Peter Van Hoesen (January 24, 1828 – May 10, 1918), better known by his nom de guerre James Sullivan,[1] was an American Civil War veteran.
Peter Van Hoesen was born on January 24, 1828,[3] and enlisted with the Army early in the conflict and deserted from Company B of the 18th New York Volunteer Infantry sometime prior to the Battle of Crampton's Gap on September 14, 1862.
His familiarity with the area helped him to escape and journey to New York City, where he met the real James Sullivan while in hiding.
[8][9] After his service in the war, Van Hoesen stopped using the alias James Sullivan, and tried to file for his veteran pension.
He died on May 10, 1918, without ever getting his pension and without recognition for receiving the Medal of Honor, and was buried in Coeymans Hollow Cemetery in Albany, New York.