Medal of Honor Recipient Benjamin F. Hilliker, 8th Wisconsin Infantry, Autograph Note Signed "B. F. Hilliker"
Medal of Honor Recipient Benjamin F. Hilliker, 8th Wisconsin Infantry, Autograph Note Signed "B. F. Hilliker". One page, 6" x 9", Rochester, New York, August, 1911. Hilliker writes, in full: "B. G. Hilliker / Co. A 8. Wis. Vol. Inft. / Shot through the head at the / Siege of Vicksburg leading / a line of skirmishers being a drummer was awarded a / Medal of Honor by Congress / was personally acquainted with / Gen. Rosecrans & Sherman and / my wife was the Flag Bearer of / the Calif. Delegation at / Rochester N.Y. Aug. 1911". Hilliker was shot through the head near Mechanicsburg, Mississippi. Though disfigured, he survived and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For extraordinary heroism on 4 June 1863, while serving with Company A, 8th Wisconsin Infantry, in action at Mechanicsburg, Mississippi. When men were needed to oppose a superior Confederate force Musician Hilliker laid down his drum for a rifle and proceeded to the front of the skirmish line which was about 120 feet from the enemy. While on this volunteer mission and firing at the enemy he was hit in the head with a minie ball which passed through him. An order was given to "lay him in the shade; he won't last long." He recovered from this wound being left with an ugly scar." Fine condition. Estimate: $200 - $300.
Source: http://historical.ha.com/itm/autographs/medal-of-honor-recipient-benjamin-f-hilliker-8th-wisconsin-infantry-autograph-note-signed-b-f-hilliker-/a/6131-47197.s
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