The Early Years

Horace Capron, Jr, son of Horace Capron & Louisa Victoria Snowden, was born on 27 Oct 1839 and baptized on 20 Sept 1846 in St Philips Parish, Prince George's, Maryland, United States.

In 1850, Horace Capron (aka Capson)., age ten, resided with his father Horace Capron, Sr. (aka Capson), the head of household and his brother Albert R. in Vansville, Prince George's, Maryland, United States. In addition, there were two servants that were residents in the household.  By 1860, Horace, age twenty and a Farmer, had relocated to Illinois with his father Horace, the head of household and a Farmer. Horace's stepmother Margaret maintained the household and raised his siblings, Elizabeth and Osmand T., from his father's first marriage in Jubilee Township, Peoria, Illinois, United States. In addition, his adult brother Albert, a Farmer, and two servants were also residents in the household.

The Civil War

Horace Capron, Jr., a resident of Peoria, Illinois, United States, enlisted in the Union Army for three years as a Corporal on 14 Sep 1861. Horace was described as 5'8", hair light, eyes blue, light complexion. On 18 Sep 1861, Corporal Capron was assigned to the 8th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G. On 17 Nov 1862, he was discharged because he was promoted to Sergeant.

On 7 Jan 1863, Sergeant Capron received his commission as a First Lieutenant and was reassigned to his father's command (Brig-Gen (brevet) Horace Capron, Sr.), the 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company A.

On 6 Feb 1864, Lieutenant Capron was mortally wounded at Blount County, Tennessee, United States, and died the same day. First Lieutenant Horace Capron, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on 27 Sep 1865. Medal of Honor Recipient Lieutenant Capron was buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria, Illinois.

Civil War Engagements with the 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment (Organized: St. Charles, Illinois, United States on 18 Sep 1861; Mustered out: 17 Jul 1865):

Battle of Williamsburg, 5 May 1862, York County, James City County, and Williamsburg, Virginia, United States, Inconclusive, Confederate withdrawal to Richmond

Battle of Seven Pines, (aka Battle of Sharpsburg), 17 Sep 1862, Washington County, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, United States, Inconclusive Victory

Battle of Antietam, (aka Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station), 31 May-1 Jun 1862, Henrico County, Virginia, United States, Union victory

Battle of Fredericksburg, 11-15 Dec 1862, Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States, Confederate victory

Civil War Engagements with the 14th Illinois Cavalry Regiment (Organized: Peoria, Illinois, United States on 7 Jan 1863; Mustered out: 31 Jul 1865):

Battle of Buffington Island, (aka St. Georges Creek Skirmish), 19 Jul 1863, Portland, Ohio, and Buffington Island, West Virginia, United States, Union victory

Siege of Knoxville, (aka St. Georges Creek Skirmish), 19 Nov-4 Dec 1863, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, Union victory

Lieutenant Horace Capron, Jr. fought in the American Civil War. Lieutenant Capron received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his extraordinary heroism in action at Chickahominy & Ashland, Virginia, United States in Jun 1862 while serving in the 8th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G.

President Andrew Jackson of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Horace Capron, Jr., United States Army, on 27 Sep 1865 for extraordinary heroism in June, 1862, while serving with Company G, 8th Illinois Cavalry, in action at Chickahominy & Ashland, Virginia, for gallantry in action.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Gallantry in Action

Although Lieutenant Horace Capron, Jr. was issued a MOH (Posthumously), in accordance to military tradition, he would have received additional benefits. Service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients.  In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors. Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients. 

Death and Burial

Medal of Honor Recipient Horace Capron, Jr. died on Saturday, 6 Feb 1864 during a charge near Qualla Town, North Carolina, United States at the age of 24 years, 3 months, 10 days in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, United States, and is commemorated and interred at Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, United States.