9th
Cavalry |
Lawton-Fort
Sill Chapter |
10 th Cavalry |
Near Cuchillo Negro, New Mexico Territory, on August 16, 1881, a patrol led by 1st Lt. Gustavus Valois clashed with Nana's Apache band. During the sharp fighting, 10 of the troopers' mounts went down, and several of the men were wounded. In the chaos, a Private Burton's horse became unmanageable, carrying its helpless rider right toward the enemy. Within 100 yards of Nana's warriors, Burton tumbled to the ground. By then, Augustus Walley, 1st Sgt. Moses Williams and 2nd Lt. George R. Burnett had taken cover and were pouring fire into the attackers. Walley leapt onto his own horse and galloped toward the downed trooper. He jumped down, placed Burton in the saddle and sprang on behind, spurring both of them to safety. Burnett, Walley and Williams received the Medal of Honor.
