story as told by Cpl. Carman follows:
"At ten o'clock a.m. May 22, at Vicksburg, our brigade captured a fort, together with numerous prisoners. The colors of the 48th Ohio and 77th Illinois Infantry were ordered planted on the fort, which was done".
"We were then in a very desperate situation, and, in addition to the enemy's fire, received some of the shells of our own batteries, which fell short of their mark".
"To relieve myself somewhat of this uncomfortable situation, I unfixed by bayonet and dug a little trench near the top of the works, close by our flag".
"An Illinois man crawled beneath me into the excavation caused by a shell. We arranged that he should reload our guns, while I continued firing at the enemy whenever one of them would come within range. This lasted for several hours, when, the rebels brought a battery to bear on my position, and, for some time the shells were singing their song dangerously near my head".
"A little later the enemy began massing troops at this point. I was able to distinctly hear their commands and see their numerous bayonets".
"I noticed that our men were some distance behind, in the ditch, but determined to rescue the flag, so I rushed back".
"I seized it none too soon, for the terrific assault came sooner than I had expected".
"I reached the top of the bastion and grasped the Ohio flag The Illinois standard could not be saved".
"How I got down and paced the hundred feet to our ditch, through the tremendous fire, I cannot tell".
"In my great haste I ran right into the bayonet of one of our own company, who was then in charging position, driving its entire length into my right leg and thigh".
"Although I almost dropped into a faint, I had enough presence of mind to fun the shaft of the flag into the dust and hang on to it. My comrades pulled me down into their ditch and got the bayonet out of my leg, then I was taken to the rear".
Besides the exploit which Cpl Carman here described, he also saved the lives of a number of his comrades by seizing a shell with a burning fuse, and throwing it back to the rebels, Whence it came, slaughtering them with their own weapon of death. Cpl. Carman was the father of A.G. (Boss) Carman of near Jasper.
