Marcus Robbins

Marcus M. Robbins

Circular portrait of a white man with a mustache wearing a military jacket with two medals pinned to the chest.

Marcus M. Robbins, Medal of Honor recipient
Born (1851-07-25)July 25, 1851
Elba, Wisconsin
Died June 21, 1924(1924-06-21) (aged 72)
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Place of burial Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Private
Unit 6th United States Cavalry
Battles/wars American Indian Wars
Awards Medal of Honor

Marcus M. Robbins (July 25, 1851 – June 21, 1924) served in the United States Army during the American Indian Wars. He received the Medal of Honor.

Robbins was a resident of Elba, Wisconsin. He was buried in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.[1]

Army service

Robbins served as a private in the Sixth U.S. Cavalry, fighting in the American Indian Wars

On April 23, 1875, Robbins and five other soldiers snuck up behind a band of Cheyenne warriors and attacked them from the rear at Sappa Creek in Kansas. He received a Medal of Honor for these actions on November 16, 1876.[2] Several other members of his company also received medals for their role in the battle. Richard Longstreth Tea, Frederick Platten, James Lowthers, Simpson Hornaday, and Peter W. Gardiner made up the rest of the expedition around the Cheyenne lines, and all received the Medal of Honor. Michael Dawson and James F. Ayers also were a part of the battle, and also were awarded the Medal of Honor.[3] The engagement was part of the Red River War.

Twentieth-century commentators have questioned the role of the Sixth Cavalry at Sappa Creek, with some calling it a "massacre."[4]

Medal of Honor

His award citation reads:

With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance.[5]

The medal itself was out of possession of Robbins' family for many years, until it was returned to them in 2009.[6]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. ↑
  2. ↑ J. Brett Cruse, et al. Battles of the Red River War: archeological perspectives on the Indian at 162.
  3. ↑ Walter Frederick Beyer, et al. Deeds of Valor. Detroit: Perrien-Keydel, 1906. p. 196
  4. ↑ John H. Monnett, Massacre at Cheyenne Hole: Lieutenant Austin Henely and the Sappa Creek, 1999. ("[I]ntimations surfaced that the Sappa Creek fight was a massacre of the Cheyennes under Little Bull who attempted to surrender.")
  5. ↑ United States Army Center of Military History http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/indianwars.html
  6. ↑ Connor Berry. "A Majestic Medal" Berkshire Eagle December 5, 2009

External links

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