Route 22 Bridge Dedicated To Distinguished Harford County Soldier

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The only Medal of Honor recipient born in Harford County now has a bridge named in his honor. The Interstate 95 bridge in Aberdeen that runs along MD 22 has now been renamed the Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Bridge.

"In a time when sacrifices are often forgotten, I am humbled by the opportunity to stand here today to honor a true American hero," Maryland Transportation Deputy Secretary James F. Ports Jr. said in a statement upon the bridge's dedication Thursday.

Sgt. Hilton was a member of the color guard and was carrying the American flag into battle on Sept. 29, 1864, when the regimental color bearer was struck, so Hilton carried both flags until he was mortally wounded, officials said.

"His charge into battle and the sacrifice that he made will be forever memorialized for all to see," Ports said.

Hilton, who lived on Gravel Hill Road near Havre de Grace, enlisted in 1863 at the age of 21. He was killed in 1864 and was granted the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1865. He was one of 16 African American soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor in the Civil War.

In his memory, Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti sponsored legislation, which was cross-filed by Senator Robert G. Cassilly, calling for the dedication of the structure as the Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Bridge.

"Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton is an example of true patriotism to one’s country," Lisanti said in a statement. "As a freed African American in Maryland, south of the Mason Dixon Line, Sgt. Hilton could have chosen to stay on his family farm and away from conflict, but instead answered his nation’s call and gave the ultimate sacrifice. It is fitting, and long overdue that Sgt. Hilton be forever memorialized with this dedication for thousands of travelers to see every day.

The following information about Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton was provided by Delegate Lisanti:

Hilton lived at his father’s farm on Gravel Hill Road in Harford County until August 1863, when he enlisted in Company H, 4th United States Colored Troops. His regiment included over 1/8 of all colored troops that saw action during the Civil War, and was quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He fought with distinction in several engagements in Virginia and was mortally wounded on September 29th, 1864, at the Battle of New Market Heights, outside Richmond, and died three weeks later at a military hospital at Fort Monroe. He lies buried at the Hampton National Cemetery in Virginia.

In April 1865 the War Department posthumously granted Sergeant Hilton the Congressional Medal of Honor, one of only 16 awards given to freed African Americans in the Civil War. The Citation reads as follows: 'When the regimental color fell, this soldier seized the color and carried it forward, together with the national standard until disabled at the enemy’s inner line.'

The MDTA Police posed with Aberdeen Proving Ground Major General Taylor at the Nov. 9 dedication of the MD 22 bridge to Civil War veteran Sgt. Alfred B. Hilton. Pictured, left to right, are Lt. Verlon Morrow, Captain Ronce Alford, Captain Joseph Alton, Lt. Kevin Ayd and Lt. Wayne Mullaney. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Transportation Authority.