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Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1833, Scotland.
Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 17, 10 July 1863. Citation: Serving
as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the
Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863. Engaging
the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati, amidst an incessant fire
of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last although so penetrated
by enemy shell fire that her fate was sealed. Conspicuously gallant during
this action, Hamilton, severely wounded at the wheel, returned to his post
and had to be sent below, to hear the incessant roar of guns as the gallant
ship went down, "her colors nailed to the mast."
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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