| M.A. DILLON Michael A. Dillon--1839-1904---Founder of the Union Veterans Union Winner of the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Williamsburg--May 5, 1862 MICHAEL AUGUSTUS DILLON-PRIVATE-U.S.ARMY Born at Chelmsford, Mass on September 29, 1839, he served with Co. G, 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. Entered the service at Wilton, N.H. Was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 10, 1889. He founded and organized the Medal of Honor Legion and the Union Veterans Union and was the first commander of both groups. He also organized Meade Post #8 of the Grand Army of the Republic and was prominent in Grand Army Circles in Washington, D.C. He died in Washington on October 6, 1904 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery-Section W ENL site 14600. His wife, Theresa Quinn Dillon is buried with him.
"During one of the charges of the enemy it had been found impossible to withdraw one of our batteries, and four guns fell into the enemy's hands as our lines were being pressed back. Then occurred the incident which displayed the courage of young Dillon, and won for him the Medal of Honor awarded by Congress for conspicous bravery. Seeing the pieces in the hands of the enemy, he sprang to his feet and rushed forward, begginf his comrades to follow and retake the guns. His lieutenant, seeing him thus exposed to the enemy's fire, and fearing it might be concentrated upon the position which they occupied, shouted to him: "Get down, Dillon, you are drawing the enemy's fire." Dillon exclaimed: "What in hell are we here for? Come on, boys, come on! We mustn't let them take that battery." And, with arms raised high in the air pleading for men to follow him, he rallied a gallant group, all boys like himself, rushed into the thickest of the fight, repulsed and drove back the enemy, and rescued Battery H, First United States Artillery. Dillon received a bad check shot before success. He was struck in the leg by a ball, which felled him; but a moment before the recapture he was venting his wrath in forcible language at the loss of his musket, which was wrenched from his grasp by an exploding shell and shattered into fragments. Staunching the flow of blood, and picking up the musket of a fallen comrade, he pluckily resumed his place and continued the fight until he had the satisfaction of witnessing the final repulse of the enemy. (Deeds of Valor) |
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The History Behind the UVU The UVU was formed in Washington, D.C. in 1886 to fill a need that many Civil War Veterans felt was lacking. There was no question that the Grand Army of the Republic was the strongest of all the Union Veterans Organizations. But many felt they had become an "elitist" group, loosing touch with some of the real concerns of the typical Union Veterans. It was also felt that the G.A.R. was too loose in allowing those men who had never served in combat to join its ranks. Further, as unrest in the South increased during the period of Reconstruction, it appeared to many that few leaders of the aforementioned organizations were concerned with the plight of the Emancipated Blacks in the south. The G.A.R., although welcoming the Black Union Veterans to their ranks, encouraged them to form segragated Posts. M.A. Dillon, a Union Veteran, was concerned about these issues, along with many others. He had been instrumental in forming two G.A.R. Posts, which he commanded and also was credited with starting an Auxillary. He turned his leadership and organizational skills into establishing the Union Veterans Union. Black Union Veterans were always welcomed as equal members with no segregated posts. Exposure to combat was a requirement of the organization. The Union Veterans Union worked for veterans rights including pensions and was a leader in battlefield preservation, petitioning Congress to save the battlefields. In 1893, General Samuel Yoder, Commander of the UVU, pushed to have a per diem Pension rate for each of the old veterans. Briefly explained, a pension was determined by services rendered and graded upon a basis of one cent per day for the term of such service. One of the rules of the organzation was that a veteran had to have been in combat to be a member. In 1902, at the Union Veterans Union National Encampment, a large number of veterans, "Battlefield Soldiers"walked out the the encampment in protest because this rule had been changed to allow all veterans as members, regardless of combat experience. Before this rule was adopted, 90 and 100 day men could not join the UVU. Why the U.V.U. Today? The G.A.R. was succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans in 1954 and they have done great work pertaining ot preserving the memory of the Union Soldier. However, since 1995, after a period of peak growth, the leadership of the SUV seemed to move further away from many of the original purposes left in their charge by those who actually contended on the battlefield. Following the SUV's pledge of support for the Confederate Flag flying over the statehouse in Columbia, S.C., many of us felt we could no longer tolerate the direction the SUV was going. Keep in mind, the purpose of the Sons of Union Veterans was to remember and honor UNION VETERANS. General Order #4, which required the members of the SUV to support the flying of the Confederate Flag, was a slap in face to our honored ancestors who saved the Union. We decided to reform the Union Veterans Union and put our emphasis back on the Union Veteran rather then supporting racist organizations in the South. We maintain that same spirit, that same Patriotic fervor and the belief that ALL men are free, equal and deserve the same rights as our ancestors who fought for the Union believed. Most of all, we are returning to the position that the TRUE history of the Civil War and the period of reconstruction that followed must be told and upheld. In doing so, the UVU takes pride in quoting all of its sources unlike those who are writing and promoting revisionist history. Adopting any position that conforms to or supports that of those who attempted to divide the Union only serves to insult our Union Ancestors who fought and died for such a noble cause. Most of all, we are committed to bring honor and respect to the American Flag, under which our Unin Ancestors so valiantly served. Only this flag is recognized as the true banner that represents our great country. For Membership Information The Union Veterans Union, Inc. is open to anyone who had an ancestor who saw combat with Union forces during the Civil War 1861-1865. Both men AND women are eligible for membership.Each member must adhere to our mission and purposes as set forth in the Constitution and By-laws of this order. Associate membership will be granted to those unable to show lineage, but who endorse and uphold our mission and purpose as forth in our by-laws. We exclude those who support any and all symbols of the Confederacy or who hold membership in any organization that has a history of doing so. Email the UVU |
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