Years of service 1884–1893 | Name Powhatan Clarke Rank First Lieutenant | |
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Born October 9, 1862Alexandria, Louisiana ( 1862-10-09 ) Battles/wars Apache WarsGeronimo CampaignLebo ExpeditionCherry Creek Campaign Battles and wars Apache Wars, Cherry Creek Campaign | ||
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.
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Life
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. He partly studied in France. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1884.
Clarke was a Second Lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Davis, Texas. 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 Westphalian hussar regiment. The discipline of the German Army greatly impressed him. 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 the Little Bighorn River on July 21, 1893, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Pinito Mountains, Sonora, Mex., May 3, 1886. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Birth: Alexandria, La. Date of issue: March 12, 1891.
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.