William Wilson

William Wilson (1847-1895) DOUBLE RECIPIENT of the Medal of Honor

Earned FIRST Medal of Honor During the Indian Campaigns For heroism March 28, 1872 at Colorado Valley, TX

Earned SECOND Medal of Honor During the Indian Campaigns For heroism September 29, 1872 at Red River, TX

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

to

WILSON, WILLIAM

First Award - Indian Campaigns

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company I, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Colorado Valley, Tex., 28 March 1872. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth: Philadelphia, Pa. Date of issue: 27 April 1872.

Citation:

In pursuit of a band of cattle thieves from New Mexico.

Second Award - Indian Campaigns

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company I, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Red River, Tex., 29 September 1872. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth: Philadelphia, Pa. Date of issue: 27 April 1872.

Citation:

Distinguished conduct in action with Indians, Red River, Tex.

More information

First Award

As Colonel MacKenzie commanded an expedition over the Staked Plains of Texas in 1872 to find and rout hostile Indian forces, Companies A, D, F, I and L of the 4th US Cavalry made a one-day march to reach the North Fork of the Red River, where a large camp of Comanche was sighted. As the cavalry moved towards the 280 lodge encampment, the Indian ponies stampeded and alarmed the Indians to the soldiers' approach. Immediately they engaged the cavalry in fierce combat, during which Lieutenant Hudson of Troop I was leading the advance. While crossing the river, Hudson's horse and the horses of other men, became trapped in quicksand, and could neither advance or retreat. Colonel Mackenzie ordered Sergeant Wilson to take command of the troop, which he did with courage and skill, continuing the charge to hold the right flank of the village.

Second Award

On March 28, 1872 Sergeant William Wilson when he led his troop consisting of 20 privates in an attack on a band of Indians and Mexican cattle thieves near Fort Concho, Texas as part of the Red River (Colorado River) campaign. In the ensuing battle his leadership enabled his small troop to kill four enemy, wound several, and Sergeant Wilson himself captured one prisoner. This brave action not only disrupted the marauding Indian and Mexican band, but as a result it took from them all their supplies and camp equipment. The capture of a prisoner also furnished much valuable information regarding the location of other hostile camps throughout the area.