Abraham Arnold
Encyclopedia
Abraham Kerns Arnold was a US Cavalry officer during the American Civil War
and, while a captain in the 5th U.S. Cavalry, received the Medal of Honor
for leading a "a gallant charge against a superior force of the enemy, extricated his command from a perilous position in which it had been ordered" against Confederate forces at Davenport Bridge, Virginia on May 10, 1864.
He is the father of Colonel Percy Weir Arnold, a cavalry officer serving during the Spanish-American War
, the Philippine–American War and the First World War.
, Arnold entered West Point and graduated from the academy in 1859 as a brevet Second Lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. Participating in campaigns against the Commanche while stationed in Fort Inge
, Arnold held a distinguished service record during the American Civil War
. Promoted to first lieutenant in 1861, he was cited "for gallant and meritorious services" at Gaines' Mill
and Todds Tavern
brevetted captain and major after both engagements respectively. He was, most notably, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Davenport Bridge leading a cavalry charge against superior Confederate forces to rescue men under his command and preventing their capture.
In 1869, he became a full major as commander the 6th U.S. Cavalry and, by early-1879, he was directing operations against the Apache
s in southeastern Arizona accompanying an expedition into Mexico
later that year in pursuit of renegade Apaches to Lake Guzman. As acting assistant adjutant general to General Orlando B. Willcox
, Arnold would also take part in the Battle of Cibecue Creek
on August 30, 1881. As a lieutenant colonel in 1886, he would also fight in the expedition against the Crows
of the North Plains
the following year. He would hold a number of command posts with various cavalry units during the next twelve years.
During the Spanish-American War
, he accepted a field commission as brigadier general of volunteers and led 2nd U.S. Division of the 7th Army Corps in Cuba
from January 16, 1898 until April 1, 1899.
He retired on March 25, 1901 and died several months later in Cold Spring-On-Hudson, New York
on November 23, 1901. His grave can be found in the Cemetery of Saint Philip's Church Garrison, New York
.
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...
and, while a captain in the 5th U.S. Cavalry, 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 leading a "a gallant charge against a superior force of the enemy, extricated his command from a perilous position in which it had been ordered" against Confederate forces at Davenport Bridge, Virginia on May 10, 1864.
He is the father of Colonel Percy Weir Arnold, a cavalry officer serving during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, the Philippine–American War and the First World War.
Biography
Born in Bedford, PennsylvaniaBedford, Pennsylvania
Bedford is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, west of the State Capital, Harrisburg. It is the county seat of Bedford County. Bedford was established in the mid-18th century. Population counts follow: 1890, 2,242; 1900, 2,167; 1910, 2,385. The population was 3,141 at the 2000...
, Arnold entered West Point and graduated from the academy in 1859 as a brevet Second Lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. Participating in campaigns against the Commanche while stationed in Fort Inge
Fort Inge
Fort Inge was a frontier fort in Uvalde County, Texas established as Camp Leona on March 13, 1849. The fort served as a base for United States Army troops assigned to protect the southern overland mail route along the San Antonio-El Paso Road from Indian raids. The camp was renamed Fort Inge in...
, Arnold held a distinguished service record during 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...
. Promoted to first lieutenant in 1861, he was cited "for gallant and meritorious services" at Gaines' Mill
Battle of Gaines' Mill
The Battle of Gaines's Mill, sometimes known as the First Battle of Cold Harbor or the Battle of Chickahominy River, took place on June 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as the third of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War...
and Todds Tavern
Battle of Todds Tavern
The Battle of Todd's Tavern was fought in Virginia during the American Civil War..-The Battle of the Wilderness:On May 4, 1864, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 122,000-man Army of the Potomac and Gen. Robert E. Lee's 66,000-man Army of Northern Virginia opened the Battle of the Wilderness as a meeting...
brevetted captain and major after both engagements respectively. He was, most notably, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Davenport Bridge leading a cavalry charge against superior Confederate forces to rescue men under his command and preventing their capture.
In 1869, he became a full major as commander the 6th U.S. Cavalry and, by early-1879, he was directing operations against the Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
s in southeastern Arizona accompanying an expedition into Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
later that year in pursuit of renegade Apaches to Lake Guzman. As acting assistant adjutant general to General Orlando B. Willcox
Orlando B. Willcox
Orlando Bolivar Willcox was an American soldier who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, Arnold would also take part in the Battle of Cibecue Creek
Battle of Cibecue Creek
The Battle of Cibecue Creek was an engagement of the Apache Wars, fought in August 1881 between the United States and White Mountain Apaches in Arizona, at Cibecue Creek on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. After an army expedition of scouts and soldiers arrested a prominent medicine man, they...
on August 30, 1881. As a lieutenant colonel in 1886, he would also fight in the expedition against the Crows
Crow Nation
The Crow, also called the Absaroka or Apsáalooke, are a Siouan people of Native Americans who historically lived in the Yellowstone River valley, which extends from present-day Wyoming, through Montana and into North Dakota. They now live on a reservation south of Billings, Montana and in several...
of the North Plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
the following year. He would hold a number of command posts with various cavalry units during the next twelve years.
During the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, he accepted a field commission as brigadier general of volunteers and led 2nd U.S. Division of the 7th Army Corps in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
from January 16, 1898 until April 1, 1899.
He retired on March 25, 1901 and died several months later in Cold Spring-On-Hudson, New York
Cold Spring, New York
Cold Spring is a village located in the Town of Philipstown in Putnam County, New York. The population was 1,983 at the 2000 census. It borders the smaller village of Nelsonville...
on November 23, 1901. His grave can be found in the Cemetery of Saint Philip's Church Garrison, New York
Garrison, New York
Garrison is a hamlet in Putnam County, New York, United States. It is part of the town of Philipstown and is on the east side of the Hudson River, across from the United States Military Academy at West Point...
.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
- List of American Civil War generals
Further reading
- Price, George F. Across the Continent with the Fifth Cavalry. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1883.