| Show M tt kt t I 1 the first volunteer j im am M abat fr HE first volunteer for the civil war was dr charles F rand hand of washington D C A certificate in the capitol of oc now new york state at tests teats the priority of dr rands tender of hla his services this certificate la Is signed by the mayor and two prominent citizens of 0 Ba batavia tavla N Y and also alao by the county clerk and the sheriff of genesee county stating that in less than ten minutes after the call for troops by president lincoln april 15 1881 for men inen the name of charles F rand was enrolled as a soldier among the war records at washington there Is none of an earlier en list ment than that of dr rand and the honor has therefore been given him by common consent not only was dr rand tho the first volunteer tor for the civil war but was also the first soldier to win t congressional medal of honor tor for d gallantry in action tola this event occurred at blackburns blackburnn Black burns ford va in less than three months after ter hla enlistment ills command was ordered to retreat and every man obeyed save young rand at the time but IS 18 years yeara of age the rest of his battalion of men was swept in disorder from the field but rand held his ground despite the fact that the field was plowed by shot and shell all about him the enemy finally absolutely sol refused to fire at the boy standing bravely alone and firing at them as coolly as if he had a regiment at his back rand hand then crept across the field and a deep ravine ind and joined the command of gen A it II barnum the congressional medal of honor was not instituted until a year later and the first one struck ott off was presented to rand for his distinguished gallantry on that memorable day at blackburns blackburnn Black burns ford |
