b. 07/02/1843 New Orleans, Louisiana. d. 26/04/1909 on board SS Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 16/05/1869 Spring Creek, Nebraska.
John B Babcock MOH
Babcock was born in New Orleans, a great-great-grandson of Joshua Babcock. He joined the 37th New York Volunteer Infantry as a sergeant in 1862. After being commissioned a second lieutenant in November 1862, he fought in several battles that took place in Louisiana. He reached the rank of major of volunteers in the 62nd New York Volunteer Infantry on January 1, 1865, three months before the end of the war. He resigned his commission on July 23, 1865.
Babcock was appointed to the Regular Army as second lieutenant on January 22, 1867 and fought against the Kiowa and the Cheyenne during the Indian Wars. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1868, to captain in 1877, to major in 1893 and to lieutenant colonel in 1897.
In 1897 he received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action in 1869.
After the outbreak of the Spanish American War, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers in June 1898 but reverted to his Regular Army rank of lieutenant colonel in November of the same year. He was promoted to colonel in February 1901 and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on August 7, 1903 and retired the next day. General Babcock died from Bright’s disease on board the SS Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm, while traveling from Bremen to New York City.
MOH CITATION:
While serving with a scouting column, this officer’s troop was attacked by a vastly superior force of Indians. Advancing to high ground, he dismounted his men, remaining mounted himself to encourage them, and there fought the Indians until relieved, his horse being wounded.
BURIAL LOCATION: EVERGREEN CEMETERY, STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT.
POMEROY AVENUE, GRAVE 924.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
