b. 21/03/1838 New York. d. 18/03/1900 New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 30/06/1862 White Oak Swamp Bridge, Virginia.
Rufus King MOH
Born in New York City, Rufus King Jr. was the son of Rufus King, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, Class of 1833, and brigadier general during the Civil War, and the brother of Charles King, who was a military commander in the Philippine–American War. His great-grandfather was Rufus King, who was one of the signers of the United States Constitution.
The younger King entered the army as a private in Company F, 7th New York Militia, serving a three-month enlistment from April to June 1861. He acquired a direct commission as a first lieutenant in the regular U.S. Army, and was assigned to the 4th U.S. Artillery, on August 5, 1861. He served in the Army of the Potomac throughout the war, eventually commanding (from 1864) 4th U.S. Light Artillery, Battery A, in the famed U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade. Lieutenant King was awarded one brevet promotion (to captain) for his bravery during the Seven Days Battles, in actions at the Battle of White Oak Swamp, on June 30, 1862. During that fight, King ranked only as a section chief, took command of combined Batteries A & C, 4th U.S. Artillery, when his commander was wounded.
At the end of the war, King was brevetted major for conduct during the war, but would have to wait until 1869 to receive his permanent promotion to captain. He was honorably mustered out of the Army on January 1, 1871. He did not receive his Medal of Honor until April 2, 1898.
Rufus King has been incorrectly credited with designing a disappearing gun carriage known as King’s Depression Carriage in the late 1860s. This carriage was, in fact, designed by William Rice King, of the Army Corps of Engineers. This used a counterweight to allow a 15-inch (381 mm) Rodman gun to be moved up and down a swiveling ramp, so the weapon could be reloaded, elevated, and traversed behind cover. It was not adopted. Part of a test installation at Fort Foote, Maryland remains.
King was a Veteran companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and an hereditary companion of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.
MOH CITATION:
This officer, when his captain was wounded, succeeded to the command of two batteries while engaged against a superior force of the enemy and fought his guns most gallantly until compelled to retire.
BURIAL LOCATION: EVERGREEN CEMETERY, HILLSIDE, NEW JERSEY.
LOT 42, LAWN PLOT 3, MAP 5.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
