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U.S. Marine Corps

David Sprowle (Sprowls, David)

ConflictCivil War

Year of Action1864

Unit/CommandUSS Richmond

BirthplaceLisbon, New York

Citation

On board the USS Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats, and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Orderly Sgt. Sprowle inspired the men of the marine guard and directed a division of great guns throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Conflict: Civil War Year of Action: 1864