The Marland Family

William Marland - U.S. Civil War soldier

William Marland, son of William Sykes and Sarah (Northy) Marland, born in Andover, Maryland, March 11, 1839. His grandfather, Abraham Marland, emigrated from England, 1801. Major Marland has always claimed Andover as his home receiving his education in its schools and Phillips Academy. He enlisted in Company F, of the "Old Sixth," April 15, 1861, was made Sergeant April 17, and marched as Color Guard through the streets of Baltimore, April 19, 1861.

Mustered out, August 2, 1861. He recruited until December 1861, when he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant Second Battery, Light Artillery, M.V.M., with which he remained until August 11, 1865. He served by promotion as First Lieutenant and Captain, and was made Brevet-Major for gallant and meritorious services. Received a Congressional Medal Of Honor for gallantry at Grant Coteau, LA., November 3, 1863. After having been surrounded by the enemy's Cavalry, his support having surrendered, he ordered a charge and saved the section of the battery that was under his command.

He was Postmaster at Andover, 1869.

collected by Geoff Marland

The following is copied from the Home of Heroes website:

Born: March 11, 1839 at Andover, MA; Entered Service in the US Army from Andover, MA; Earned The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism November 03, 1863 at Grand Coteau, LA; Died: April 17, 1905 at the age of 66

First Lieutenant William Marland was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic and daring leadership after his small battery was surrounded by a numerically superior force of rebel soldiers at Grand Coteau, Louisiana, on November 3, 1863. Later he recalled the events of that deadly moment: "Here we were--a mere handful, surrounded by an overwhelming force of mounted troops! I sent my orderly to see if the enemy held the bridge. He came back and reported that they did. I moved to the edge of the timber and found the enemy drawn up in line. Only one course was now open to us--to cut our way through their lines. My mind was quickly made up. I gave the order: 'Limber to the rear; caissons to the left of the pieces; cannoneers in line with lead drivers; draw revolvers and charge!' We made straight for the rebels. Strange to say, they broke right and left. We dashed through the gap thus made and cut our way with only two of our men taken prisoners. The enemy drove us two miles till we reached the commands of Generals Cameron and McGinnis, who were hastening to our support."
 

He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, Georgia