Thomas M. Wells

Who was Thomas M. Wells?

Thomas McCoy Wells was an Irish born Union Army soldier and officer during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Cedar Creek fought near Middletown, Virginia on October 19, 1864. The battle was the decisive engagement of Major General Philip Sheridan’s Valley Campaigns of 1864 and was the largest battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley.

Wells enlisted in the Army from De Kalb, New York in November 1861, and was assigned to the 6th NY Cavalry. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1865, and promoted to first lieutenant the following May. Wells was transferred to the 2nd Provisional NY Cavalry in June 1865, and mustered out with this regiment the following August.