DOB/DOD: January 27, 1843 (Waterbury, CT) – October 4, 1886 (Waterbury, CT); 43 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
ENLISTMENT: January 13, 1864, in Waterbury, Connecticut
DISCHARGE: August 2, 1865
FAMILY: Born to Michael (1805-1866) and Ann Delaney Neville (1807-1877). Brothers, Timothy (1837-1898), Matthew F. (1846-1909), and John J. (1850-1936). One sister, Margaret Neville Dougherty (1841-1910).
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Civil War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Army
UNIT: Company C, 1st Connecticut Cavalry
DATE OF ISSUE AND PRESENTATION: May 3, 1865
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 22
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Cavalry) Edwin Michael Neville, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 6 April 1865, while serving with Company C, 1st Connecticut Cavalry, in action at Deatonsville (Sailor’s Creek), Virginia, for the capture of flag.
The photo is courtesy of the Mattatuck Historical Society. Gift of Timothy Sample, in memory of his uncle, Edwin Lawrence Clark, 2019. The Mattatuck Historical Society is forever grateful to the following individuals and organizations who contributed to the donation and conservation of his medal and creation of a period-correct replacement ribbon — Timothy and Jan Sample, Frank Monterio, Drew International, Kathryn Tarlenton and Charlotte Hamlin of ConText Inc., and Susan Holbrook of Holbrook & Hawes.
From The Town and City of Waterbury
Edwin Michael Neville, second son of Michael and Ann (Delaney) Neville, was born in Waterbury on January 27, 1843. After a course at the High school, he entered St. John’s College, Fordham, New York, in September 1859 and continued his studies there until 1862. At the age of eighteen, he went to visit his brother, Timothy F. Neville, at Providence, and while there, enlisted in the Third Regiment of Rhode Island Infantry under Col. Welcome B. Sayles. After a few months service, he was discharged for disability, as it was thought he could not live. On his recovery, he joined the First Connecticut Cavalry as Second Lieutenant and was soon after promoted to captaincy. To have been a soldier in this regiment was in itself equivalent to a brilliant record, as it was engaged with the enemy, in some way, over ninety times, and suffered loss at the enemy’s hands, in killed, wounded, or missing, on over eighty different occasions. The place of the regiment was with Sheridan, in the division commanded by Wilson and afterward by Custer. It fought cavalry, infantry, and artillery in the field and behind breastworks, and its capture of prisoners, guns, and flags was very considerable. It was detailed to escort Gen. Grant when he went to receive Lee’s surrender. When mustered out, it was allowed to return to its state-mounted, a privilege granted to no other regiment in the service. Captain Neville was on Custer’s staff and fought under Sheridan, who said that he was one of the bravest soldiers under him.
The spirit of the man is revealed in such testimonials as the following, tenderly cherished by his kindred:
Headquarters First Connecticut Cavalry
Ashland, Virginia, March 15, 1865.
Captain E. M. Neville, Commanding Squadron.
Captain: The gallant manner and noble bearing of yourself and men on today’s reconnaissance, under the trying circumstances and position in which you were placed, call from your commanding officer his thanks and hearty approbation. Please obtain for us a nominal list of the men who were actually under the infantry fire.
I am, Captain, very respectfully, etc.,
E. W. Whitaker.
Lieutenant Colonel commanding First Connecticut Cavalry.
Another occasion on which he exhibited marked bravery was at the battle of Sailor’s Creek on April 6, 1865, in which he captured one of the enemy’s flags. The recognition his services at that time received is recorded in the following communication:
War Department, Adjutant-General’s Office.
Washington, May 3, 1865.
Sir: Herewith I enclose the Medal of Honor which has been awarded you by the Secretary of War, under the Resolution of Congress, approved July 12, 1862, “to provide for the presentation of Medals of Honor to the enlisted men of the army and volunteer forces who have distinguished or may distinguish themselves in battle during the present rebellion.” Please acknowledge its receipt.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. A. Nichols,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Captain Edwin M. Neville,
Co. H, First Connecticut Cavalry.
