Delavan Bates

Brigadier General Delavan Bates (March 17, 1840 to December 19, 1918) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Bates was awarded the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action in Cemetery Hill, Virginia during the Battle of the Crater on 30 July 1864. He was honored with the award on 22 June 1891.

Biography
Bates was born to Alpheus Bates (1808 - 1888) and Hannah Bates (1810 - 1901) on 17 March 1840. Bates enlisted into the Union Army at Oswego County in 1962, joining 121st New York Volunteers in the Union Army. He was captured at the Battle of Salem Church during the Battle of Fredericksburg and was held at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia for approximately two weeks. He was subsequently released in a prison exchange. He was involved in other Civil war battles including Gettysburg and Chancellorsville.

Bates later transferred to the 30th United States Colored Infantry Regiment where he commanded the troops, advancing to second lieutenant. It was during this command that he led his troops into battle at Cemetery Hill, Virginia during the Battle of the Crater. On 30 July 1864 he was seriously wounded about his chest and arms, in addition to receiving a bullet in the face. Bates survived these injuries and was among 23 troops to receive the Medal of honor for bravery during this event. By the end of the war Bates had been promoted to Brevet Brigadier General.

After the war Bates resided in Salisbury, North Carolina but soon returned to West Richmondville, New York where he married Lana Ann Green on 2 January 1870, with whom he had five children. He was a merchant and storekeeper.

Bates died in Aurora, Nebraska on December 18, 1918 and his remains are interred at Aurora Cemetery.