Corporal Charles Albert Bessey was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 13, 1877 at Elkhorn Creek, Wyoming during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company A, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Bessey was 28 years old.
The medal was presented on May 15, 1890, 13 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Chief Musician-Ret..
Bessey was born on November 6, 1848 in Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Bessey died on June 4, 1909 in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the age of 60. He is buried at Old Biloxi Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi. His medal is held by 3d Cavalry Regiment Museum, Fort Hood, TX.
Bessey is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While scouting with four men and being attacked in ambush by 14 hostile Indians, held his ground, two 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Great Sioux War of 1876.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- November 6, 1848Born in Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- January 13, 1877Act of valor — Elkhorn Creek, WyomingAge 28. Company A, 3d U.S. Cavalry
- May 15, 1890Medal of Honor presented
- June 4, 1909Died in Biloxi, MississippiAge 60.
- Resting placeOld Biloxi CemeteryBiloxi, Mississippi
Biography
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.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles A. Bessey”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
