Sgt. Andrew Symmes Bryant - Springfield, MA - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

Andrew Symmes Bryant was born in Springfield, MA on March 03, 1841 and entered into the Union Army from Springfield, MA. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Civil War at the Battle of New Bern, North Carolina on May 23, 1863. He died in Springfield, MA on October 06, 1931. His grave is located in a family plot east side of the far north end of Springfield Cemetery.

Sergeant Andrew Bryant was awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership, valor, courage and judicious disposition of his guard of sixteen men at the battle of New Bern, NC. New Bern was militarily significant because the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad which connected the coast to the interior passed through the city. Sgt. Bryant's men were stationed in a small earthwork at the head of the bridge. They defended their position were able to repulse for a half hour a strong attack by a superior force of the Confederate soldiers. Their action was instrumental in saving the city New Bern from capture. New Bern came under control of the Union Army where is remained for the duration of the war.

The grave of Sgt. Andrew Symmes Bryant is marked by a granite headstone similar to and flanked by those of family members and a bronze Medal of Honor plaque set at ground level.

The granite family headstone is inscribed:

ANDREW SYMMES
BRYANT
MARCH 3, 1841
OCTOBER 6, 1931

The bronze Medal of Honor plaque has an image of the Medal of Honor and the inscription:

ANDREW SYMMES BRYANT
MEDAL OF HONOR
SGT 46 MASS INF
CIVIL WAR
MAR 3 1841 OCT 6 1931

Citation from the Center of Military History website. LINK

BRYANT, ANDREW S.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 46th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At New Bern, N.C., 23 May 1863. Entered service at: Massachusetts. Born: 3 March 1841, Springfield, Mass. Date of issue: 13 August 1873. Citation: By his courage and judicious disposition of his guard of 16 men, stationed in a small earthwork at the head of the bridge, held in check and repulsed for a half hour a fierce attack of a strong force of the enemy, thus probably saving the city New Bern from capture.

Armed Service: Army

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