b. 24/03/1837 Bedford, Pennsylvania. d. 03/11/1901 Cold Spring, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 10/05/1864 Davenport Ridge, Virginia.
Abraham K Arnold MOH
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. Participating in campaigns against the Commanche 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 Congressional 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. His Medal was awarded to him on September 1, 1893, twenty-nine years later.
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 with various cavalry units during the next twelve years.
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. He passed away in Cold Springs-on-the-Hudson, New York, only months after his retirement.
MOH CITATION:
By a gallant charge against a superior force of the enemy, extricated his command from a perilous position in which it had been ordered.
BURIAL LOCATION: ST PHILIP’S CHURCH, GARRISON, NEW YORK.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
