George W. Baird
Encyclopedia
George William Baird was a US Army officer who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Indian Wars
.
. He graduated from Hopkins Grammar School in 1859, and entered Yale University
. While he left Yale prior to his graduation to fight in the American Civil War
, he received his diploma in 1863, while serving with a Connecticut artillery battery.
of volunteers of the 32nd Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops
. He reverted to the rank of second lieutenant
in 1866, and remained in the army. From 1871 to 1878, he was adjutant
to colonel
Nelson A. Miles
(he later wrote the book "General Miles's Indian Campaigns: On the staked plains."), and served under him in the Nez Perce War
. He was promoted to major
in 1879, and became Deputy Paymaster General of the army in 1899. He was eventually promoted to brigadier general
in 1903, shortly before his retirement.
, Mont., September 30, 1877. Entered service at: Milford, Conn. Birth: Milford, Conn. Date of issue: November 27, 1894.
Citation
, and was buried in his hometown of Milford, Connecticut
.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
.
Early life
Baird was born on December 13, 1839, in Milford, ConnecticutMilford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
. He graduated from Hopkins Grammar School in 1859, and entered Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. While he left Yale prior to his graduation to fight in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he received his diploma in 1863, while serving with a Connecticut artillery battery.
Military background
Baird served in the artillery until 1864, when he was appointed colonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of volunteers of the 32nd Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops
United States Colored Troops
The United States Colored Troops were regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War that were composed of African American soldiers. First recruited in 1863, by the end of the Civil War, the men of the 175 regiments of the USCT constituted approximately one-tenth of the Union...
. He reverted to the rank of second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in 1866, and remained in the army. From 1871 to 1878, he was adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
(he later wrote the book "General Miles's Indian Campaigns: On the staked plains."), and served under him in the Nez Perce War
Nez Perce War
The Nez Perce War was an armed conflict between the Nez Perce and the United States government fought in 1877 as part of the American Indian Wars. After a series of battles in which both the U.S. Army and native people sustained significant casualties, the Nez Perce surrendered and were relocated...
. He was promoted to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in 1879, and became Deputy Paymaster General of the army in 1899. He was eventually promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in 1903, shortly before his retirement.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 5th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Bear Paw MountainsBear Paw Mountains
The Bear Paw Mountains are an insular-montane island range in North-Central Montana, USA, located approximately 10 miles south of Havre, Montana...
, Mont., September 30, 1877. Entered service at: Milford, Conn. Birth: Milford, Conn. Date of issue: November 27, 1894.
Citation
Most distinguished gallantry in action with the Nez Perce Indians.
Death
Baird died on November 26, 1906, in Asheville, North CarolinaAsheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
, and was buried in his hometown of Milford, Connecticut
Milford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
.