| Powhatan Henry Clarke | |
|---|---|
Powhatan Henry Clarke wearing his Medal of Honor |
|
| Born | October 9, 1862 Alexandria, Louisiana |
| Died | July 21, 1893 (aged 30) Fort Custer, Montana |
| Place of burial | Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1884–1893 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 10th U.S. Cavalry 9th U.S. Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Powhatan Henry Clarke (October 9, 1862 – July 21, 1893) was a United States Army First Lieutenant who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Geronimo Campaign in Sonora, Mexico. He received the medal for rescuing a wounded soldier on May 3, 1886.[1]
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Clarke was born at Alexandria, Louisiana on October 9, 1862. He was the grandson of U.S. federal judge Henry Boyce and Irene Archinard, and the son of Louise Frances Boyce and Dr. (Professor) Powhatan Clarke.[2][3] He partly studied in France. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1884.[4]
Clarke was a Second Lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Davis, Texas.[4][5] On May 3, 1886, he rescued one of his wounded soldiers, Corporal Edward Scott, who was under heavy fire from Apaches at Pinito Mountains, Sonora. He received a Medal of Honor for this action. He was the commander of Apache Scouts until 1891. In 1891, he became First Lieutenant and he was transferred to the 9th Cavalry Regiment. He was back with the 10th Cavalry by early 1892. In 1891–92 he was an observer, stationed at Düsseldorf, with a hussars regiment. The discipline of the German Army greatly impressed him.[6] From 1892 until his death in 1893, he lived in Fort Custer, Montana. In 1892 he married Elizabeth Clemens of St. Louis, Missouri; they had one son. He drowned in a river on July 21, 1893, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.[5]
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Pinito Mountains, Sonora, Mex., 3 May 1886. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Birth: Alexandria, La. Date of issue: 12 March 1891.[1]
Citation:
Rushed forward to the rescue of a soldier who was severely wounded and lay, disabled, exposed to the enemy's fire, and carried him to a place of safety.
Photo courtesy of the Helen and Alfred Wettermark Collection