Edgar R. Aston
Encyclopedia
Edgar R. Aston was a soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 8th U.S. Cavalry during the Apache Wars
against Cochise
. He was one of two men, along with Pvt. William Cubberly, received the Medal of Honor
for finding a passageway for an army column trapped in a 4,000-foot valley, and later defending his party against an Apache attack, at San Carlos, Arizona
on May 30, 1868.
in 1847. At age 16 during the Civil War
, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 153rd Ohio Infantry
, a 100 days service
regiment, and served from May to September 1864. After the war's end, he remained with the U.S. Army and was posted on frontier duty. During the Apache Wars
against Cochise
, he was a member of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and was commended for distinguished service throughout the campaign.
On May 30, 1868, Aston and two other men volunteered to search out a wagon passage when an infantry column found themselves trapped in a 4,000-foot valley at San Carlos, Arizona
. The three men passed through six miles of hostile Apache terrain before finding a suitable passageway out of the valley. On their return to the column, they successfully defended themselves against an Apache attack. For his actions, Aston received the Medal of Honor
. He remained a career soldier for 30 years until retiring with pension in 1893. After a long illness, he died in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 14, 1932, at the age of 85. He was buried at the Tate Township Cemetery.
Citation:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
who served with the 8th U.S. Cavalry during the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
against Cochise
Cochise
Cochise was a chief of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apache and the leader of an uprising that began in 1861. Cochise County, Arizona is named after him.-Biography:...
. He was one of two men, along with Pvt. William Cubberly, received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for finding a passageway for an army column trapped in a 4,000-foot valley, and later defending his party against an Apache attack, at San Carlos, Arizona
San Carlos, Arizona
San Carlos is a census-designated place in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,716 at the 2000 census.San Carlos is the largest community in and the seat of government for the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation....
on May 30, 1868.
Biography
Edgar R. Aston was born in New Richmond, OhioNew Richmond, Ohio
New Richmond is a village in Clermont County, Ohio, United States, founded 1814, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,219 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Richmond is located at ....
in 1847. At age 16 during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 153rd Ohio Infantry
153rd Ohio Infantry
The 153rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 153rd Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Dennison near Cincinnati, Ohio and mustered in May 10, 1864 for 100 days service under the command of Colonel Israel Stough.The regiment...
, a 100 days service
Hundred Days Men
The Hundred Days Men was the nickname applied to a series of volunteer regiments raised in 1864 for 100-days service in the Union Army during the height of the American Civil War...
regiment, and served from May to September 1864. After the war's end, he remained with the U.S. Army and was posted on frontier duty. During the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
against Cochise
Cochise
Cochise was a chief of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apache and the leader of an uprising that began in 1861. Cochise County, Arizona is named after him.-Biography:...
, he was a member of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and was commended for distinguished service throughout the campaign.
On May 30, 1868, Aston and two other men volunteered to search out a wagon passage when an infantry column found themselves trapped in a 4,000-foot valley at San Carlos, Arizona
San Carlos, Arizona
San Carlos is a census-designated place in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,716 at the 2000 census.San Carlos is the largest community in and the seat of government for the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation....
. The three men passed through six miles of hostile Apache terrain before finding a suitable passageway out of the valley. On their return to the column, they successfully defended themselves against an Apache attack. For his actions, Aston received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. He remained a career soldier for 30 years until retiring with pension in 1893. After a long illness, he died in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 14, 1932, at the age of 85. He was buried at the Tate Township Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company L, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At San Carlos, Ariz., 30 May 1868. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Clermont County, Ohio. Date of issue: 28 July 1868.Citation:
With 2 other men he volunteered to search for a wagon passage out of a 4,000-foot valley wherein an infantry column was immobile. This small group passed 6 miles among hostile Apache terrain finding the sought passage. On their return trip down the canyon they were attacked by Apaches who were successfully held at bay.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
Further reading
- Manning, Robert, ed. Above and Beyond: A History of the Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam. Boston: Boston Publishing Company, 1985. ISBN 0-939526-19-0