A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, he received the Medal of Honor for heroism at the 1864 Battle of Resaca.

[4] Joseph Sladen began working in local mills and factories at age nine, helping support the family while attending the public schools.

[6] In 1862, Sladen joined the Union Army for the American Civil War, enlisting as a private in Company A, 33rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.

[9] Having received promotion to corporal, in 1864 Sladen was commissioned as a first lieutenant of Volunteers and assigned to the 14th United States Colored Infantry Regiment.

[10] Sladen took part in the September 1864 Battle of Jonesborough, for which he received regular army brevet promotions to first lieutenant and captain.

[12] In the summer of 1872, the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant directed Howard to meet with the Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise and attempt to negotiate a settlement to his decade-long guerilla war against American settlers.

[13] Sladen accompanied General Howard, a guide, and two Apache scouts on the mission, which took them throughout New Mexico and Arizona as they attempted to locate Cochise and his followers.

[20] The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Joseph Alton Sladen, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 14 May 1864, while serving with Company A, 33d Massachusetts Infantry, in action at Resaca, Georgia.

While detailed as clerk at headquarters, Private Sladen voluntarily engaged in action at a critical moment and his personal example inspired the troops to repel the enemy.

Awarded for Actions During: Civil War Service: Army Division: 33d Massachusetts Infantry Date of Issue: July 19, 1895[9] After leaving the military, Sladen settled in Portland, Oregon, where he started a business career.

[20] Sladen also served as a special agent for the German American Insurance Company, and also carried out an appointment as professor of military science at Portland's Bishop Scott Academy.

[22] Long active in Freemasonry, Sladen held several leadership positions in the organization and attained the 33rd degree of the Scottish Rite in 1904.

[23] In addition, his civic and professional memberships included Portland's Boys & Girls Aid Society, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Baptist Church.