* The rank of Second Class Boy is for boys aged 15 to 17 rated as such on entry to a training ship. Such entry was conditional on a boy’s adequate physical height, weight, medical fitness, and evidence of being of ‘good character.’
DOB/DOD: March 1, 1847 (Bridgeport, CT) – October 23, 1906 (Noroton Heights, CT); 59 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Eva Husted (1869-1957).
CHILDREN: One son, Russell O. (1903-1905).
ENLISTMENT: January 24, 1862, in New York City at 15 years old.
FAMILY: Born to William (1809-1885) and Caroline Sherwood Peck (1816-1896). Three sisters, Julia (1839-), Harriet E. (1844-), and Mary Caroline (1851-). Two brothers, Elias S. (1842-1921) and Albert M. (1853-).
OTHER: He is the youngest to be awarded the Medal of Honor from Connecticut.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Civil War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Navy
ASSIGNED TO: U.S.S. Varuna
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 11 (April 3, 1863)
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 15
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Class Boy Oscar E. Peck, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Second Class Boy on board the U.S.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, Louisiana, 24 April 1862. Acting as powder boy of the after rifle, Second Class Boy Peck served gallantly while the Varuna was repeatedly attacked and rammed and finally sunk. This was an extremely close-range action, and although badly damaged, the Varuna delivered shells abaft the Morgan’s armor.
From The New York Times September 1, 1862
Some months since, the writer of this suggested, through the columns of a contemporary, that some of the appointments at West Point and the Naval Academy should be made from the soldiers and sailors who were distinguishing themselves in this war. The bill for the organization of the Naval Academy was so changed as to allow the President to choose three. He has done so. Here is the record of one. F.A. ROE, Executive officer of the United States ship Pensacola at New Orleans, reports thus to Capt. MORRIS, date April 30:
“I must make special mention of THOMAS FLOOD, (boy) who acted as my aid on the bridge. He was swept from my side along with the signal quartermaster, MURRY, who had his leg shot away by a shell which burst near them. FLOOD, finding himself unhurt on the deck below the bridge, assisted the signal quartermaster to get below. After getting him into the hands of the Surgeon, FLOOD promptly returned to my side and assisted me very materially by taking the duties of signal quartermaster upon himself. This duty he performed with the coolness, exactitude, and fidelity of a veteran seaman. I cannot speak too warmly of FLOOD and would be glad to see him appointed a midshipman in the Navy. His intelligence and gentle character arc of a high order.”
Here is the record of another boy who did not get appointed. It is the report of Captain BOGGS, of the Varuna, in the same fight:
“I would particularly commend to the notice of the Department OSCAR PECK, second-class boy and powder boy of the after rifle, whose coolness and intrepidity attracted the attention of all hands. A fit reward for such services would be an appointment at the Naval School.”
We hope that a similar rule will be adopted in West Point and that the places not filled from the rebel districts may be filled by the loyal young soldiers now fighting In the Union ranks, volunteer or regular, with no preference but that of merit.
The question has often been asked – how is it that the Navy makes so much more progress than the Army? The answer is simple enough. No person is commissioned for the lowest grade of command unless he has some knowledge, through practice, as a sailor. That, of course, has taught him some discipline and the necessity of coolness in danger. But the army appointments are made even of the higher grades of stumping lawyers, without any military knowledge, and under Mr. CAMERON, the grossest favoritism and nepotism prevailed, so much so that Mr. STANTON was obliged to issue an order running into the other extreme, which I may comment on another time. G.W.B.
Spring Grove Cemetery / Veterans Cemetery, monument at the main flagpole in honor of Oscar Peck. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
The inscription reads: Civil War; In Memory Of; Oscar E. Peck; Dedicated – 2012; Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient; Powder Boy – U.S. Navy – U.S. Varuna; “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.”
Buried in Spring Grove / Veterans Cemetery, 41 Hecker Avenue, Darien, Connecticut; Veterans Section. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
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