BIBBER, CHARLES J. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Portland,
Maine. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation:
Bibber served on board the U.S.S. Agawam, as one of a volunteer crew of
a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher 23 December 1864. The
powder boat, towed in by the Wilderness to prevent detection by the enemy,
cast off and slowly steamed to within 300 yards of the beach. After fuses
and fires had been lit and a second anchor with short scope let go to assure
the boat's tailing inshore, the crew again boarded the Wilderness and proceeded
a distance of 12 miles from shore. Less than 2 hours later the explosion
took place, and the following day fires were observed still burning at
the forts.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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