24th Michigan
MEDAL OF HONOR
Almost ... coulda been .... shoulda been - Recipient
(Only man "almost" so honored)
* Please contact me with any information (photo, ancestry, descendants/relatives, etc.)
Don Strube - 7th-wis@charter.net
Edwards, Albert M. (Field & Staff)
Born: 1835 (Maine) - Died: Unknown
Residence at time of enlistment: Detroit, MI
Enlisted: April 16, 1861 into Co. K of the 1st MI Infantry as a Captain
Transferred: August 15, 1862 into Co. F of the 24th MI Infantry
Promotion: Major - November 22, 1863
Promotion: Lieutenant Colonel - June 9, 1864
Promotion: Colonel - March 13, 1865 by Brevet
POW: 1st Bull Run, VA - July 21, 1861 (Exchanged on May 20, 1862)
Comanding Regiment: July 1863 to February 1863 - and - January 25, 1865 to March 1865
Mustered Out: June 30, 1865 as a Colonel
(What "coulda, shoulda been" his)
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on May 5, 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
"While his unit (24th MI) charged the enemy ... capturing 300 prisoners,
Major Albert M. Edwards secured the flag of the 48th Virginia from a Confererate
color-bearer."

By the criteria commonly used in the Civil War,
capturing a Confederate battle flag "coulda, shoulda" entitled
Major Edwards to a Medal of Honor.