Henry Wilkens
Encyclopedia
Henry Wilkens or Wilkins (1855 – August 2, 1895) was a German-born soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry during the Nez Perce War
. In the summer of 1877, he received the Medal of Honor
for two separate engagements, Little Muddy Creek and Camas Meadows, against Lame Deer
and the Nez Perce in the Idaho Territory
. Wilkens was one of four men who received the award for taking part in the battle of Little Muddy Creek.
in 1855, and later emigrated to the United States. While living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent out west to the frontier. He became a member of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry and eventually reached the rank of first sergeant
. During the Nez Perce War
, he was among the cavalry troopers which did battle with various small bands of renegade Indians hiding throughout the Idaho Territory
. He was cited for bravery in two major engagements during the summer months of 1877. On May 7, Wilkens was among the soldiers who stormed Lame Deer
's camp near Little Muddy Creek
in the neighboring Montana Territory
. Three months later, he led troops in routing the renegades at Camas Meadows in Idaho on August 20. Despite suffering a serious head injury, Wilkins remained with his company throughout the battle. This included participating in the pursuit of a captured mule train and defending his fellow soldiers when the company was surrounded by the Nez Perce for several hours. He received the Medal of Honor
for both engagements on February 28, 1878. Wilkens was one of five men who received the award at Camas Meadows including Cpl. Harry Garland, Pvt. Samuel Phillips, Pvt. William Leonard and Farrier William Jones. Wilkens died in Brooklyn, New York on August 2, 1895, and buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery
. He was 40 years old.
He and the other MOH recipients of Camas Meadows were referenced in the 1998 historical novel
Ashes of Heaven as part of Terry C. Johnston
's Plainsmen Series.
Citation:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
who served with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry during 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...
. In the summer of 1877, he received the Medal of Honor
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 two separate engagements, Little Muddy Creek and Camas Meadows, against Lame Deer
Lame Deer
John Fire Lame Deer, , also known as Lame Deer, John Fire, John Lame Deer and later The Old Man, was a Lakota holy man, member of the Heyoka society, grandson of the Miniconjou head man Lame Deer, father of Archie Fire Lame Deer.John Fire Lame Deer was a Mineconju-Lakota Sioux born on the...
and the Nez Perce in the Idaho Territory
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
. Wilkens was one of four men who received the award for taking part in the battle of Little Muddy Creek.
Biography
Henry Wilkens was born in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1855, and later emigrated to the United States. While living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent out west to the frontier. He became a member of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry and eventually reached the rank of first sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
. During 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 among the cavalry troopers which did battle with various small bands of renegade Indians hiding throughout the Idaho Territory
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
. He was cited for bravery in two major engagements during the summer months of 1877. On May 7, Wilkens was among the soldiers who stormed Lame Deer
Lame Deer
John Fire Lame Deer, , also known as Lame Deer, John Fire, John Lame Deer and later The Old Man, was a Lakota holy man, member of the Heyoka society, grandson of the Miniconjou head man Lame Deer, father of Archie Fire Lame Deer.John Fire Lame Deer was a Mineconju-Lakota Sioux born on the...
's camp near Little Muddy Creek
Little Muddy Creek (North Dakota)
Little Muddy Creek is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 45 mi long, in northwestern North Dakota in the United States....
in the neighboring Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
. Three months later, he led troops in routing the renegades at Camas Meadows in Idaho on August 20. Despite suffering a serious head injury, Wilkins remained with his company throughout the battle. This included participating in the pursuit of a captured mule train and defending his fellow soldiers when the company was surrounded by the Nez Perce for several hours. He received the Medal of Honor
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 both engagements on February 28, 1878. Wilkens was one of five men who received the award at Camas Meadows including Cpl. Harry Garland, Pvt. Samuel Phillips, Pvt. William Leonard and Farrier William Jones. Wilkens died in Brooklyn, New York on August 2, 1895, and buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery
Cypress Hills National Cemetery
Cypress Hills National Cemetery is the only United States National Cemetery in New York City and has more than 21,100 interments of veterans and civilians. There are 24 Medal of Honor recipients buried in the cemetery, including three men who won the award twice...
. He was 40 years old.
He and the other MOH recipients of Camas Meadows were referenced in the 1998 historical novel
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
Ashes of Heaven as part of Terry C. Johnston
Terry C. Johnston
Terry C. Johnston was an American Western fiction author who wrote over 30 novels and had more than 10 million books in print....
's Plainsmen Series.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company L, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Little Muddy Creek, Mont., 7 May 1877; at Camas Meadows, Idaho, 20 August 1877. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 28 February 1878.Citation:
Bravery in actions with Indians.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars