Who was

Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton?

Alfred B. Hilton (c. 1842 – October 21, 1864) was born just outside Havre de Grace, Harford County, Maryland. He was an African-American Union Soldier who fought and died during the Civil War and  carried both the National and Regimental standards until he himself was unable to continue, shouting, “Boys, save the colors!". Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton is the recipient of our nation’s highest military award — the Medal of Honor. Hilton is one of 16 African-American Union Army Soldiers who received the Medal of Honor for their service during the Civil War, and the only service member from Harford County ever to receive the award.

Presented for valor in action against an enemy force, the Medal of Honor is bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services.

Alfred B. Hilton was born in the Hopewell area of Harford County (now called Level) around 1842. He was the son of Harriet and Isaac Hilton, free citizens who had formerly been enslaved in the county. Along with his brothers Henry and Aaron, Alfred Hilton enlisted in the 4th Regiment United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) in August of 1863 (during the Civil War) and was immediately chosen to be Sergeant. He faithfully served the United States in various military capacities, and bravely fought in defense of the Union in numerous battles against Southern forces.

In May of 1864, Sergeant Hilton was appointed Color Sergeant, and was tasked with carrying the National flag (what we would now call the United States flag) for his regiment in combat.

On September 29, 1864, Hilton and his regiment advanced ahead of Union troops in an assault against entrenched Confederate defenses at Chapin’s Farm (sometimes called “Chaffin’s” Farm), part of the Battle of New Market Heights, outside Richmond, Virginia — a critical engagement during the war.

Hilton carried the American flag forward under heavy fire. Hilton marched into battle carrying not just the colors, but the hopes of his family as two of his brothers served with him. When the Regimental Color Sergeant fell, Hilton seized that flag as well, carrying both forward. Now burdened with carrying foward  both flags and confronted with unrelenting rifle fire, Hilton eventually fell with a severe leg wound.

Even then, he held the colors aloft and shouted, “Boys, save the colors!” before passing them to fellow soldiers. He was taken to a segregated field hospital, where his leg was amputated. He died on October 21, 1864, and is buried at Hampton National Cemetery.

On April 6, 1865, Sergeant Hilton was posthumously honored by the United States War Department with the Medal of Honor for “Gallantry in action as color-bearer,” with a citation that read:

“When the regimental color bearer fell, this soldier seized the color and carried it forward, together with the national standard until disabled at the enemy’s inner line.”

Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton remains the only Harford County native to be honored with the nation’s highest military decoration. Other USCT soldiers received various distinguished honors.