# Wilson Vance

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**Wilson J. Vance** (December 20, 1845, [Findlay, Ohio](/source/Findlay,_Ohio)[1][2] – November 10, 1911, [Chattanooga, Tennessee](/source/Chattanooga,_Tennessee)) was an American soldier who fought for the [Union Army](/source/Union_Army) during the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War), an author,[3] a journalist and an editor.[1] He received the [Medal of Honor](/source/Medal_of_Honor) for valor.

## Civil War service

Vance served in the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War) in the [21st Ohio Infantry](/source/21st_Ohio_Infantry) as a private, enlisting in 1861.[1] He received the Medal of Honor on September 17, 1897, for his actions on January 3, 1863, at the [Battle of Stones River](/source/Battle_of_Stones_River).[2] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant, becoming the youngest commissioned officer in the [Army of the Cumberland](/source/Army_of_the_Cumberland).[1] He commanded a company at the [Battle of Chickamauga](/source/Battle_of_Chickamauga) while not yet 18 and remained in the army to the end of the war.[1]

### Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 21st Ohio Infantry. Place and date: At Murfreesboro, TN., 31 December 1862. Entered service at:------. Birth: Ohio. Date of Issue: 17 September 1897.

**Citation:**

Voluntarily and under a heavy fire, while his command was falling back, rescued a wounded and helpless comrade from death or capture.[2]

## Post-war

Vance attended [Harvard Law School](/source/Harvard_Law_School) and practiced for a year or two, but switched to journalism.[1] He became the managing editor of the *[Ohio State Journal](/source/The_Columbus_Citizen-Journal)* in 1870, the *[Indianapolis Journal](/source/Indianapolis_Journal)* in 1873, and *The New York Advertiser* for two years after moving to New York in 1892.[1] He also served as Washington correspondent for various publications.[1][4] In 1904, he became the editor of *The Square Deal*.[1]

Vance wrote the librettos for [two operettas](/source/List_of_operettas_by_John_Philip_Sousa) scored by [John Philip Sousa](/source/John_Philip_Sousa): *Katherine* (1879) (unproduced) and *The Smugglers* (1882) which premiered in Washington D.C.[5]

He is the father of author [Louis Joseph Vance](/source/Louis_Joseph_Vance).[1][4]

He died of heart disease in [Chattanooga, Tennessee](/source/Chattanooga,_Tennessee), while attending a reunion of the Army of the Cumberland.[1]

## See also

- [List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: T-Z](/source/List_of_American_Civil_War_Medal_of_Honor_recipients:_T-Z)

## References

1. ["Obituary. Wilson Vance."](https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/1289895/). *[New-York Tribune](/source/New-York_Tribune)*. November 12, 1911.

1. ["Wilson J Vance"](https://www.cmohs.org/kiosk/recipients/wilson-j-vance). Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

1. ["Online Books by Wilson J Vance"](http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Vance%2C%20Wilson%20J). *onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu*

1. ["Louis Joseph Vance, Prominent Author, Resided for Time With His Aunt Miss Margaret Johnson and Half-Sisters"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-piqua-daily-call-louis-jos-vance-de/25502010/). *[Piqua Daily Call](/source/Piqua_Daily_Call)*. December 18, 1933.

1. [https://lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/2539](https://lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/2539)

## External links

- [Military Times](https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3407)

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