Sgt. William Winterbottom, Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant William Winterbottom, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 12 July 1870, while serving with Company A, 6th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Wichita River, Texas.

General Orders: Date of Issue: August 25, 1870

Action Date: July 12, 1870

Service: Army

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Company A

http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/1955/winterbottom-william.php

Indian Campaigns Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in United States Army during the Wars with the Plains Indians as a Sergeant in Company A, 6th United States Cavalry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in action on July 12, 1870 at the Battle of the Little Wichita River, Texas, with his citation for the award reading simply "Gallantry in action." In the action he was part of a force of 57 men from the 6th Cavalry that went in pursuit of 250-strong group of Kiowa Indians led by Chief Kicking Bird. After tracking the Kiowas for five days, the cavalry force met them on the Wichita River in Archer County, Texas. After a short initial fight, the cavalrymen found that they were outnumbered and outgunned, and fought a fierce defensive battle that left 3 United States soldiers and fifteen Kiowas dead. After the Kiowas broke off the engagement in the early evening, the soldiers retreated, eventually making it back to their home base of Fort Richardson near Jacksboro, Texas. Thirteen troopers were awarded the CMOH on August 25, 1870, for their performance and bravery during the battle, Sergeant Winterbottom being one of them

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7197368

He also fought in the Civil War with the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry,as a courier and scout. Taken POW at Cold Springs Harbor, Virginia, following Battle of Gettysburg, Sent to CSA Andersonville POW Camp, Paroled 1864 sent back north. Enlisted in Hancock's 2nd Volunteer Corps discharged 1865. Was wounded in stomach 1870 in the battle at Little Wichita River in Texas.

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