William Evans (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
William Evans was an Irish-born soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 7th U.S. Infantry during the Black Hills War. He participated in campaigns against the Sioux
in the Montana Territory
and, at Big Horn
from July 9–14, 1876, volunteered to deliver critical dispatches between Generals George Crook
and Alfred Terry
. He later received the Medal of Honor
for his heroic actions.
on April 26, 1875. From there, Evans went to Newport, Kentucky
where he was sent to the frontier with the 7th U.S. Infantry. Within a year, he would take part in actions against the Sioux
in the Montana Territory
during the Black Hills War. In the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
, he and two other soldiers, Pvts. Benjamin F. Stewart and James Bell, volunteered to carry important dispatches between Generals George Crook
and Alfred Terry
. There had been two previous attempts to get messages though, both unsuccessful, and Evans and his comrades had to pass through 100 miles of territory occupied by an estimated 2,000 Sioux and Cheyenne
warriors. Between July 9–14, 1876, they traveled back and forth from Crook and Terry's camps. Hiding during the day and traveling at night, they were able to safely avoid Sioux war parties. For their actions, all three men received the Medal of Honor
. Evans remained in the military, reenlisting at Camp Baker on November 2, 1878 and promoted to the rank of corporal
on November 30, 1880. He died in St. Louis, Missouri
on August 27, 1881, at age 30. He was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
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 7th U.S. Infantry during the Black Hills War. He participated in campaigns against the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
in the 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:...
and, at Big Horn
Big Horn County, Montana
- National protected areas :* Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area * Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument- Economy :Coal Mining and Agriculture both play major roles in Big Horn County’s economy...
from July 9–14, 1876, volunteered to deliver critical dispatches between Generals George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
and Alfred Terry
Alfred Terry
Alfred Howe Terry was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886.-Early life and career:...
. He later 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 his heroic actions.
Biography
William Evans was born in Annagh, Ireland, in 1851. He later emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
on April 26, 1875. From there, Evans went to Newport, Kentucky
Newport, Kentucky
Newport is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The population was 15,273 at the 2010 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is part of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metro Area which...
where he was sent to the frontier with the 7th U.S. Infantry. Within a year, he would take part in actions against the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
in the 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:...
during the Black Hills War. In the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
, he and two other soldiers, Pvts. Benjamin F. Stewart and James Bell, volunteered to carry important dispatches between Generals George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
and Alfred Terry
Alfred Terry
Alfred Howe Terry was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886.-Early life and career:...
. There had been two previous attempts to get messages though, both unsuccessful, and Evans and his comrades had to pass through 100 miles of territory occupied by an estimated 2,000 Sioux and Cheyenne
Cheyenne
Cheyenne are a Native American people of the Great Plains, who are of the Algonquian language family. The Cheyenne Nation is composed of two united tribes, the Só'taeo'o and the Tsétsêhéstâhese .The Cheyenne are thought to have branched off other tribes of Algonquian stock inhabiting lands...
warriors. Between July 9–14, 1876, they traveled back and forth from Crook and Terry's camps. Hiding during the day and traveling at night, they were able to safely avoid Sioux war parties. For their actions, all three men 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...
. Evans remained in the military, reenlisting at Camp Baker on November 2, 1878 and promoted to the rank of corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
on November 30, 1880. He died in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
on August 27, 1881, at age 30. He was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company E, 7th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Big Horn, Mont., 9 July 1876. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 2 December 1876.Citation:
Carried dispatches to Brig. Gen. Crook through a country occupied by Sioux.