United States. A Medal of Honour to Private W.W. Frazer, 97th Infantry, ‘Forlorn Hope’ Assault at Vicksburg, 1863

In bronze, engraved "The Congress To Private W. W. Frazer Co. I. 97th. M. Inf." on the reverse, measuring 53 mm (w) x 68.2 mm (h- inclusive of its eagle and crossed cannons and cannonballs suspension), variation of the American flag in the ribbon, bronze pinback hanger with U.S. shield, light contact and spotting on the reverse, dark patina and light wear throughout, near extremely fine.

Footnote: Private William W. Fraser of Company I, 97th Illinois Infantry, volunteered for the Union Army’s “forlorn hope” storming party during the assault on Confederate fortifications at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on 22 May 1863. This attack was part of General Ulysses S. Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign, aimed at capturing the strategic city controlling the Mississippi River.

The storming party, composed of unmarried volunteers, was tasked with leading the assault by carrying ladders and planks to bridge the Confederate trenches and scale the earthworks. Fraser and his fellow volunteers faced intense rifle and artillery fire, advancing into a deep ditch directly under the parapets. Many of the men were killed or pinned down, unable to retreat. Despite this, Fraser and the surviving members of the storming party showed extraordinary bravery and perseverance, helping to cover subsequent attacks by the main Union brigades.

The 97th Illinois Infantry, including Company I, supported the storming party during the attack, engaging Confederate forces along the lines and attempting to exploit any breaches. Although the assault ultimately failed and Union forces suffered approximately 3,200 casualties, the courage of Fraser and the volunteers became emblematic of Union determination during the campaign.

Following the battle, Fraser was recognized for his gallantry. His official Medal of Honor citation reads: “Gallantry in the charge of the ‘volunteer storming party.’” He enlisted at Alton, Illinois, and the medal was issued on 24 October 1895. Fraser survived the war and is buried in Odd Fellow (Masonic) Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, following his death in February, 1915.