Edward Johnston (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
Edward Johnston was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 5th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was one of thirty-one men received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry during General Nelson A. Miles
winter campaign against the Sioux
in the Montana Territory
from October 21, 1876 to January 8, 1877.
on February 8, 1844. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Chicago, Illinois and joined the 5th U.S. Cavalry where he eventually became a sergeant
. Assigned to frontier duty in the Montana Territory
, Johnston took part in General Nelson A. Miles
winter campaign against the Sioux
from October 21, 1876 to January 8, 1877. He fought at several major engagements during this time, most notably, at the Battle of Cedar Creek
on October 21, 1876. He was one of the thirty-one men in his regiment who received the Medal of Honor
for "gallantry in action". After leaving the military, Johnston returned to his hometown where he died on January 20, 1920, at the age of 75. He was interred at Lakeview Cemetery.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in the U.S. Army
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 5th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. He was one of thirty-one men 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 gallantry during General Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
winter campaign against the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
from October 21, 1876 to January 8, 1877.
Biography
Edward Johnston was born in Penn Yan, New YorkPenn Yan, New York
Penn Yan is a village in Yates County, New York, USA. The population was 5,219 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Yates County and lies at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes....
on February 8, 1844. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Chicago, Illinois and joined the 5th U.S. Cavalry where he eventually became a sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. Assigned to frontier duty in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
, Johnston took part in General Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
winter campaign against the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
from October 21, 1876 to January 8, 1877. He fought at several major engagements during this time, most notably, at the Battle of Cedar Creek
Battle of Cedar Creek (1876)
The Battle of Cedar Creek occurred on October 21, 1876, in the Montana Territory between the United States Army and a force of Lakota Sioux native Americans during the Great Sioux War of 1876....
on October 21, 1876. He was one of the thirty-one men in his regiment who 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 "gallantry in action". After leaving the military, Johnston returned to his hometown where he died on January 20, 1920, at the age of 75. He was interred at Lakeview Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company C, 5th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Cedar Creek, etc., Mont., October 1876 to 8 January 1877. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Birth: Pen Yan, N.Y. Date of issue: 27 April 1877.Citation:
Gallantry in action.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
Further reading
- Konstantin, Phil. This Day in North American Indian History: Important Dates in the History of North America's Native Peoples for Every Calendar Day. New York: Da Capo Press, 2002. ISBN 0-306-81170-7