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Archive for Indian Wars Medal of Honor Winner William B. Lewis [134218]

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Archive for Indian Wars Medal of Honor Winner William B. Lewis   [134218]
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Archive for Medal of Honor winner William B. Lewis. Three personal items plus a large group of research materials and background information including photocopies of military records related to Lewis' time in the military.

1) 1877 Liberty seated half dollar engraved to be a personal ID tag. Two holes at top for suspension. Reverse: Sgt. / Will. B. Lewis / Co. B 3D. U.S. Cav / Bluff Station/ Wyo. 1-22-77.

2) Red "shoulder colors."

3) Medallion with ribbon. Obverse: Indian Wars /[raised pictorial of Native American on horseback] // United States Army / [eagle on arrows] / For / Service. 1.25" diameter. Ribbon is 2" long. Comes in case. Edge of medal is stamped with "MEDALLIC ART CO N.Y."

William B. Lewis enrolled in the cavalry in January 1874. He was stationed with Co. B of the 3rd Cavalry at Fort Laramie during the Indian Wars. On January 9th, 1879, a group of Chief Dull Knife's Cheyennes broke out of the garrison at Fort Robinson. Companies B and D of the 3rd Cavalry were dispatched to help block their escape farther West. On January 20th, 1879, Lewis and two others volunteered to scout out the Cheyenne's position. They found a wounded Cheyenne warrior who had been left behind. This Cheyenne shot at Lewis and the other soldiers. Lewis killed him. Capt. John B. Johnson, who was Lewis' commander, recommended him for the Medal of Honor on February 7th. It was awarded to Lewis in front of the garrison at Fort Laramie on April 17, 1879. His citation was for "Bravery in skirmish." Lewis had a tragic life after the award. In March 1884, while serving as quartermaster sergeant at Fort Leavenworth, his arm was severely bitten by a horse. The limb became paralyzed, and Lewis was discharged on April 2nd, 1885. His health continued to decline in the following years, leading to his death at the young age of 53 on Nov. 1st, 1900 in Mamaroneck, New York. He is buried in Beechwoods Cemetery in New Rochelle, NY. [Sources: The Nebraska Indian Wars Reader, R. Eli Paul; photocopies of historical records, included in this lot]

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State: Wyoming
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