Amos Chapman - Seiling, OK - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

County of site: Dewey County
Location of site: Brumfield Cemetery , Seiling, OK

Born: March 15, 1839 at Kalamazoo, MI

Entered Service as a Civilian Scout for the US Army from Fort Supply, OK

   Awarded The Medal of Honor During the Indian Campaigns For heroism September 12, 1874 at Washita River, TX

Died: July 18, 1925 at the age of 86

On September 12, 1874, the third day of a siege in which a force of more than 100 Indians surrounded and attacked the Lyman Supply Train at the Upper Washita River in Texas, General Nelson Miles sent a detachment of three soldiers and two civilian scouts under Sergeant Zachariah Woodall to deliver a dispatch to Camp Supply. En route the six men were attacked along the Washita River by 125 Indians. Amos Chapman was one of the expeditions two scouts. Throughout the day the four soldiers and two civilian scouts, after taking shelter in a ravine, continued a valiant resistance while defending their wounded. A band of twenty-five Indians succeeded in scattering the detachment's horses and the men fell back to a small knoll where throughout the day they were attacked from all directions. Without water, the men resisted and were down to 200 rounds of ammunition when night fell. The following day the survivors were recovered by a relief force. Along with Amos Chapman's award, Medals of Honor were awarded to Sergeant Zechariah Woodall, Private Peter Roth, Private John Harrington, Private George Smith (KIA), and fellow Civilian Scout William Dixon.

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Originally there were eight civilians awarded the MOH, however during the ‘Purge of 1917’ (when the government revised the rules for the award and disqualified 911 recipients). The original eight had their honor rescinded. Under a revised ruling, on 12 June, 1989, seven had their honors returned (the eighth had hers returned in 1977).

His listing and some text on Find-A-Grave

“The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Civilian Scout William Dixon/Amos Chapman, a United States Civilian, for gallantry in action on 12 September 1874, while serving as an Indian Scout with the 6th U.S. Cavalry, at Washita River, Texas.”

Description: Amos Chapman frontier scout   Indian fighter   friend of the cattleman Came to this region with Generals Miles and Custer and was Chief Scout at old Fort Supply. Badly crippled in the Battle of the Buffalo Wallow with Comanche, Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. He continued a strong and colorful figure in the development of this territory from a primitive frontier to its recreation as an important part of the great cattle industry.The cattlemen of that time were on many occasions grateful for his help and favors. Date of birth: 03/15/1839 Date of death: 07/18/1925 Area of notoriety: Military Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daylight to Dark Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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