Charles A. Bessey

Charles A. Bessey (1848–1909) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States.

Charles A. Bessey
Etched likeness on grave marker
Born1848
Reading, Massachusetts
Died1909 (aged 60–61)
Place of burial
Biloxi City Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Ranksergeant
Unit3rd Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsGreat Sioux War of 1876-77
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Bessey was born in Reading, Massachusetts[1] in 1848.[2] By January 13, 1877, he was serving as a corporal in Company A of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment[1] in the midst of the Great Sioux War of 1876-77.[3]

On that day, Bessey and three privates were repairing a telegraph line between Forts Laramie and Fetterman in eastern Wyoming Territory when they learned that Native Americans had attacked three herders close by,[3] near Elkhorn Creek.[1] Bessey led his small group against the much larger Native American force and successfully rescued the herders, although he and two of his men were wounded in the process.[3] For these actions, the four men were commended in general orders[3] and, thirteen years later on May 15, 1890, Bessey was awarded the Medal of Honor.[1]

Bessey was later promoted to sergeant and became Chief Musician of his regiment. He retired in 1899 and died ten years later of kidney failure, probably caused by the wound he received near Elkhorn Creek.[4] Aged 60 or 61 at his death, he was buried in Biloxi City Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi.[2]

After his death, his Medal of Honor was held by his daughter, who displayed it in her home. A hurricane destroyed the house and the medal was thought to be lost, but was eventually found in the wreckage. The family then donated the medal to the Third Cavalry Museum at Fort Hood, Texas.[5]

Charles Bessey Grave

Medal of Honor citation

Bessey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

While scouting with 4 men and attacked in ambush by 14 hostile Indians, held his ground, 2 of his men being wounded, and kept up the fight until himself wounded in the side, and then went to the assistance of his wounded comrades.[1]

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See also

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. "Indian Wars Period Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. January 27, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  2. usgwarchives.net
  3. Robinson, Charles M., III, ed. (2005). The Diaries of John Gregory Bourke. Volume 2. Denton, Texas: University of North Texas Press. p. 247. ISBN 978-1-57441-196-6.
  4. "1st Squadron: "Tiger Squadron"". GlobalSecurity.org. May 23, 2005. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  5. Stairrett, Amanda Kim (March 7, 2009). "Third Cavalry Museum to be ready in May". Killeen Daily Herald. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
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