John Vale

John Vale (August 9, 1835 – February 4, 1909) was a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor in 1897 for his bravery on February 15, 1863, at Nolensville, Tennessee. Biography Early life Born in London, England, Vale grew up in the city and was employed as a store clerk at the age of 13. In 1851 he immigrated to Le Claire, Iowa, and found employment in a sawmill. He moved to farmland he purchased near Mapleton, Minnesota, in 1856. He was there when the Civil War started. Military service Vale enlisted in the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry at Rochester, Minnesota, on July 15, 1861. Sixteen members from Company H, of which he was a member, were foraging near the town of Nolensville, Tennessee, on February 15, 1863. Vale, then a Private, was assigned to picket duty. He watched for the Confederates as others searched farm buildings. He warned the others as 125 Confederate cavalry attacked the small detachment of Union soldiers. The Union soldiers moved to a log building for cover and returned fire. The 1st East-Tennessee Cavalry drove the confederates off. Three Union soldiers were wounded, while five Confederates were wounded. Four of the Confederate's horses were killed, three horses were captured, and they also lost seven saddles and three guns.