Frederick E. Toy
Encyclopedia
Captain Frederick Ernest Toy (1866 – August 5, 1933) was an American
officer in the U.S. Army
who served with the 7th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was one of twenty-three soldiers received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry at what was then called the Battle of Wounded Knee, but now commonly called the Wounded Knee Massacre
, against the Sioux Indians
on December 29, 1890.
in 1866. He joined the United States Army
in Chicago, Illinois and spent most of his service on the frontier with the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He took part in a number of campaigns against the Plains Indians
and eventually reached the rank of first sergeant by the late-1880s.
Toy was among the cavalrymen ordered to bring in Chief Big Foot and, on December 29, 1890, he and members of the 7th Cavalry surrounded his camp on Wounded Knee Creek
with the intention of arresting the Sioux chieftain and disarming his followers. During the disarming process, Toy was one of the officers of Company G under Captain Winfield Scott Edgerly and, officially cited for "conspicuous bravery and coolness in action", he was among the twenty-three members of his regiment to receive the Medal of Honor
.
In his later career, Toy served as an orderly
to President Theodore Roosevelt
and was later appointed an ordnance sergeant
. In January 1911, Toy was placed on the retired list after 30-year military service. He returned to New York after his retirement where he died on August 5, 1933, at the age of 67 and buried at Riverdale Cemetery in Lewiston, New York
.
Toy's status as an MOH recipient, as well as the others awarded at Wounded Knee, was brought up during a congressional hearing
on July 29, 1993, by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
who suggested their medals be rescinded given the controversial nature of the battle. This sentiment was echoed by the Niagara Falls Reporter
in September 2000 criticizing Toy's inclusion in his hometown's war memorial in Epitaph Park.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
officer 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. 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 was one of twenty-three soldiers 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 at what was then called the Battle of Wounded Knee, but now commonly called the Wounded Knee Massacre
Wounded Knee Massacre
The Wounded Knee Massacre happened on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. On the day before, a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major Samuel M...
, against the Sioux Indians
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...
on December 29, 1890.
Biography
Frederick Ernest Toy was born in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
in 1866. He joined the United States 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...
in Chicago, Illinois and spent most of his service on the frontier with the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He took part in a number of campaigns 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...
and eventually reached the rank of first sergeant by the late-1880s.
Toy was among the cavalrymen ordered to bring in Chief Big Foot and, on December 29, 1890, he and members of the 7th Cavalry surrounded his camp on Wounded Knee Creek
Wounded Knee Creek
Wounded Knee Creek is a tributary of the White River, approximately long, in southwestern South Dakota in the United States. Its Lakota name is '....
with the intention of arresting the Sioux chieftain and disarming his followers. During the disarming process, Toy was one of the officers of Company G under Captain Winfield Scott Edgerly and, officially cited for "conspicuous bravery and coolness in action", he was among the twenty-three members of his regiment to receive 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...
.
In his later career, Toy served as an orderly
Orderly
A medical orderly , is a hospital attendant whose job consists of assisting medical and/or nursing staff with various nursing and/or medical interventions. These duties are classified as routine tasks involving no risk for the patient.- Job details :Orderlies are often utilized in various hospital...
to President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and was later appointed an ordnance sergeant
Ordnance Sergeant
Ordnance Sergeant was an enlisted rank in the U.S. and Confederate armies during the American Civil War era. The Ordnance Sergeant ranks just above a First Sergeant, yet below a Quartermaster Sergeant. The rank insignia consists of three inverted chevrons with a 5-pointed star above it.According...
. In January 1911, Toy was placed on the retired list after 30-year military service. He returned to New York after his retirement where he died on August 5, 1933, at the age of 67 and buried at Riverdale Cemetery in Lewiston, New York
Lewiston, New York
Lewiston is a village in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 2,781 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Morgan Lewis, an early 19th-century governor of New York. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.The Village of Lewiston,...
.
Toy's status as an MOH recipient, as well as the others awarded at Wounded Knee, was brought up during a congressional hearing
Congressional hearing
Congressional hearings are the principal formal method by which committees collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. Whether confirmation hearings — a procedure unique to the Senate — legislative, oversight, investigative, or a combination of these, all...
on July 29, 1993, by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Benjamin Nighthorse Campbell is an American politician. He was a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 1993 until 2005 and was during his tenure the only American Indian serving in the U.S. Congress. Campbell was a three term U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1993, when he was sworn into office as a...
who suggested their medals be rescinded given the controversial nature of the battle. This sentiment was echoed by the Niagara Falls Reporter
Niagara Falls Reporter
The Niagara Falls Reporter is a weekly newspaper published in Niagara Falls, New York. It was launched on June 28, 2000, by veteran journalist Mike Hudson, who had previously worked for newspapers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York City...
in September 2000 criticizing Toy's inclusion in his hometown's war memorial in Epitaph Park.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company C, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Wounded Knee Creek, S. Dak., 29 December 1890. Entered service at:--. Birth: Buffalo, N.Y. Date of issue: 26 May 1891.Citation:
Bravery.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars