Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Artist:
Merritt & VanWagner, active c. 1886 - ?  Search this
Sitter:
Christian Abraham Fleetwood, 1840 - 1914  Search this
Medium:
Albumen silver print
Dimensions:
Image/Sheet: 14.7 × 9.8 cm (5 13/16 × 3 7/8")
Mount: 16.4 × 10.8 cm (6 7/16 × 4 1/4")
Type:
Photograph
Place:
United States\District of Columbia
Date:
c. 1890
Exhibition Label:
Born Baltimore, Maryland
Sergeant Major Christian Fleetwood was one of the first African Americans to be awarded the Medal of Honor. In September 1864, as the Union army struggled to advance on the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, Fleetwood and 1,100 soldiers of the Fourth United States Colored Troops received orders to attack southern forces entrenched at New Market Heights. Under withering enemy fire that decimated his brigade and cut down its color guard, he risked his life to keep the U.S. flag from falling into Confederate hands. In recognition of this conspicuous act of bravery, Fleetwood received nation’s highest military award.
Nacido en Baltimore, Maryland
El sargento mayor Christian Fleetwood fue uno de los primeros afroamericanos en recibir la Medalla de Honor. En septiembre de 1864, mientras el ejército norteño de la Unión pugnaba por avanzar contra Richmond, Virginia, la capital de la Confederación sureña, Fleetwood y 1,100 soldados de la Cuarta Tropa de Personas de Color de Estados Unidos recibieron órdenes de atacar a las fuerzas sureñas atrincheradas en New Market Heights. Bajo el fuego aniquilante del enemigo que diezmó su brigada y arrasó con la escolta del estandarte, Fleetwood arriesgó su vida para impedir que la bandera de Estados Unidos cayera en manos confederadas. En reconocimiento de este acto insigne de valentía, recibió el más alto galardón militar de la nación.
Topic:
Costume\Headgear\Hat\Cap  Search this
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache  Search this
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Goatee  Search this
Interior\Studio\Photography  Search this
Photographic format\Cabinet card  Search this
Christian Abraham Fleetwood: Male  Search this
Christian Abraham Fleetwood: Military and Intelligence\Army\Soldier  Search this
Christian Abraham Fleetwood: Medal of Honor  Search this
Portrait  Search this
Credit Line:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Object number:
NPG.2015.92
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location:
Currently not on view
Data Source:
National Portrait Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4a21fc335-ca61-4c4e-a61f-62dc5932c20f
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:npg_NPG.2015.92