DOB/DOD: December 15, 1829 (County Westmeath, Ireland) – October 15, 1889 (Sprague, CT); 60 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Catherine Spratt (1836-1912) on November 24, 1852, in Blackstone, Massachusetts.
CHILDREN: Four sons, Joseph T. (1863-1943), John (1859-1939), James (1861-?), and Thomas E. (1874-1964). Five daughters, Anna J. Flynn Craig (1863-1939), Catherine V. Flynn Welch (1865-1942), Sarah C. (1868-?), Teresa (1872-?), and Marie E. Flynn Finnup (1873-1952).
ENLISTMENT: August 12, 1862, in Connecticut.
DISCHARGE: Mustered out on May 31, 1865, at Alexandria, Virginia.
OTHER: Wounded on May 10, 1964, at Laurel Hill, Virginia.
FAMILY: According to his death certificate, he was born to Michael Flynn and Ann Cosgrave. Their exact details are unknown.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Civil War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Army
UNIT: Company K, 14th Connecticut Infantry
DATE OF ISSUE: December 1, 1864
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 34
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Christopher Flynn, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 3 July 1863, while serving with Company K, 14th Connecticut Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for capture of flag of 52nd North Carolina Infantry (Confederate States of America).
Presentation Date and Details: December 6, 1864, by Major General George G. Meade, at a review of the 2nd Army Corps Headquarters, Peebles’ House, near Petersburg, Virginia.
From the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Regimental History
… The men, now careless of shelter, stood erect and, with loud shouts, continued to fire into the retreating army as long as they were within range. Many of the retreating columns lay down behind stones and hillocks, and even the dead bodies of their comrades, to be protected from the Union shots. Presently. As by one common impulse, bits of white cloth and handkerchiefs were waved as signals of surrender. In response to these signals, our men leaped over the wall and advanced toward the retreating foe. When they reached the point where the enemy’s advance had halted, rebels wounded and unwounded in large numbers rose up and surrendered themselves. One of the first to leap over the wall was Corporal Christopher Flynn of Company K, who, advancing far down toward the retreating line, picked up a battle flag that they had dropped in their flight. Corporal E.W. Bacon of Company F also seized the flag of the Sixteenth North Carolina. Several others were subsequently picked up, making five in all, which were credited to the regiment. The claim has also been made that six flags were captured, although Major Ellis speaks of only five in this official report. Some have claimed that the sixth flag was a beautiful silk flag, which was not given to the proper officers. Major Hincks, Corporal Flynn of Company K, and Corporal Bacon of Company F afterward received the United States Medal of Honor for deeds of special bravery.
Buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 183 Willimantic Road, Sprague, Connecticut; Southwest corner; photos by Jeff DeWitt.
END