Last updated: December 2, 2022
Person
Henry A. du Pont
Library of Congress
Quick Facts
Significance:
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient; U.S. Senator
Place of Birth:
Greenville, Del.
Date of Birth:
July 30, 1838
Place of Death:
Winterthur, Del.
Date of Death:
December 31, 1926
Place of Burial:
Wilmington, Del.
Cemetery Name:
Du Pont de Nemours Cemetery
Henry Algernon du Pont was a soldier, businessman and politician from New Castle County, Delaware, and a member of the famous du Pont family of Delaware.
Born July 30, 1838, near Greenville, Delaware, Henry attended the University of Pennsylvania in 1855, before graduating first in his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point just after the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.
Du Pont served as an artillery officer at various posts throughout the war, before being promoted to captain and being assigned to the Army of the Shenandoah. Du Pont received a brevet promotion to major for gallant service at the battles of Third Winchester (September 19, 1864) and Fishers Hill (September 22, 1864). He was served as chief of artillery for the 8th Corps, commanding three batteries, totaling 16 cannons, at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864.
Henry du Pont continued his military service until 1875, when he returned to Delaware, where he served as the president and general manager of the Wilmington & Northern Railroad Company from 1879 to1899. Du Pont was also twice elected to the United States Senate (1906-1917).
Thirty-four years later, in 1898, Congress officially recognized du Pont's actions at Cedar Creek, awarding him the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor.
Henry du Pont returned to Cedar Creek one last time in 1920 to honor his old West Point classmate, Confederate Gen. Stephen Ramseur. Du Pont delivered the keynote address during the dedication ceremony to a monument erected in Ramseur's memory.