TAVI to Honor Hometown Hero James Woby

Civil War Flag Bearer Turned Tide of Bloody Battle at Petersburg
At sunset on June 15, 1864, 27-year-old James B. Woby, born and raised on Church Street in Allentown, NJ charged up a hill outside of Petersburg, Virginia in what was described as “a blizzard of Rebel bullets.” As his regiment’s color bearer, Woby was armed only with the Regimental flag, emblazoned with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis” – “Thus always to tyrants.”

Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026 for “The Story of James Woby – Allentown Native & Civil War Hero” beginning with a pasta dinner at 5 pm in Allentown Methodist Church, 23 Church Street in Allentown, NJ. There is a suggested donation of $5. 

Miraculously, Woby survived and reached the top of the Confederate earthworks – which had been built with slave labor weeks before.  The startled defenders saw Woby and fled. Woby’s fellow soldiers of the 22nd Colored Infantry took heart from his amazing heroism and swarmed over the Confederate defenses.

Many heroes of the Civil War’s longest battle – the Siege of Petersburg – were honored, but Woby, although recognized in the press at the time for his gallantry, was not. Now, TAVI is working to bring Woby the long-overdue recognition he earned on the battlefield 162 years ago. TAVI is engaged with the offices of New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim to secure Woby’s posthumous nomination for a Medal of Honor, first established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 to honor extraordinary Civil War service. TAVI’s work on behalf of Woby follows its successful effort last year to establish the birthday of Allentown native Marion VanOrkey – May 18th – as “Six Triple Eight Day” in New Jersey. Legislation creating the holiday was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy last spring.

TAVI’s James Woby program is part of TAVI250, a year-long series of events celebrating America’s 250th birthday, made possible by funding from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, as well as the support of First Commerce Bank and Fulton Bank.