Town Dedicates Bridge in Honor of Civil War Recipient Pvt. Frederick Charles Anderson
The Town of Dighton and Veteran’s Services are pleased to announce that the Town of Dighton has been gifted a Medal of Honor from Civil War recipient Pvt. Frederick Charles Anderson’s family and has dedicated a bridge in town in honor of his memory.
On Tuesday, March 30, the Town of Dighton hosted a Medal of Honor Presentation Ceremony and Bridge Dedication for Civil War hero Pvt. Frederick C. Anderson. The Presentation Ceremony was hosted at the Dighton Community Church cemetery at Pvt. Anderson’s gravesite.
The Town of Dighton, which is a Medal of Honor Community, was gifted Pvt. Anderson’s Medal of Honor which he received in September 1864 for his valiant service during the Civil War at the Battle of Globe Tavern.
“So many people who have never been in the armed forces don’t have the appreciation for what it takes to be awarded any decoration for military service,” Col. Bob Perry said. “The Medal of Honor requires extraordinary dedication, valor and courage while under fire. Pvt. Anderson clearly demonstrated all of those traits.”
At the Battle of Globe Tavern, Pvt. Anderson in close combat captured the flag of the 27th South Carolina Infantry Regiment and its flag bearer, effectively suspending their ability to communicate with the rest of the Confederate Army. This allowed the Union Army to turn the battle in their favor by retaking Weldon Railroad.
For this brave act, Pvt. Anderson was awarded the Medal of Honor on Sept. 13, 1864, by General George Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, during the fist presentation of such a medal for “conspicuous gallantry and good conduct displayed in capturing on the field of battle flags from the enemy.”
At the Presentation Ceremony, Sen. Marc Pacheco, Rep. Patricia Haddad, Town Administrator Michael Mullen, former Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein, Col. Bob Perry, Veterans Agent Donald Hirschy, former Veterans Agent Robert Woods, Board of Selectmen Chairman Brett Zografos, Selectman Nancy Goulart and Selectman Kenneth Pacheco were in attendance.
“It was a great honor to be part of this ceremony and to meet Pvt. Anderson’s family,” former Town Administrator Aronstein said. “Their donation of a priceless national treasure, part of the first ever issued to the U.S. Army, to the Town of Dighton is beyond generous and we’re a grateful community. I am thrilled to have been involved in this endeavor of recognizing Pvt. Anderson’s heroic actions.”
At the event, former Town Administrator Aronstein presented the Town of Dighton’s Proclamation and Certificate of Recognition for Pvt. Anderson. Sen. Pacheco also announced a joint resolution from the Massachusetts Senate that would mirror Dighton’s Proclamation to be enacted at a state level to honor Pvt. Anderson.
To read the Town of Dighton’s Proclamation and Certificate of Recognition for Pvt. Anderson, click here.
Also in attendance was Pvt. Anderson’s great-great-granddaughter Cecelia Miles and her husband from South Dakota. They presented the Medal of Honor to Col. Bob Perry during the ceremony.
Charlie Mogayzel, who died in December 2020, had found Pvt. Anderson’s grave and located Miles. Mogayzel’s family, including his wife Jeannette, daughter Diana Collette and niece Ann Bissonette were also in attendance.
“My one regret is that Mogayzel passed away before he had the opportunity to take part in the ceremony and bridge dedication in honor of Pvt. Anderson,” Veterans Agent Hirschy said. “Mogayzel was one of the town’s driving forces behind this endeavor and I wish we had the opportunity to recognize the work he did to make these events possible while he was still here.”
Following the Medal of Honor Presentation Ceremony, the Town of Dighton dedicated a bridge on 1783 Elm St. in honor of Pvt. Anderson.
“The Town of Dighton is so fortunate to be a Medal of Honor Community and to be part of American history itself,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Zografos said. “Most importantly, thank you to Pvt. Anderson and his family for their heroism, service and commitment to our country.”
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