William H. Jones
Encyclopedia
William H. Jones was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry in separate battles against the Sioux
and the Nez Perce in the Rocky Mountains
during the summer of 1877.
in 1842. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army in Louisville, Kentucky
and joined the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. Jones later became a regimental farrier
and a sergeant
. While on frontier duty in the Rocky Mountains
in 1877, he was twice cited for gallantry against the Plains Indians
in the Montana
and the Idaho territories
. The first occurred against the Sioux
at Little Muddy Creek
on May 7, and the second against the Nez Perce at Camas Meadows on August 20, 1877. It was during this last battle that Jones suffered a serious knee injury. For his actions at these engagements, he received the Medal of Honor
on February 28, 1878. Jones returned to North Carolina after leaving the military and died in Efland, North Carolina
on December 23, 1911, a day before Christmas Eve
. He was buried at the Efland Methodist Church Cemetery.
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 2nd U.S. Cavalry 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...
. 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 gallantry in separate battles 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...
and the Nez Perce in the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
during the summer of 1877.
Biography
William H. Jones was born in Davidson County, North CarolinaDavidson County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 149,331 people, 58,156 households, and 42,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 267 people per square mile . There were 62,432 housing units at an average density of 113 per square mile...
in 1842. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
and joined the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. Jones later became a regimental farrier
Farrier
A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses' hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves...
and a sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. While on frontier duty in the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
in 1877, he was twice cited for gallantry against the Plains Indians
Plains Indians
The Plains Indians are the Indigenous peoples who live on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. Their colorful equestrian culture and resistance to White domination have made the Plains Indians an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere.Plains...
in the Montana
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 the Idaho territories
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:...
. The first occurred 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...
at Little Muddy Creek
Little Muddy Creek
Little Muddy Creek may refer to:*Little Muddy Creek, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.*Little Muddy Creek, a tributary of the Missouri River in North Dakota in the United States.*Little Muddy Creek in New Zealand....
on May 7, and the second against the Nez Perce at Camas Meadows on August 20, 1877. It was during this last battle that Jones suffered a serious knee injury. For his actions at these engagements, 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...
on February 28, 1878. Jones returned to North Carolina after leaving the military and died in Efland, North Carolina
Efland, North Carolina
Efland is an unincorporated community in Orange County, North Carolina, United States.Efland is most likely the next town in Orange County to become incorporated. The Efland Ruritan Club hosts most of the towns activities including an annual Rodeo, Lumberjack show, Tractor Pull, Car Show and HYAA...
on December 23, 1911, a day before Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
. He was buried at the Efland Methodist Church Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Farrier, 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: Louisville, Ky. Birth. Davidson County, N.C. Date of issue: 28 February 1878.Citation:
Gallantry in the attack against hostile Sioux Indians on May 7, 1877 at Muddy Creek, Mont., and in the engagement with Nez Perces Indians at Camas Meadows, Idaho, on 20 August 1877 in which he sustained a painful knee wound.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars