Pvt. Fredrick Nelson Deland - Great Barrington, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 11.023 W 073° 21.983
18T E 634904 N 4671466
The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Fredrick Nelson Deland is located in Mahaiwe Cemetery in Great Barrington, MA.
Waymark Code: WMH2FT
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 05/11/2013
Views: 6
Fredrick Nelson Deland was born on December 25, 1843 at Sheffield, MA. He entered in the US Army from Great Barrington, MA and served during the Civil War with Company B of the 49th Massachusetts Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on May 27, 1863 at Port Hudson, LA. He died at age 78 on August 23, 1922 and is buried in Mahaiwe Cemetery in Great Barrington, MA.
The Home of Heroes website describes what happened that day:
Link
"When the Union forces were attacking at Port Hudson, Louisiana, on May 27, 1863, the advance approached a ditch which presented a serious obstacle in the assault on the enemy works. When volunteers were requested to go forward under enemy fire and fill the ditch with fascines in order to facilitate the attack, Private Frederick Deland volunteered and bravely set to that task, earning the Medal of Honor for his actions. Sergeant James Strong, Corporal Francis Warren, and Private Henry Johns also received Medals of Honor for volunteering in this hazardous advance."
His citation reads
"Volunteered in response to a call and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, advanced and assisted in filling with fascines a ditch which presented a serious obstacle to the troops attempting to take the works of the enemy by assault."
A white marble gravestone has inscribed in the center of a shield the image of the Medal of Honor and the following inscription in gold lettering:
FREDRICK N DELAND
MEDAL OF HONOR
CO B
49 MASS INF
Below the shield are the dates:
DEC 25 1843
AUG 23 1922
The family headstone is inscribed:
FREDRICK NELSON DELAND
DECEMBER 25, 1843
AUGUST 23, 1922
ELIZABETH ENSIGN SMITH
HIS WIFE
NOVEMBER 23, 1840
JANUARY 4, 1916