High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Powhatan Beaty (October 8, 1837 – December 6, 1916) was an African American soldier and actor. During the American Civil War, he served in the Union Army`s 5th United States Colored Infantry Regiment throughout the Richmond–Petersburg Campaign. He received America`s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for taking command of his company at the Battle of Chaffin`s Farm after all officers had been killed and/or wounded.