The Early Years

Martin K Davis, son of Susan Kellog Cunningham, was born on 12 Mar 1843 in Marion, Williamson, Illinois, United States and was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on 22 May 1863.

In 1850, Martin, age seven, resided with the Samuel Cunningham Family with his siblings Harriet, Clarissa (Claripa), Eliza Ann, and Calvin in Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States.  Martin, age seventeen and a Farm Hand, resided with the Daniel Bowers Family in Subdivision 66, Shelby, Illinois, United States in 1860.

The Civil War

Martin K. Davis, a nineteen-year-old single farmer who resided in Stonington, Illinois enlisted in the Union Army for three years on 20 Aug 1862 as a Private. He was described as 5'10" tall, light hair, blue eyes and a light complexion. Private Davis was assigned to Compnay H., 116th Regiment, Illinois Infantry on 6 Sep 1862.

Private Davis received at least one promotion to Sergeant prior to discharge and prior to 22 May 1863. Sergeant Davis was discharged on 7 Jun 1865 at Washington, DC. Sergeant Martin K. Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for action at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 22 May 1863. Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant Martin K. Davis died on 14 Dec 1936 and was buried at Demorest Cemetery, Demorest, Georgia, Illinois, United States.

Civil War Engagements with the 116th, Organized: Decatur, Illinois, United States on 30 Sep 1862, Mustered out: 7 Jun 1865:

Yazoo Post, 3 Feb-12 Apr 1863, Northwestern Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Chickasaw Bayou, (aka Battle of Walnut Hills), 26-29 Dec 1862, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Confederate victory

Arkansas Post, (aka Battle of Fort Hindman), 9-11 Jan 1863, Arkansas Post, Arkansas, United States, Union Victory

Champion Hill, pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign, 16 May 1863, Hinds County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Vicksburg, final major military action in the Vicksburg campaign, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union Victory

Missionary Ridge, (aka Battle of Chattanooga), 25 Nov 1863, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, Union Victory

Atlanta, a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864, 7 May-2 Sep 1864, Northwestern Georgia and around Atlanta, United States, Union Victory

Resaca,formed part of the Atlanta Campaign, 13-15 May 1864, Gordon County and Whitfield County, Georgia, United States, Inconclusive Victory

New Hope Church, a clash between the Union Army under Major General William T. Sherman and the Confederate Army of Tennessee led by General Joseph E. Johnston during the Atlanta Campaign, 25-26 May 1864, Paulding County, Georgia, United States, Confederate victory

Dallas, an engagement during the Atlanta Campaign, 28 May 1864, Paulding County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Allatoona, (aka Battle of Allatoona Pass), 5 Oct 1864, Bartow County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Kennesaw Mountain, during the Atlanta Campaign, 27 Jun 1864, Cobb County, Georgia, United States, Confederate victory

Atlanta, during the Atlanta Campaign, 22 Jul 1864, Fulton and DeKalb counties, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Atlanta, Siege of Atlanta series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864, 2 May-2 Sep 1864, Northwestern Georgia and around Atlanta, United States, Union Victory

Jonesborough, 31 Aug-1 Sep 1864, Clayton County, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Lovejoy's Station, 20 Aug 1864, Clayton County, Georgia, United States, Inconclusive, Union strategical victory

March to the Sea, (aka Savannah campaign or simply Sherman's March), 15 Nov-21 Dec 1864, Georgia, United States, Union Victory

Carolinas, (aka campaign of the Carolinas), the final campaign conducted by the Union Army against the Confederate Army in the Western Theater, 1 Jan-26 Apr 1865, Carolinas, United States, Union Victory, unconditional surrender of the Army of the South on April 26, 1865, effective end of the American Civil War, dissolution of the Confederacy and reconstruction of the Southern States

Bentonville, 19-21 Mar 1865, Bentonville, North Carolina, United States, Union Victory

On 22 May 1863, at the Siege of Vicksburg, Sprague was one of a storming party. The storming party, known as "Forlorn Hope," was a group who volunteered to attack the enemy fortifications. The storming party had heavy casualties.

Sergeant Martin K. Davis fought in the American Civil War and received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Siege of Vicksburg at Warren County, Mississippi, United States. Sergeant Davis bravely defended Company H, 116th Regiment, Illinois Infantry during the storming party on 22 May 1863.

President Grover Cleveland of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, took pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Martin K. Davis, United States Army, on 26 Jul 1894 for extraordinary heroism, while serving with Company H, 116th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 22 May 1863.

In accordance to military tradition, 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.

Later Years

Martin married Sarah Elizabeth (Turner) Davis (1852-1928) on 28 Aug 1867 in Logan, Illinois, United States. They had 9 children (the 1900 census does show she gave birth to nine children but I only could confirm six of the nine), Clara Davis, Willard Martin Davis, Martha Belle Davis Alley, Jesse Davis, Winnie Davis, and Frank Davis.

Martin, age twenty-five, the head of household and a Farm Laborer, resided with his wife of three years, Sarah (aka S. L.) in Illiopolis, Sangamon, Illinois, United States in 1870. The personal estate value was $300. Sarah managed the household and raised Clara. In addition, another relative, P. W. Wood was a resident of the household.   Martin was in a pension record in 1888 in Illinois, United States.

By 1900 Martin, age fifty-seven, the head of household and a Plasterer, had relocated to Georgia. Martin resided with his wife of thirty-three years, Sarah, in Cornelia, Habersham, Georgia, United States. Sarah managed the household and raised Jessie and Winnie. In addition, his adult daughters, Clara and Bell(e), were also residents of the household.  In 1910 Martin, age sixty-seven, the head of household and a Farmer resided with his wife of forty-three years, Sarah, in Demorest, Habersham, Georgia, United States. Sarah managed the household and his adult children, Martha Belle, a Nurse and Jesse, a Farm Laborer, were also residents of the household.   As of 1920 Martin, age seventy-six, the head of household resided with his wife of fifty-three years, Sarah, in Demorest, Habersham, Georgia, United States. Sarah managed the household and his adult children, Clara and Jesse, a Plasterer, were also residents of the household.

Martin's wife of 60 years, 7 months, 12 days, Sarah Elizabeth Turner Davis died on Monday, 9 Apr 1928.

By 1930 Martin, age eighty-seven, was widowed and the head of household, resided with his son Jesse, a Plasterer, in Clarkesville, Habersham, Georgia.

Death & Burial

Medal of Honor Sergeant Martin K. Davis, son of Willard M. Davis and Susan Kellogg died on Monday, 14 Dec 1936 at the age of 93 years, 9 months, 2 days of natural causes due to decline in old age in Clarkesville, Habersham County, Georgia, United States,. Sergeant Davis was interred on 15 Dec 1936 and is commemorated in Demorest City Cemetery, Demorest, Habersham County, Georgia, United States.