Conrad Schmidt
Conrad Schmidt was born on February 27, 1830 in Wurttemburg, Germany. Both of his parents died when he was only 4 yrs old. He was brought to the US by a brother who settled in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was raised and educated.
In February 1861, Conrad enlisted as a Sergeant in Company K, 2nd Dragoons, U.S. Cavalry. First Sergeant Conrad Schmidt was one of fourteen soldiers who earned the Medal of Honor during an engagement with Confederate forces at Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864.
During the battle First Sergeant Schmidt's regimental commander's horse was killed during the charge. Under heavy enemy fire, First Sergeant Schmidt galloped to his commander's rescue, hoisting him onto his own mount, and returning him to his command.
Conrad Schmidt (February 27, 1830 – December 26, 1908) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Opequon more commonly called the Third Battle of Winchester, Virginia on September 19, 1864.
Medal of Honor citation: “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Sergeant Conrad Schmidt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 19 September 1864, while serving with Company K, 2d U.S. Cavalry, in action at Winchester, Virginia. First Sergeant Schmidt went to the assistance of his regimental commander, whose horse had been killed under him in a charge, mounted the officer behind him, under a heavy fire from the enemy, and returned him to his command.”
