Awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry at Fredericksburg

Colonel of Collis's Zouaves

Document Signed

(1838-1902) Born in Ireland. Colonel of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862. Promoted to brevet brigadier general, October 28, 1864, and brevet major general, March 13, 1865. He was mustered out of service on May 29, 1865. He is buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Colonel Charles H.T. Collis at Fredericksburg: The Pennsylvania Reserves, commanded by General George G. Meade, had been repulsed and were being driven back towards the Rappahannock River. The Confederate infantry was in hot pursuit while their batteries kept up a terrible fire of shot and shell on the retreating Yankees. Just as the Rebels were about to take possession of the Union guns, Colonel Collis and his Zouaves came up on the field at the double quick time in column formation. It was a moment of supreme importance for the Union Army. If the Rebels had taken the two Federal batteries and turned them on the Union flanks, the left flank of the Army of the Potomac would have been rolled up and a serious disaster would have been imminent. Colonel Collis seized the colors of his regiment from the color sergeant and galloped with them to the front, deploying his regiment in a line of battle at the same time, and attacking the advancing enemy with the bayonet. The charge of his Zouaves was brilliant. The Rebels fell back in great confusion leaving one entire regiment in the field which was captured by Collis's Zouaves. For his conspicuous bravery Colonel Collis was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Document Signed: Ornate green certificate certifying that Charles H.T. Collis is the owner of 100 shares of Capital Stock in the Oregon and Transcontinental Company, dated May 15, 1889. Signed in ink by the President of the company. Vignette of Indian braves at center. Cut cancelled. Signed in ink on the reverse, Charles H.T. Collis. Very fine.

The 114th Pennsylvania Infantry, known as "Collis's Zouaves," saw action at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, in the Bristoe campaign, the Mine Run campaign, the Rapidan campaign, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg to name but a few places.