Andrew Davidson (soldier)


Andrew Davidson was a Scottish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Davidson received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia on 30 July 1864. He was honored with the award on 17 October 1892.

Biography

Davidson was born in Morebattle, Scotland on 12 February 1840. He enlisted with the 121st New York Infantry on 23 August 1862. He was promoted to regimental Sergeant Major He was transferred to the 30th U.S. Colored Troops on 18 March 1864, where he was promoted to First Lieutenant and later Regimental Adjutant on May 1, 1864. It was in this capacity that he performed the act of gallantry on 30 July 1864 that later earned him the Medal of Honor. By 10 December 1865 when Davidson was mustered out of the service, he had been promoted to Captain and commander of Company B within his regiment.
After the war he was editor for a local newspaper, the Otsego Republican. He also served as a member of the New York State Senate from 1884 to 1885. He died on 10 November 1902 and his remains are interred at the Lakewood Cemetery in New York.

Medal of Honor citation