Asa Hagert (Asel Hagerty) is the only Congressional Medal of Honor recipient buried in Defiance County. The Civil War hero's tombstone stands proudly in Riverside Cemetery.
Asa was born in New York on June 30, 1849, and by 1864, he had enlisted in the 61st New York Infantry, Company A. In August, 1864, when he enlisted at the age of 22 in Watertown, NY, the 61st was fighting in Virginia. His medal was awarded for an incident at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia, when he captured the flag of a Confederate regiment on April 6, 1865. It was a grand morale booster for the Union troops. Just three days later, Lee surrendered at Appomatox.
Asa mustered out with his unit on July 14, 1865 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Asa received his award on May 10, 1865.
"The President of the United
States of America, in the name of
Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private
Asel Hagerty, United States Army,
for extraordinary heroism on 6 April
1865, while serving with Company
A, 61st New York Infantry, in action
at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia, for capture of flag".
The medal is awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."
In 1997, thanks to the work of the local Veterans' Office, a new stone listing his accomplishments was placed at the grave with a memorial ceremony.
 |
| The Battle of Sailor's Creek |
Asa Hagert was in Defiance, Ohio, at least by 1878, when he married Mary Brown of Brunersburg, the daughter of Dr. Wesley and Eliza (Doll) Brown. The marriage occurred on February 10th, solemnized by Rev. Slagle.
Their residence was found in the Federal Census of 1900 on Ayersville Avenue. Asa was 50, owned his home free and clear, and listed his occupation as landlord. Mary, born in September, 1855, was 44, and the couple had no children. Living with them was Mary's sister, Minerva Brown, 53 and single.
By 1910, they had moved to 211 Jackson Street in Defiance. Asa W. Hagert, 60, and Mary L.,54, rented their home and took in two boarders: Alva C. Brown, 50, divorced, and Joseph W. LaFreve, 50 and divorced. Only Joseph worked outside the home as a machinist.
The true patriotism of Asa Hagert was revealed again in 1917, when he went to sign up for service in World War I at the age of 70. The Defiance Crescent News reported on his action on March 31, 1917:
"MARTIAL SPIRIT BURNS STRONG IN THIS VETERAN
More than half a century ago, Asa W. Hagert laid down the rifle he had taken up for the defense of his country, an returned to the peaceful pursuits of business.
Today with the country getting under arms, the same martial spirit rages in Hagert, and the same loyalty that prompted him to answer the call to the colors in the '60s burns undimmed in his body. The only change that has been made is that the frame is not so tall, the hair has turned from black to gray and time has seared his face with wrinkles.
Hagert offered himself as a recruit at the local recruiting station yesterday afternoon. He is nearing his 70th milestone of life, but he would like to again wear the uniform of the Nation's army and serve the country as he did in one other crisis.
'I would go just as quickly today as I did in 1862,' said Hagert. 'The young men of today do not seem to have the courage and the fiery patriotic spirit that we had in the '60s. I do not regret the years that I spent on the battlefields in the service of the greatest country in the world, and I would not hesitate to go again.'
Hagert went out in 1862 with Troop A of the Black Horse cavalry, New York state. The command went through some of the hardest fighting of the great civil conflict. Hagert participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Antietam, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge."
So we find that when Asa went in 1864, he was reenlisting into an infantry unit. The Black Horse cavalry was also known as the First Regiment Mounted Rifles. Two years after this patriotic statement made to the newspaper, Asa passed away, March 30, 1919.
His wife, Mary, lived on into 1931. Her obituary appeared in the Crescent-News on May 12, 1931:"DEATH TAKES MARY HAGERT.
75-Year-Old Woman's Rites to be Thursday at Home in Perry Street.
Mrs. Mary L. Hagert, 75, widow of Asa W. Hagart, died at midnight at her home, 1030 Perry street, after a week's illness due to pneumonia.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at her home with Dr. F. M. Swinehart, pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church officiating. Burial will be made in Riverside cemetery.
Mrs. Hagert was born Sept. 17, 1855, in Brunersburg, a daughter of the late Dr. Wesley and Eliza Doll Brown. On Aug. 6, 1878, she came to Defiance with her parents and continued to make her home there the remainder of her life. She and Mr. Hagert were married here Feb.10, 1887, by Rev. B.W. Slagle. Mr. Hagert passed away March 30, 1919.
When 15 years old, Mrs. Hagert became a member of the Methodist church here and held her membership until her death. She leaves a brother, Alvah C. Brown, who lived with her."
 |
| Riverside Cemetery |
J
