Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-29
A GALLANT VIRGlNlAN.
onicial Commendations Of Lieutenant
Johr @. Gresham.
To ne Editor of 0e Dispatch:

JONI ts oft~"
tn ne Editor of ne Dispatch:
Several wears ago John G. Gresham, q
diligent and exemplary student OF Rich
mord College, from Lancaster county, re-
ce;yed a cadetship appointment at west
Point After an honorable graduation he
vas aasicned to duty with the Seventh
cavalry. and has since performed arduous
and valuable services IN the west among
the Indians. In a few months, oy regular
promotion. he viii receive ms eapta.ncy, q
bnt by faithful discharge OF what IL re-
onired of good soldier. His native State
NAV well be proud of her son. 1t Is CRAFTY
mo 10 see that his superiors have acknow-
lodged in fitting terms his cooiness and
eEiii in battle and his conspicuous cour-
ace. I have had the privilege OF reading
some of the official correspondence on ME
In the Adjutant-Generals once. IN the
War Department. which more than con-
firms what l have written OF our uiStin-
guished young officer.
handing a battalion Of the Seventh cayal-
nv. issued this general order:
1.-THE gallant charge into ana beyond
Ca6on creek made by this. battalion
AGAINST tbe Nez Perez Indians, led by Chief
Josenh. and the charge through the gap
held Inv the same Indians in the afternoon
of the same day, will ever be memorable IN
the history OF Indian fighting. and was OF
such quality az TO draw praise ana com
mendation from the detachment OF the
battalion who witnessed the charges.
Iientenant George ID. Wallace. Lieutenant
John G. Gresham. and Lieutenant W. %.
Nicholson are especially recommended Tor
pallantry, dash, and devotion to duty ex-
hibited by them"
On the 1fth Of February, 1891, letter
was addressed By Captain Barnum 10 the
regimentsl commander. which reads thus :
n have the honor to invite your attention
TO the conduct OF first-Lieutenant .. u.
Gresham while in action with hostile sioux
Indians December 80, 1890. Inc colonei
commanding will recall that j was ordered
10 90 mo the rayine on tho south Of Indian
Village from the pockets of which con-
cealed Indians were firing on and Killing
and wOunding our men, and clear II OF the
enemy. Lieutenant Gresham accompanied
me. The rayine was deep. with cut banks,
yery crooked. and afforded excellent
cover for concealed enemies. 1t was
streWn with dead and wounded INDIANS,
many Of whom were able 10 use their
arms. though unable to get away. IL was
necessary TO hold and control both banks
of the ravine, and also send party up the
of corners and angles and bring out the
women and children, if such were found;
This duty was extremely difficult and
dangerous, especially as it was impossible
10 distinguish the dead. wounded, and
nests of women and children the one
from the other, and what might appear 70
be women might prove TO be formidable
and desperate enemy. Lieutenant Gresham
asked to be allowed to lead the party up
e 81
carefully, patiently and co0lly, search
ing among the dead and wounded,
brought out nineteen women and children,
disarmed some wounded men, was always
Ia the lead himself and continued TO ad-
vance until orders were received to with
draw. He was cool and deliberate as
though there was nothing TO fear, although,
in addition TO the dangers already mel-
toned, was the constant danger OF sudden
lv running on TO those who were stlll
unhurt and who had been firing on the
troops at every opportunity. think
Lieutenant Gresham Is worthy OF recogli-
ton for his gallant conduct On TINS occa-
sion.
Again, on December 90. 1890. when the
troops formed part of a dismounted Skin
mish line IN action in the valley of White
CLAW Creek, s. D.. the position was
for awhile an important one, COW
ering the withdrawal OF other troops,
and holding the crest OF ridge. Order
for our withdrawal had been gwen and the
movement commenced, when heavy fire
opened on our line, which threatened for a
moment TO demoralize II. Orders were
gwen 70 retake at once and hold the crest.
Lieutenant Gresham was among the men;
catching hold Of them and by word and
example urged them back. The line was
reoccuped. but not until our fire had ST.
fenced that Of the Indians did Lieutenant
Gresham leave his erect position on the
crest of the ridge. This vas done under a
heavy fire, and the act was, | think, well
worthy the notice of the regimental COM
mander."
On March 3, 1891. the colonel command
ing, addressing the Adiutant-General OF
tine United States. recommended to be
mentioned in orders from the headquar-
ters of the army: First-Lieutenant j.
G. Gresham for GOODNESS and gallantry
while in charge OF detachment OF troops
displacing certain hostile Indians from a
raYine at the battle of Wounded Knee,
December ~. 1902