Sherman received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken on July 3, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Sherman was born in Burlington, Vermont, in about 1823, and in 1849 moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota Territory, in search of work as a painter.

Fabled for taking part in almost every major engagement in the eastern theater of the war, Sherman was therefore involved in many battles during his three-year enlistment.

[2] On July 3, while engaging with the 28th Virginia Infantry, Sherman captured the enemy flag,[3] though stories of how he came to attain it differ.

[2] However, fellow private Daniel Bond remembered seeing the flag leaning against a tree, but lost a footrace to it after Sherman, who was closer, spotted it as well.