New Memorial For Harford County's Only Medal of Honor Recipient At David Craig Park

HAVRE DE GRACE - On Friday, Harford County unveiled the new Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial at David Craig Park in Havre de Grace. The memorial commemorates Harford County’s only Medal of Honor recipient.

State and local officials and Harford County residents gathered to hear County Councilman and chair of the Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Fund Inc., Curtis Beulah, deliver an address.

“This memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the only native of Harford County to receive our nation’s highest military honor,” Beulah said.

The memorial features a picture of Hilton and his unit alongside the flags of the United States, Maryland, and Harford County. Hilton’s personal history is engraved into the back of pictures of his squad.

According to the Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Fund, Hinton was born in the Hopewell (Level) area around 1842. He was born to Harriet and Isaac Hilton. Both had formerly been enslaved.

Hilton fought in the civil war with the 4th Regiment United States Colored Troops in 1863 and was made a color bearer in 1864, tasked with carrying the national flag into battle. He was one of only 16 African Americans to earn the medal of honor during the civil war.

Hilton earned the award on Sept. 29, 1864, when he and his regiment advanced ahead of Union troops against fortified confederate defenses at Chapin’s Farm outside Richmond, Va.

According to the foundation, Hilton was wounded during the battle. Still, he continued his advance, picking up a regimental standard from a fallen comrade and carrying the national and regimental flags until he could not continue.

You can visit Hilton’s memorial at David Craig Park, 553-599 N Union Ave, Havre De Grace, MD 21078