Today I heard from a CUMPSTON descendant pplacier@socket.net who wrote ‘ We are the descendents of the James Cumpston who received the Medal of Honor in the Civil War. We live in southern Ohio and have traveled to several counties trying to find out more about his origins, with little luck. We do have his Civil War records and marriage certificate, and know his father was from Pennsylvania.’
He has his own page on my website at http://www.cumpston.org.uk/#/ohio-james-m-cumpston/4551860360
From my records I know he has an entry in wikipedia
| Place of birth | Gallia County, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Place of death | Ohio |
| Place of burial | Coalton Cemetery, Coalton, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army Union Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 91st Ohio Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Valley Campaigns of 1864 |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
James M. Cumpston (1837 – May 24, 1888) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Valley Campaigns of 1864. Although his military records are under Cumpston, his surname is correctly spelled Compston.
Medal of Honor citation :
“The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James M. Cumpston, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism from August to November, 1864, while serving with Company D, 91st Ohio Infantry, in action in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Virginia, for capture of flag.”
Reference: “James M. Cumpston”. Hall of Valor. Military Times. http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=1602.
Findagrave entry reads: Birth 1837 Death May 24 1888 
| Birth: | 1837 |
| Death: | May 24, 1888 |
 Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. At age 25 he enlisted in the Union Army, and was mustered in as a Private in Company D, 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 14, 1862. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action during August to November 1864 in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Virginia. His citation reads “Capture of flag.” He served through the end of the war, and he was honorably mustered out on June 24, 1865 at Cumberland, Maryland. His Medal was issued to him under the name of “James Cumpston”, and he is still officially listed that way. (bio by: Don Morfe) |
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| Burial: Coalton Cemetery Coalton Jackson County Ohio, USA | |
| Maintained by: Find A Grave Originally Created by: Don Morfe Record added: Jan 29, 2004 Find A Grave Memorial# 8333103 |
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