James F. Ayers
Encyclopedia
James F. Ayers was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 6th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was a participant in the Red River War
and one of several men received the Medal of Honor
for bravery fighting Indians at Sappa Creek, Kansas on April 23, 1875.
where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 6th U.S. Cavalry and sent to the frontier where he took part in campaigns against the Plains Indians
, particularly the Red River War
, during the 1870s. He was cited for bravery while battle Indians at Sappa Creek, Kansas on April 23, 1875. He was one of several regimental members to receive the Medal of Honor
, Ayers receiving his award for "rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians" on November 16, 1876. Ayers remained in the military until his death at Fort Riley, Kansas, on January 18, 1895, and interred at the post 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 6th 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 a participant in the Red River War
Red River War
The Red River War was a military campaign launched by the United States Army in 1874, as part of the Comanche War, to remove the Comanche, Kiowa, Southern Cheyenne, and Arapaho Native American tribes from the Southern Plains and forcibly relocate them to reservations in Indian Territory...
and one of several 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 bravery fighting Indians at Sappa Creek, Kansas on April 23, 1875.
Biography
James F. Ayers was born in Collinstown, Virginia. He later moved to RichmondRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 6th U.S. Cavalry and sent to the frontier where he took part in campaigns against the Plains Indians
Plains Indians
The Plains Indians are the Indigenous peoples who live on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. Their colorful equestrian culture and resistance to White domination have made the Plains Indians an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere.Plains...
, particularly the Red River War
Red River War
The Red River War was a military campaign launched by the United States Army in 1874, as part of the Comanche War, to remove the Comanche, Kiowa, Southern Cheyenne, and Arapaho Native American tribes from the Southern Plains and forcibly relocate them to reservations in Indian Territory...
, during the 1870s. He was cited for bravery while battle Indians at Sappa Creek, Kansas on April 23, 1875. He was one of several regimental members to receive 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...
, Ayers receiving his award for "rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians" on November 16, 1876. Ayers remained in the military until his death at Fort Riley, Kansas, on January 18, 1895, and interred at the post cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Sappa Creek, Kans., 23 April 1875. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Collinstown, Va. Date of issue: 16 November 1876.Citation:
Rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians.