Charles Asten (born Michael Charles Asten, but served under his middle name)[2] (September 14, 1834 – September 14, 1885)[3] was a Quarter Gunner in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. Asten was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in September 1834, and he entered the United States Navy in Chicago, Illinois, during the Civil War.[1][3] In 1864, he served aboard USS Signal, a U.S. tinclad,[2] during the Red River Campaign.[1]
On May 4, 1864, USS Signal was ordered to proceed up the Red River with a bearer of dispatches from Major GeneralNathaniel Prentice Banks,[4] the commander of the UnionRed River Campaign forces. After traversing about 20 miles (32 km) on the river, USS Signal met Confederate forces, and the ensuing conflict, which also involved USS Covington and Army transport ship John Warner, continued into the night.[4] On May 5, Signal was disabled and the crew, including Asten, reluctantly abandoned the ship; having surrendered, they were captured on land.[4]
Aftermath
Asten, who had, on May 5, carried out his duties despite being on the sick list, was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864.[1]George Butts, and six other fellow Signal crew members, also received Medals of Honor for their valor during the action.[3]
Served on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the Federal ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Although on the sick list, Q.G. Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement.[1]
^ abcde"Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients - (A-L)". U.S. Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
^ abcSmith, Myron J. (2009). Tinclads in the Civil War: Union Light-Draught Gunboat Operations on Western Waters, 1862-1865. McFarland. p. 221. ISBN978-0-7864-3579-1.
^ abcd"Michael Charles Asten". Find A Grave Memorial. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
^ abcDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Vol. VI. Washington: Naval History Division Department of the Navy. 1976. p. 501.
External links
Congressional Medal of Honor Society page
March 10, 2023
charles, asten, born, michael, served, under, middle, name, september, 1834, september, 1885, quarter, gunner, united, states, navy, during, american, civil, asten, born, halifax, nova, scotia, september, 1834, entered, united, states, navy, chicago, illinois,. Charles Asten born Michael Charles Asten but served under his middle name 2 September 14 1834 September 14 1885 3 was a Quarter Gunner in the United States Navy during the American Civil War Asten was born in Halifax Nova Scotia in September 1834 and he entered the United States Navy in Chicago Illinois during the Civil War 1 3 In 1864 he served aboard USS Signal a U S tinclad 2 during the Red River Campaign 1 Charles AstenBirth nameMichael Charles AstenBorn 1834 09 14 September 14 1834Halifax Nova ScotiaDiedSeptember 14 1885 1885 09 14 aged 51 Halifax Nova ScotiaAllegiance United StatesService wbr branchUnited States NavyRankQuarter GunnerUnitUSS SignalBattles warsAmerican Civil War Red River CampaignAwardsMedal of Honor 1 Contents 1 Signal incident 2 Aftermath 3 Full citation 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksSignal incident EditOn May 4 1864 USS Signal was ordered to proceed up the Red River with a bearer of dispatches from Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks 4 the commander of the Union Red River Campaign forces After traversing about 20 miles 32 km on the river USS Signal met Confederate forces and the ensuing conflict which also involved USS Covington and Army transport ship John Warner continued into the night 4 On May 5 Signal was disabled and the crew including Asten reluctantly abandoned the ship having surrendered they were captured on land 4 Aftermath EditAsten who had on May 5 carried out his duties despite being on the sick list was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 31 1864 1 George Butts and six other fellow Signal crew members also received Medals of Honor for their valor during the action 3 Charles Asten died on September 14 1885 in Nova Scotia 2 He was interred at Saint Francis Cemetery in Providence County Rhode Island 3 Full citation EditAster s Medal of Honor citation reads as follows Served on board the U S S Signal Red River 5 May 1864 Proceeding up the Red River the U S S Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters returning their fire until the Federal ship was totally disabled at which time the white flag was raised Although on the sick list Q G Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement 1 See also Edit Biography portal American Civil War portalList of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipientsReferences Edit a b c d e Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients A L U S Army Center of Military History Retrieved 25 December 2010 a b c Smith Myron J 2009 Tinclads in the Civil War Union Light Draught Gunboat Operations on Western Waters 1862 1865 McFarland p 221 ISBN 978 0 7864 3579 1 a b c d Michael Charles Asten Find A Grave Memorial Retrieved 22 January 2011 a b c Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Vol VI Washington Naval History Division Department of the Navy 1976 p 501 External links EditCongressional Medal of Honor Society page Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charles Asten amp oldid 990439908, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
