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Submitted: 9/25/13 • Approved: 8/12/18 • Last Updated: 8/15/18 • R8305-G0-S3
PRIVATE US Army
Company H 6 Cavalry
Indian Wars
1847 - January 18, 1895
Medal Of Honor Indian Campaigns Sappa Creek, Kansas
Born in Collinstown, Virginia
Entered the Service from Richmond, Virginia He remained in the service until his death
April 23, 1875
Shortly after the Southern Cheyenne Indian tribe surrendered in the spring of 1875, a renegade band of sixty or seventy rebelling warriors escaped, crossed the Arkansas River, and tried to make their way into Sioux country north of the Platte River. Private James Ayers was one of eight troopers of Company H, 6th Cavalry cited for heroism after a detachment of forty soldiers was dispatched from Fort Lyon, Colorado, to capture or kill the renegades. The two forces engaged in battle at Sappa Creek, Kansas, on April 23 during which nineteen Indians were killed and the entire camp was captured. Private Ayers was cited for "Rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise" in that battle.
Also earning Medals of Honor in the Sappa Creek Battle were: Sergeants Frederick Platten and Richard Tea, Peter Gardiner, Elisha Hornaday, James Lowthers, and Marcus Robbins, and Trumpeteer Michael Dawson.
Received his Medal November 16, 1876 Here is the Citation:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James F. Ayers, United States Army, for rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians on 23 April 1875, while serving with Company H, 6th US Cavalry, in action at Sappa Creek, Kansas.
General Orders: Date of Issue: November 16, 1876
Contributed on 9/25/13 by tootied
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Record #: 8305