Abraham Cohn — Civil War soldier and Medal of Honor recipient

Early life and background

Cohn was born in what was then Prussia; the town is commonly identified as Guttentag. He was of Jewish descent. Like many 19th‑century immigrants, he settled in the United States before the outbreak of civil conflict and later joined the military as a soldier in defense of the Union.

Civil War service and recognized actions

During the war Cohn took part in major Eastern Theater engagements. Contemporary records credit him with conspicuous conduct in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, and later at the assault on Petersburg during the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864. These actions occurred in Virginia and were among the fiercest combats of the Overland and Petersburg campaigns. For his behavior in those battles he was awarded the medal for bravery in combat, cited as the highest decoration bestowed by the United States.

Later life and legacy

After the war Cohn returned to civilian life and eventually died in New York City in 1897. He is part of the small but notable group of immigrant and Jewish servicemen who received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War era. Histories of the period reference him as an example of immigrant participation in the Union cause and of diverse backgrounds among decorated soldiers.

Notable facts

• Born in Prussia and later served in the United States Army as a Union soldier.
• Recognized for bravery at the Wilderness and at the Crater—two pivotal Virginia battles.
• Recipient of the Medal of Honor, reflecting the award's role in honoring individual valor.

Cohn’s life illustrates several broader themes of Civil War history: the role of immigrants in the armed forces, the intensity of early modern American combat, and the ways in which acts of individual courage were commemorated after the conflict.