“You hold the musket for the last time.From May 1861 to August 1865,we are a part of the history of the Republic.The very number of the regiment was prophetic;for twenty-nine battles will be inscribed on the flag which we carry.” (HQ,29th Infantry,03 August 1865)
Conrad Homan on the left (circa 1918-1919)
Conrad Homan was born on 27 February 1840. His family moved to Framingham from Roxbury at the turn of the century (circa 1902).They lived in Saxonville (Grove Street).Conrad enlisted in the Union Army in Boston in May of 1861.He mustered out of the 29th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment in July of 1865 while they were encamped in Maryland.Conrad began the war as a Private and departed as a First Lieutenant (Date of Rank 06 May 1865).
The 29th Massachusetts had an impressive Civil War combat record,fighting in several key battles. This storied unit participated in the Battles of Hampton Roads (VA, 1862), Antietam (MD, 1862),Richmond (VA, 1862),Vicksburg (MS, 1863), Knoxville (TN, 1863) and Petersburg (VA, 1864-65).In total,the command participated in 29 major actions and many skirmishes, picket fights and artillery duels.Conrad was wounded twice;once in 1863 and once in 1864.A few of Homan’s wartime letters,now in possession of a private collector, indicate Homan personally took part in 23 battles (Source: Homan, Conrad (21) (2).jpg Cyle Kostello; 06 May 2022).His performance was exemplary,his courage undeniable.
On 30 July 1864,Conrad was serving as the acting Color Sergeant at the Battle of the Crater near Petersburg,Virginia.The Regiment’s history indicates:
“At about seven o’clock,an advance was ordered upon the enemy, in all directions.Battery Eleven was soon retaken by our men, Conrad Homan,the color-bearer of the Twenty-ninth,being the first man who entered the works;and for his distinguished gallantry on this occasion,was promoted to be First Lieutenant,and received one of the medals of honor voted by Congress.”
The Medal of Honor
Civil War Medal of Honor
In late 1861,President Lincoln signed two bills creating “medals of honor” to be presented to enlisted personnel who "distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action,and other soldier-like qualities" during the Civil War.This was later amended to include the officer corps.A total of 2,200 were authorized for Army and Navy personnel.In total,the government presented 1,523 Medals of Honor to recipients who served during Civil War.Of the 1,523 medals, 1,198 were to soldiers and 324 were to sailors or marines.Only 44 were awarded to Massachusetts Civil War soldiers and sailors.Conrad received his Medal of Honor on June 3, 1869.
Here, it is important to note that military “colors” had a significantly different importance during the Civil War. Regimental flags played a major role in communications and troop movement during the din of battle.Loss of a flag meant troop confusion, tactical disarray, and could lead to disaster. Additionally,the flags were a symbol of great pride and patriotism to the soldiers.Flag capture often brought low morale and shame to the unit.A "stand of colors" for a regiment consisted of two flags,the Stars and Stripes and a state flag or regimental banner.These two were flown side by side on the march and in the battle.They were each carried by an unarmed sergeant,called a "Color Sergeant" with six or eight armed Corporals for protection--giving us the term "Color Guard." Each member of a color guard was selected by his regimental commander based on demonstrated courage and steadiness under fire.All were instructed not to engage in combat unless the flags were in immediate danger of capture.It was a great honor to be chosen for either of these positions. It was,however,not without danger.The enemy took great pains to shoot down the colors.
The year 1869 was good to Conrad.He received his Medal of Honor and married Margaret Hoffman (1843-1906).He began receiving his well-earned Civil War pension on 08 June 1892.He lived in Framingham until his death in 1922.He was laid to rest in Edwards Cemetery in Saxonville.He remained active in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) for many years.The G.A.R. was a prominent Civil War Veterans fraternal,charitable and political lobbying organization.Its membership reached its peak in 1890,when over 400,000 members were enrolled.The last member of the National G.A.R passed away in 1956.Albert J. Brown, Framingham’s last Civil War veteran, died 16 February 1942 at 95.
The State of Massachusetts monument at Petersburg, VA
Conrad Homan Gravemarker
Image: Author
Sources
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
National Park Service
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Records Project
“The History of the Twenty-ninth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Late War of the Rebellion,” William H. Osborne, 1877
“The Union Army; a History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States, 1861-65 -- Records of the Regiments in the Union Army -- Cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers,” Madison (WI) Federal Publishing Company, 1908
US Army Center of Military History
US Department of Veterans Affairs
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