Milton M. Holland – Sergeant Major, United States Army

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Born at Austin, Texas, in 1844, he earned the Medal of Honor while serving with the 5th U.S. Colored Troops at Chapins Farm, Virginia, on September 29, 1864 during the Civil War. The Medal was actually issued to him on April 6, 1865.

He died on May 15, 1910 and was buried in Section 23 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Milton M. Holland was born on August 1, 1844, to Jack and Emily Holland. Jack was Toby’s first recorded son.

Milton is the third generation of African Americans born as slaves to the Holland Family Plantation.

Milton M. Holland enlisted as a private in Company C, 5th U.S. Colored Troops. The 5th Ohio was raised in Ohio and accredited to that State.

He was the first African American Texan to earn the Medal of Honor.

He was mustered into the Union forces on June 22, 1863, at Delaware, Ohio. Assigned to the 5th United States Colored Troops commanded by General Benjamin F. Butler, Holland saw considerable action in the swamps of North Carolina “capturing forage and emancipating slaves” under the recent Emancipation Proclamation.

As first sergeant of Company “C”, Holland was with the James River fleet in its advance on Richmond when his company was ordered to make the attack. They struck the first blow at Petersburg by capturing the Confederate flag, the signal station, and the officers at the station. On September 29, 1864, his regiment was in front of Richmond at Deep Bottom where he, as Sergeant Major, led his unit in the most brilliant and daring fight of its career. With the officers (white) having been killed, and he himself wounded, they fought a fierce battle at Chaffin’s Farm. It was here that Holland’s daring and courage earned him the Medal of Honor.

Milton was mustered out of the service on September 20, 1865.

He died of a heart attack on May 15, 1910, on a farm near Silver Springs, Maryland. He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

HOLLAND, MILTON M.

Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 5th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Virginia, 29 September 1864. Entered service at: Athens, Ohio. Born: 1844, Austin, Texas. Date of issue: 6 April 1865.

Citation:

Took command of Company C, after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.

HOLLAND, MILTON M

  • 1ST SGT CO C, 5TH US INF
  • DATE OF DEATH: 05/15/1910
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 23  SITE 21713
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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