b. 13/12/1854 New York. d. 25/10/1936 Ashfield, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 1879 Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico.
Robert T Emmet MOH
Emmet was born in New York City to William Jenkins Emmet and Julia Colt Pierson. He is the great-grandson of Thomas Addis Emmet, a lawyer, who was an elder brother of executed Irish nationalist Robert Emmet. His father’s parents were Robert Emmet and Rosina Hubley. His mother’s parents were Josiah G. Pierson and Julia Colt.
He has a twin sister named Rosina Emmet Sherwood and had two other sisters, Lydia Field Emmet and Jane Emmet de Glehn. All three of his sisters were noted portrait artists. In addition he had four brothers, Christopher Temple Emmet, a graduate of the Yale Forest School Class of 1902; William LeRoy Emmet, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1881; Devereux Emmet; and Richard Stockton Emmet. His uncle, John Emmet attended West Point from 1814-1817.
An 1877 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, he served during the Wars with the Plains Indians as a 2nd Lieutenant in Troop G, 9th United States Cavalry (his modern Medal of Honor grave marker lists his last name as “Emmett). He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico on September 18. 1879. His citation reads “Lt. Emmet was in G Troop which was sent to relieve a detachment of soldiers under attack by hostile Apaches During a flank attack on the Indian camp, made to divert the hostiles Lt. Emmet and 5 of his men became surrounded when the Indians returned to defend their camp. Finding that the Indians were making for a position from which they could direct their fire on the retreating troop, the Lieutenant held his point with his party until the soldiers reached the safety of a canyon. Lt. Emmet then continued to hold his position while his party recovered their horses. The enemy force consisted of approximately 200”. His Medal was awarded to him on August 24, 1899. He was one of nineteen soldiers and officers of the 9th United States Cavalry (which was a regiment of “Buffalo Soldiers”) to be awarded the CMOH for their bravery during the various late 19th century actions against the Indians on the western frontier.
MOH CITATION:
Lt. Emmet was in G Troop which was sent to relieve a detachment of soldiers under attack by hostile Apaches During a flank attack on the Indian camp, made to divert the hostiles Lt. Emmet and 5 of his men became surrounded when the Indians returned to defend their camp. Finding that the Indians were making for a position from which they could direct their fire on the retreating troop, the Lieutenant held his point with his party until the soldiers reached the safety of a canyon. Lt. Emmet then continued to hold his position while his party recovered their horses. The enemy force consisted of approximately 200.
BURIAL LOCATION: BEECHWOODS CEMETERY, NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK.
SECTION 32, LOT 759, GRAVE 9
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
