Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Born Jean-Baptiste Victor Vifquain, he came to the United States at the age of 16. In 1857, he settled in the Blue River Valley of Saline County, Nebraska. He enlisted with the 53rd New York Infantry on January 10, 1861, was commissioned on October 16, 1861 and mustered out on Mar 12, 1862. He was appointed Adjutant of the 97th Illinois Infantry in September 1862, and was brevetted to Brigadier General on March 13, 1865. On April 9, 1865, he captured an enemy flag during action at Fort Blakely, Alabama; for this heroism, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 8, 1865. He mustered out on June 29, 1865. Returning to his agricultural pursuits, he failed to win a seat in Congress in 1867 and 1892. He was appointed the United States Consul to Columbia in 1886 and subsequently held several diplomatic posts in Panama. During the Spanish-American War, he went back on active duty with the 3nd Nebraska Infantry, assuming regimental command when Colonel Bryan resigned. After peace was declared, he returned to Nebraska to write his memoirs.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Born Jean-Baptiste Victor Vifquain, he came to the United States at the age of 16. In 1857, he settled in the Blue River Valley of Saline County, Nebraska. He enlisted with the 53rd New York Infantry on January 10, 1861, was commissioned on October 16, 1861 and mustered out on Mar 12, 1862. He was appointed Adjutant of the 97th Illinois Infantry in September 1862, and was brevetted to Brigadier General on March 13, 1865. On April 9, 1865, he captured an enemy flag during action at Fort Blakely, Alabama; for this heroism, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 8, 1865. He mustered out on June 29, 1865. Returning to his agricultural pursuits, he failed to win a seat in Congress in 1867 and 1892. He was appointed the United States Consul to Columbia in 1886 and subsequently held several diplomatic posts in Panama. During the Spanish-American War, he went back on active duty with the 3nd Nebraska Infantry, assuming regimental command when Colonel Bryan resigned. After peace was declared, he returned to Nebraska to write his memoirs.
Bio by: Beth Painter
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