Robert Temple Emmet
Encyclopedia
Robert Temple Emmet was a United States Army
Colonel
who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor
for actions while surrounded by a much larger force. An 1877 graduate of West Point
, he served in numerous campaigns on the Western Frontier.
to William Jenkins Emmet and Julia Colt Pierson. He has a twin sister named Rosina Emmet Sherwood and had two other sisters, Lydia Field Emmet
and Jane Emmet de Glehn
. All three of his sisters were noted portrait artists. He is the great-grandson of Thomas Addis Emmet
, a lawyer, who was an elder brother of executed Irish nationalist Robert Emmet
. His father's parents were Robert Emmet and Rosina Hubley. His mother's parents were Josiah G. Pierson and Julia Colt. He graduated from West Point in 1877. Emmet was commissioned Second Lieutenant
, in the 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldier
s upon graduation.
Emmet's brothers are: Christopher Temple Emmet, a graduate of the Yale Forest School Class of 1902; William LeRoy Emmet, who is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy
, Class of 1881; Devereux Emmet; and Richard Stockton Emmet. He has an uncle, John Emmet, who attended West Point from 1814-1817.
Citation:
Lt. Emmet was in G Troop which was sent to relieve a detachment of soldiers under attack by hostile Apaches During a flank attack on the Indian camp, made to divert the hostiles Lt. Emmet and 5 of his men became surrounded when the Indians returned to defend their camp. Finding that the Indians were making for a position from which they could direct their fire on the retreating troop, the Lieutenant held his point with his party until the soldiers reached the safety of a canyon. Lt. Emmet then continued to hold his position while his party recovered their horses. The enemy force consisted of approximately 200.
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...
Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
who was a recipient of 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 actions while surrounded by a much larger force. An 1877 graduate of West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, he served in numerous campaigns on the Western Frontier.
Education and army career
Emmet was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to William Jenkins Emmet and Julia Colt Pierson. He has a twin sister named Rosina Emmet Sherwood and had two other sisters, Lydia Field Emmet
Lydia Field Emmet
Lydia Field Emmet was an American artist best known for her work as a portraitist. She studied with, among others, prominent artists such as William Merritt Chase, Henry Siddons Mowbray, Kenyon Cox and Tony Robert-Fleury...
and Jane Emmet de Glehn
Jane Emmet de Glehn
-Early life:Born in New Rochelle, New York, she was the youngest daughter of ten siblings. Her great-great-uncle Robert Emmet was a notable Irish nationalist who was hanged in 1803 for high treason by the British court for his attempt to implement an abortive Irish rebellion...
. All three of his sisters were noted portrait artists. He is the great-grandson of Thomas Addis Emmet
Thomas Addis Emmet
Thomas Addis Emmet was an Irish and American lawyer and politician. He was a senior member of the revolutionary republican group United Irishmen in the 1790s and New York State Attorney General 1812–1813.-Background:...
, a lawyer, who was an elder brother of executed Irish nationalist Robert Emmet
Robert Emmet
Robert Emmet was an Irish nationalist and Republican, orator and rebel leader born in Dublin, Ireland...
. His father's parents were Robert Emmet and Rosina Hubley. His mother's parents were Josiah G. Pierson and Julia Colt. He graduated from West Point in 1877. Emmet was commissioned Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
, in the 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas....
s upon graduation.
Emmet's brothers are: Christopher Temple Emmet, a graduate of the Yale Forest School Class of 1902; William LeRoy Emmet, who is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, Class of 1881; Devereux Emmet; and Richard Stockton Emmet. He has an uncle, John Emmet, who attended West Point from 1814-1817.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Las Animas Canyon, N. Mex., 18 September 1879. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: New York, N.Y. Date of issue 24 August 1899.Citation:
Lt. Emmet was in G Troop which was sent to relieve a detachment of soldiers under attack by hostile Apaches During a flank attack on the Indian camp, made to divert the hostiles Lt. Emmet and 5 of his men became surrounded when the Indians returned to defend their camp. Finding that the Indians were making for a position from which they could direct their fire on the retreating troop, the Lieutenant held his point with his party until the soldiers reached the safety of a canyon. Lt. Emmet then continued to hold his position while his party recovered their horses. The enemy force consisted of approximately 200.