Moses Orr
Encyclopedia
Moses Orr was an Irish-born soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 1st U.S. Cavalry during the Apache Wars
. He was one of several men who received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry during Lieutenant Colonel George Crook
's "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians
in the Arizona Territory
during 1872 and 1873.
. Orr was assigned to Company A of the 1st U.S. Cavalry and took part in the Apache Wars
during the 1870s. He served under Lieutenant Colonel George Crook
's during his "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians
in the Arizona Territory
during 1872 and 1873. Orr was among the member of his regiment to receive the Medal of Honor
for "gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with the Apaches" on April 12, 1875. He returned to Philadelphia after leaving the military and died there on May 10, 1897, at the age of 50. Orr was buried at Mount Moriah 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 1st U.S. Cavalry during the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
. He was one of several 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 gallantry during Lieutenant Colonel 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:...
's "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians
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...
in the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
during 1872 and 1873.
Biography
Moses Orr was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1847. He later emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Orr was assigned to Company A of the 1st U.S. Cavalry and took part in the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
during the 1870s. He served under Lieutenant Colonel 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:...
's during his "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians
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...
in the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
during 1872 and 1873. Orr was among the member 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...
for "gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with the Apaches" on April 12, 1875. He returned to Philadelphia after leaving the military and died there on May 10, 1897, at the age of 50. Orr was buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery
Mount Moriah Cemetery (Philadelphia)
Mount Moriah Cemetery is a historic cemetery in southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, along Cobbs Creek. It was incorporated on March 27, 1855 and established by an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature. The cemetery, which originally occupied , was among a number of cemeteries established along the...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company A, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Winter of 1872-73. Entered service at:------. Birth: Ireland Date of issue: 12 April 1875.Citation:
Gallant conduct during cam paigns and engagements with Apaches.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars