[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO CIVIL WAR VETERAN ELISHA JOHNS

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                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Civil War 
Veteran Elisha Johns, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for 
his courage and valor as a Corporal during the Battle of Vicksburg, 
Mississippi. This Saturday, May 28th, the Porter Township Board and the 
folks of Union, Michigan will honor Mr. Johns during a ceremony at his 
gravesite in Plum Grove Cemetery.
  Elisha enlisted with the Union Army on August 9th, 1862, with whom he 
served until his discharge on June 6, 1865. After his enlistment, his 
leadership and courage was recognized by his superiors as he was made 
Corporal and promoted to Sergeant soon thereafter. His true valor was 
demonstrated on May 22, 1863, the date he earned the Congressional 
Medal of Honor.
  It was the beginning of the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi and 
there was a call for volunteers to bridge a dike that was essential for 
a Union victory. Corporal Johns was one of 150 men that felt called to 
duty and valiantly set out to construct the bridge. Before they 
succeeded in bridging the dike, two-thirds of Elisha's fellow soldiers 
were shot and unable to go on. However, Corporal Johns and his peers 
boldly continued, while under intense Confederate fire, only to find 
his supporting soldiers had retreated. As it was early in the day, and 
military support lacking, Elisha was forced to hide along the base of 
the dike until darkness fell, when he was able to successfully get back 
to the Union lines. Forty years after his brave act, Corporal Johns was 
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  As we come together as a Nation this Memorial Day, we honor the 
heroes of yesterday like Elisha Johns, who gave so much to our great 
Nation, and to honor those brave men and women of our armed forces who 
are on the front lines today, sacrificing so much in the name of 
freedom.
  I commend all the folks of Union, Michigan, who are committed to 
preserving the history of our veterans, such as Corporal Johns, so 
generations to come will remember the sacrifices of their forefathers 
that played such a vital role in making our great Nation.

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