Bois Rededication

Grave Rededication for Frank E. Bois

Frank E. Bois was born 13 Sep, 1841 in Quebec, Canada. He entered service at Northampton, Massachusetts at age 18. He mustered in on 21 Jun, 1861 and served in Co. C of the 10th Massachusetts Infantry. Frank was mustered out of the Army on 30 Sep 1862 by virtue of a transfer to the Navy as Quartermaster aboard the USS Cincinnati. It was for his actions aboard the Cincinnati that he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. His post war occupation was that of a miner. He was admitted to the Washington Soldier's Home at Orting on 18 Sep 1919 and died there on 25 Jan 1920. Frank was a resident of Washington since 1871 and was laid to rest with his comrades in arms at the GAR cemetery in Seattle, Washington.

CMOH Citation: Served as Quartermaster on board the USS Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking on 27 May 1863. Engaging the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati, amidst an incessant fire of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last, though so penetrated by enemy shellfire that her fate was sealed. Conspicuously cool in making signals throughout the battle, Bois, after all the Cincinnati's staffs had been shot away, succeeded in nailing the flag to the stump of the forestaff to enable this proud ship to go down "with her colors nailed to mast".

On 26 May, 2001, fifty people gathered at the GAR Cemetery in Seattle, Washington to rededicate the burial site of Frank E. Bois.