The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-21
MEDAL OF HONOR
Two Won by Sergeant Wilson, a
Brave Trooper.
STORIES OF INDIAN WARS
The Only Man in the American Army
who Has Been Twice Awarded
the Medal Of Honor.

English soldiers regard the Victoria
cross as the highest prize that can be
won, and the Frenchman looks eagerly
forward to the time when he can pin
upon his breast the Gloss of the Legion
of Honor. Individual acts of gallantry
in the American army are not often
greeted with a flourish of trumpets or
special decoration, but there is at least
one substantial and much coveted re.
ward. 1t is known as the medal OF
honor. This little bronze star Is dim.
cult to obtain, and is only granted in
rare cases. Congress must vote upon
the question just as If it were an espe.
cial act Numbers of veterans in the
army have gained such medal, but
they are far more limited in numbers
than the similar lists of other countries
would show. The rarity with which
this medal is awarded makes it all the
more highly priced by the recipients,
and Sergeant Wilson of Troop B, United
States cavalry, now stationed at Pre-
sidio, the military post of San Fran
cisco. doubtless feels corresponding
pride in the fact that he is the only man
who has ever won two of these medals.
The sergeant Is still further distin-
euished by having performed deeds of
bravery emitting him to two other dec
orations. The medals of honor were
both gained by him in the space of two
years, and were conferred for deeds of
daring In Indian campaigns.
Wilson was sergeant of Troop I.
Fonrth cavalry, in the year 1872, when
1t was ordered to Fort Concho, Texas.
One morning, says the San Francisco
Examiner, he was ordered to report to
the officer in command for an especial
service.
There is a band of Comanches up the
river and it has Just carried of lot of
Cattle" said the officer to him: "Take
"A corporal and ten men and see
il you can head them OFF,
1t was only few moments after that
SHOOTS and saddles" was sounded, and
the little party was In full chase on the
track of the redskins. All the morning
and all the afternoon the men kept up
their rapid pace, stopping half an hour
at dusk to refresh their horses. Then
into the saddles again, and they pressed
forward through the starlight night
hot on the trail. All the night long the
chase was pressed, until faint glow in
the horizon announced the break of day.
They had reached the mountains, and
now the trail led up the steep declivi
ties toward the canon Of the Colorado
river. Sleep was not thought of then
and fatigue was forgotten, for now the
scent was hot. At noon they reached
the river and called a halt for break
fast. Hardly was the campfire lit when
the man whom they had sent some dis
lance ahead as lookout was observed
to be running toward them at full speed.
At this alal m the soldiers dash ed water
over the Are and flung their brides
over the horses heads.
.They are JUS: ahead of us, up the
riv.rw gasped the breathless scout.
Bounding into their saddles the troop
ers clapped spurs to their horses and
pressed forward at full gallop. Wilson
.h~ and HE animal <oolr
a small stream at jumphe wa. greeted
by a struggling volley of rife shots
Needless of all obstacles the caval-ymen
charged at full speed through the In
dian camp to a small eminence in their
rear. They sheltered themselves be
hind rocks, realizing that they had
their quarry at bay. The Indians, who
ou,numbered them, lad rallied, and,
after the savage fashion, fought desper.
ately to escape. 1t was a bitter contest.
aud ly the cool, determined fire which
Wilson and his men kept up won the
victory. Al last, after fight of several
hours, when some of the Indians were
killed and wounded signal of surren- |
der was made. Saddles and wigwams
of the captured were burned, and Ser
eeant Wilson escorted his prisoners
back to Fort Concho without the loss of
a man or horse in bis detachment and
with the record of 100 miles In 6fty-four
hours. And this is why congress award
ed him medal No. 1.
Among the captured Indians was one
who gave information regarding the |
exact spot on the Staked Plains where
the headquarters of the Comanche
tribe was located. As soon AZ this was
learned three columns we're formed to
proceed against the Indians. the COL
umns being severally headed by Cen
eral Miles. General Mckenzie and Col.
onel Grierson. Sergeant Wilson was
10 the command led by General McKen-
zle, who, after scouting all over the
plain for some time, was compelled to
return to camp, most of his horses be-
ing worn out. He had encountered
several struggling parties of Indians,
bnt had seen nothing Of the main body.
and on returning to camp with his com.
mand left small force of picked men
to continue the search. Lieutenant
IIadson had charge of the party, and
after two days had PASSED without
special incident they snddenly sighted