Hyattsville in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thomas R Hawkins
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014
1. Thomas R Hawkins Marker
Thomas R Hawkins
Medal of Honor
Sergeant Major 6th US Colored Infantry
Civil War
1840 † 1870
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 38° 54.519′ N, 76° 52.781′ W. Marker is in Hyattsville, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Sheriff Road. Marker is in National Harmony Memorial Park 7101 Sheriff Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hyattsville MD 20785, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Osborne Perry Anderson (here, next to this marker); Christian A Fleetwood (here, next to this marker); Elizabeth Keckly (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Memorial Honors Philip Reed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marvin F. Wilson Stadium (approx. 0.6 miles away); Development at the Wilson Farm Site (approx. ¾ mile away); History of the Wilson Farm (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hyattsville.
More about this marker. 23 year-old, 5 foot 4 inch plasterer, Thomas Hawkins enlisted for
this page online
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014
2. Thomas R Hawkins Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014
3. Medal of Honor & Folded Flag
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014
4. Resolution
Be it hereby known to all that The State Senator of the 24th District offers his sincerest congratulations to Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins, Sixth U.S. Colored Infantry. The entire legislative team extends best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution be presented on this 26th day of May 1997. Decatur W. Trotter
State Senator from a display in the Harmony National Cemetery Office
State Senator
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 19, 2014
5. Biography
Sergeant Major Thomas R. Hawkins was born at Cincinnati, Ohio in 1840. Few details are known of his early life; however, he eventually migrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a plasterer. In 1864, he joined the Sixth Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, during the American Civil War. Almost immediately he was promoted to the rank of regimental sergeant major . His regiment was one of the most active of over 160 such "Colored" organizations. Three of its members were recipients of the Medal of Honor. Two of these were awarded for valor a the Battle of Chaffin's Farm/New Market Heights, the famous engagement in which a total of fourteen United States Colored Troops were so recognized. The Third recipient, Hawkins fought and was wounded in that battle; however, his Medal of Honor was officially issued for valor in the "Rescue of regimental colors" during an earlier engagement at Deep Bottom, Virginia, on July 21,1864. The only Medal of Honor recipient for that occasion, Thomas Hawkins was an outstanding soldier who was apparently wounded in at least two separate actions. He was discharged on account of his wounds on May 20, 1865, at Goldsboro, North Carolina. After the war he settled in Washington D. C., where he worked as a government messenger. His war wounds contributed to later ill-health and , on March 2, 1870, he died at the young age of 29 years. This was less than a month after being belatedly issued his Medal of Honor on February 8, 1870. He was buried at Harmony Cemetery at its Rhode Island Avenue location, Washington, D. C.from a display in the Harmony National Cemetery Office
Library of Congress
6. Thomas R Hawkins
Photo collected by W.E.B. Du Bois for the 1900 Paris Expedition.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 656 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on June 25, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on June 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
