Benjamin McAlwee
Hi. Below is an excerpt from a family history written by my great-grandfather. Please let me know if any of you know more about this line. My great-great-grandmother, Margaret Jane McAlwee of Washington DC, the brother of Benjamin and James below, married George Franklin Barrett on Nov. 13, 1855. They are supposed to be buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in DC. My sister wants to know if they are related to a George McAlwee whom she saw on a civil war website.
-------------------------------------------------------
Mr Benjamin F. McAlwee, who has a splendid record as a soldier in the Civil War, in which he served four years and three months.
The subjoined newspaper clipping gives but a hint of the perils he passed strength during his military service.
He claims to have been under fire more than forty times.
His service was in Co B First D.C. Volunteers, and Co D Third Marylnad Veteran Volunteers (Inf.)
[clip]
A Medal of Honor Man.
On the watch force of the treasury is
Benjamin F. McAlwee, who wears a con-
gressional medal of honor for gallantry in
action before Petersburg, Va., July 20, 1864.
Mr. McAlwee was born in the District of
Columbia January 7, 1838, and left lucrative
employment in the Washington navy yard
April 17, 1861, to enlist in Company B, 1st
District of Columbia Volunteers, for three
months.Upon the expiration of this time
he enlisted in Company D, 3d Maryland
Veteran Volunteer Infantry.At the end of
three years he again enlisted, serving un-
til July 31, 1865.He was awarded a special
furlough of twenty-five days by order of
General Meade for soldierly conduct and
bravery.At the explosion of the mine in
front of Petersburg, July 30, 1864, Sergeant
McAlwee was in command of his company.
The color bearer, a soldier named McCabe,
was killed.Sergeant McAlwee seized the
colors and kept them at the same time
continuing his command of the company.
He is now (1912) and has been foryears a watchman in the U.S. Treasury Department.
Still another, a brother of the preceding, Mr James McAlwee was a soldier in the U.S. Regular Army.He was at one time orderly to Gen. W.T. Sherman.
He was killed during an engagement with Indians subsequent to the Civil War.
More Replies:
-
Re: Benjamin McAlwee
Ann Hancock 9/06/08