Thomas W. Bradley

Thomas Wilson Bradley
Thomas W. Bradley, Medal of Honor Recipient, Member of Congress from New York, 1908.
Born	April 6, 1844 Yorkshire, England
Died	May 30, 1920 (aged 76) Walden, New York
Place of burial	Wallkill Valley Cemetery Walden, New York
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	Union Army New York National Guard
Years of service	1862 - 1865
Rank	Captain Brevet Major (Army) Colonel (National Guard)
Unit	124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Chancellorsville
Awards	Medal of Honor
Other work	Politician, businessman and banker

Thomas Wilson Bradley (April 6, 1844 – May 30, 1920) was a United States Representative from New York and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography

Born in Yorkshire, England, Bradley immigrated to the United States in 1846 with his parents, who settled in Walden, New York. He attended school until nine years of age, and then began working for his family's business, the New York Knife Company, as a "shop boy."

Bradley enlisted in the Army from Walden in August 1862, advanced to become a sergeant, and later received a commission. After the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was promoted to captain and became the aide-de-camp to Major General Gershom Mott, 3rd Division, II Corps. He later received a brevet promotion to major of Volunteers. Bradley was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of the Wilderness, and the Battle of Boydton Plank Road, and was mustered out with his regiment in June 1865.^[1] After the war Bradley was active in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and other veterans organizations and reunion societies. Bradley also continued his military service as assistant inspector general of the New York National Guard with the rank of lieutenant colonel, later receiving promotion to colonel.

Bradley was a member of the New York State Assembly (Orange Co., 1st D.) in 1876; and a delegate to the 1892, 1896 and 1900 Republican National Conventions.

Bradley was elected as a Republican to the 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st and 62nd United States Congresss, holding office from March 4, 1903, to March 4, 1913.

Bradley was a member of the board of directors, vice president and president of the Walden National Bank. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Columbus Trust Company and the Walden Savings Bank. Bradley was employed by the New York Knife Company for more than 50 years, and rose through the company's ranks to become president and treasurer.

Bradley died in Walden, New York, at age 76 and was interred there in Wallkill Valley Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

He received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 3, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Place and date: At Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Entered service at: Walden, N.Y. Born: April 6, 1844, England. Date of issue: June 10, 1896.

Citation:

Volunteered in response to a call and alone, in the face of a heavy fire of musketry and canister, went and procured ammunition for the use of his comrades.^[2]

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F

Notes

1. Regimental roster
2. "Civil War Medal of Honor recipients (A-L)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-06-06.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Thomas W. Bradley at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2007-11-07

External links

• Thomas W. Bradley at Find a Grave