Captain Neville’s name is frequently mentioned in the history of the regiment to which he belonged. After the war, he was adjutant-general on General Kellogg’s staff in 1867 and 1868 and adjutant of the Sixty-ninth New York regiment, National Guard, under Colonel Kavanagh, in 1871 and 1872. He also received a testimonial as “Companion of the first class” from the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States for having been especially distinguished “for faithful service in maintaining the honor, integrity, and supremacy of the government of the United States,” dated November 7, 1870, signed by Gen. Cadwalader, commander-in-chief.
In 1869, he went to Paris as an agent for the Remington Firearms Company to sell arms to the French government. He negotiated a large contract and was ready to leave the city when he found it in a state of siege and was one of a few who escaped in a balloon. On returning home, he studied law in the office of his brother, T. F. Neville, and was admitted to the New York bar in June 1872. He was successful in his practice and continued it until his last illness. He died in Waterbury on October 4, 1886, and was buried here with military honors.
From the Hartford Courant October 6, 1886
Captain Edwin M. Neville, formerly of Waterbury, died at that place on Monday, aged 44. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Cavalry and afterward was recruited as a company for the First Connecticut Cavalry. He served through the war and, near its close, was appointed to General Custer’s staff. After the war, he was sent for some time in Hartford as one of the staff of the Post. He then studied law. The American says: “He was admitted to the bar at the general term in New York City in 1872. He applied himself closely to the practice of his profession in New York after being admitted and had been engaged in many important cases. He was one of the American officers who left Paris in a balloon during the Franco-Prussian War, he having gone there in the interest of an American company dealing firearms. His war record was a good one. Congress voted him a medal for his brave capture of a rebel flag during a skirmish, and his bravery was heartily commended by his comrades. Captain Neville was a member of the Loyal Legion of New York, had been Adjutant of the Sixty-Ninth Regiment, New York militia, and was a member of General Kellogg’s staff in the old Connecticut brigade. He was also an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.”
From the Morning Journal-Courier (New Haven, Connecticut) October 8, 1886
FUNERAL OF CAPTAIN NEVILLE.
The funeral of Captain Edwin M. Neville of New York City took place from the residence of his sister, Mrs. T. D. Doherty, at 70 N. Main Street Waterbury, to the Catholic church of the Immaculate Conception, at 9:30 a.m. yesterday. The remains were enclosed in a very neat broadcloth-covered casket with silver handles and trimmings. The house was crowded with sympathizing neighbors and friends, including many out-of-town people, and not a few who had enjoyed the friendship of the deceased since boyhood. There was a profusion of flowers, including a very beautiful wreath from Dr. A. McDonald, medical superintendent of the insane at Ward’s Island (N. Y.). The G. A. R. was represented at the funeral by an escort under Commander Oscar W. Cornish, and the Loyal Legion of New York by Captain D. B. Hamilton and Major F. A. Spencer. The pallbearers were Captain D. B. Hamilton, John O’Neill, Jr., Thomas Donahue, Major Keefe of New Haven, and Majors Bannon and Spencer of Waterbury. The interment was in the family lot at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
The family are in receipt of numerous telegrams of condolence touching upon the death of Captain Neville, which to many of his associates in New York City was a complete surprise. They bear the signatures of ex-Judge George M. Curtis, Colonel Hatch, Dr. A. W. McDonald, Major J. J. Hagerty of the New York Assembly, Thomas J. Montgomery of the Bash Electric Light company, Major McGrath of the Twenty-second regiment and Frederick Uhlman of the stock board, all of New York, and the Rev. J. J. McCabe and the Rev. J. J. Creedon, pastors at Providence and Moosup, Rhode Island.
The deceased was about twenty years ago connected with the Hartford Post and an officer on the staff of General Kellogg when the latter was commander of the brigade, of which the Second regiment formed a part. He was well known, and his friendship was treasured by many friends in this city. His genial, kindly disposition and warm heart gave him a host of friends.
Honored with a monument in Veterans Memorial Park, 1892 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, Connecticut. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
Buried in Old St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 480 Hamilton Avenue, Waterbury, Connecticut; Section D, top of the hill. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
END