Years of service 1859–1901 Rank Brigadier General | Name Abraham Arnold Awards Medal of Honor | |
Born March 24, 1837
Bedford, Pennsylvania ( 1837-03-24 ) Place of burial Cemetery of Saint Philip's Church
Garrison, New York Commands held 1st U.S. Cavalry
8th U.S. Cavalry Battles/wars American Civil War
Battle of Gaines' Mill
Battle of Todds Tavern
Battle of Davenport Bridge
Indian Wars
Apache Wars
Battle of Cibecue Creek
Spanish–American War Died November 3, 1901, Cold Spring, New York, United States Education United States Military Academy Battles and wars American Civil War, Battle of Gaines's Mill, Battle of Todd's Tavern, American Indian Wars, Spanish–American War Service/branch United States Army, Union Army Allegiance United States of America, Union | ||
Abraham Kerns Arnold (March 24, 1837 – November 3, 1901) was a U.S. Cavalry officer during the American Civil War and, while a captain in the 5th U.S. Cavalry, received the Medal of Honor for leading "a gallant charge against a superior force of the enemy, extricated his command from a perilous position in which it had been ordered" against Confederate forces at Davenport Bridge, Virginia, on May 10, 1864.
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He is the father of Colonel Percy Weir Arnold, a cavalry officer serving during the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War and the First World War.
Early life and education
Born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, Arnold entered West Point and graduated with the class of 1859 as a brevet Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
Career
Participating in campaigns against the Comanche while stationed in Fort Inge, Arnold held a distinguished service record during the American Civil War. Promoted to first lieutenant in April 1861, he served as adjutant of the 5th Cavalry Regiment. He was cited "for gallant and meritorious services" at Gaines' Mill and Todds Tavern, brevetted to captain and major after both engagements respectively. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Davenport Bridge leading his regiment in a cavalry charge against superior Confederate forces to rescue men under his command and preventing their capture.
In June 1869, he was promoted to full major of the 6th U.S. Cavalry. By early 1879, he was directing operations against the Apaches in southeastern Arizona, accompanying an expedition into Mexico later that year in pursuit of renegade Apaches to Lake Guzman. As acting assistant adjutant general to General Orlando B. Willcox, Arnold would also take part in the Battle of Cibecue Creek on August 30, 1881. As a lieutenant colonel in 1886, he would also fight in the expedition against the Crows of the North Plains the following year. He would hold a number of command posts during the next twelve years, including a term as commander of the Cavalry and Light Artillery School (1895-1898), and was promoted to colonel in 1891.
During the Spanish–American War, he accepted a field commission as brigadier general of volunteers and led 2nd U.S. Division of the 7th Army Corps in Cuba from January 16, 1898, until April 1, 1899.
Death and legacy
He retired on March 25, 1901, and died several months later in Cold Spring-On-Hudson, New York, on November 3, 1901. His grave can be found in the Cemetery of Saint Philip's Church Garrison, New York.