William D. Edwards
Encyclopedia
William D. Edwards was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 7th U.S. Infantry during the Indian Wars
. A participant in the Nez Perce War
, he was one of six men who received the Medal of Honor
for bravery against Chief Joseph
and the Nez Perce at the Battle of Big Hole on August 9, 1877.
, fought in several campaigns against Indians
during the mid-1870s. He won particular distinction in the Nez Perce War
and, on August 9, 1877, was cited for "bravery in action" against Chief Joseph
and the Nez Perce at the Battle of Big Hole. He was among of six soldiers who received the Medal of Honor
, the other men being Sergeants Patrick Rogan
and Milden Wilson, Privates Wilfred Clark and Lorenzo Brown, and musician John McLennon, on December 2, 1878. Edwards died on January 24, 1903, at the age of 54. He was interred at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery
in Washington, DC.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in the U.S. Army
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 7th U.S. Infantry 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...
. A participant 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 one of six men who 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 bravery against Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph
Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, popularly known as Chief Joseph, or Young Joseph was the leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kain band of Nez Perce during General Oliver O. Howard's attempt to forcibly remove his band and the other "non-treaty" Nez Perce to a reservation in Idaho...
and the Nez Perce at the Battle of Big Hole on August 9, 1877.
Biography
William D. Edwards was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1849. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to frontier duty with the 7th U.S. Infantry. Stationed at Fort MissoulaFort Missoula
Fort Missoula was established by the United States Army in 1877 on land that is now part of the city of Missoula, Montana, to protect white settlers in Western Montana from possible threats from the native American Indians, such as the Nez Perce....
, fought in several campaigns against Indians
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...
during the mid-1870s. He won particular distinction 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...
and, on August 9, 1877, was cited for "bravery in action" against Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph
Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, popularly known as Chief Joseph, or Young Joseph was the leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kain band of Nez Perce during General Oliver O. Howard's attempt to forcibly remove his band and the other "non-treaty" Nez Perce to a reservation in Idaho...
and the Nez Perce at the Battle of Big Hole. He was among of six soldiers who 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...
, the other men being Sergeants Patrick Rogan
Patrick Rogan (Medal of Honor)
Patrick Rogan was an Irish-American US Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars. He was born in County Leitrim, Ireland....
and Milden Wilson, Privates Wilfred Clark and Lorenzo Brown, and musician John McLennon, on December 2, 1878. Edwards died on January 24, 1903, at the age of 54. He was interred at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery
United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery
United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, in Washington, D.C., is located next to the Armed Forces Retirement Home. It is one of only two national cemeteries administered by the Department of the Army—the other being Arlington National Cemetery...
in Washington, DC.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company F, 7th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Big Hole, Mont., 9 August 1877. Entered service at:------. Birth: Brooklyn, N.Y. Date of issue: 2 December 1878.Citation:
Bravery in action.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars