Private Elisha Simpson Hornaday was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 23, 1875 at Sappa Creek, Kansas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Hornaday was 24 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 16, 1876. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.
Hornaday was born on March 24, 1851 in Hendricks County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Hornaday died on July 9, 1923 in San Diego, California, at the age of 72. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego, California.
Hornaday is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With five other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- March 24, 1851Born in Hendricks County, Indiana
- April 23, 1875Act of valor — Sappa Creek, KansasAge 24. Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry
- November 16, 1876Medal of Honor presented
- July 9, 1923Died in San Diego, CaliforniaAge 72.
- Resting placeGreenwood CemeterySan Diego, California
