Samuel A. Cherry facts for kids

Samuel Austin Cherry (born April 14, 1850, died May 11, 1881) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He spent most of his time serving at army posts in Wyoming and Nebraska. In 1879, he showed great courage during the Battle of Milk Creek. He led a small group of 20 soldiers, helping their main army group safely retreat from a much larger force of Ute warriors. Cherry managed to bring all 20 of his men back to safety.

In 1881, while he was stationed at Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, Cherry was sadly killed by one of his own soldiers who was unwell. Two years later, in 1883, a new area in Nebraska was named Cherry County, Nebraska in his honor. This county included Fort Niobrara.

Early Life and Army Start

Cherry was born on April 14, 1850, in Lagrange, Indiana. He grew up there as a boy. In 1870, he was accepted into the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. During his time there, he was injured while saving a classmate from a falling cannon. This accident caused him to have a limp for the rest of his life. He finished his studies and graduated from the Academy in June 1875.

After graduating, Cherry became a second lieutenant in the 23rd Infantry. In September 1875, he was sent to serve at Fort D. A. Russell in Wyoming. In 1876, he moved to the 5th Cavalry. He continued to serve at different army posts across Wyoming.

Heroism at Milk Creek

On September 21, 1879, Lieutenant Cherry joined a group of about 175 soldiers. This group included one infantry company and three cavalry companies. They were led by Major Thomas T. Thornbergh. Their mission was to march from Fort Steele (near Rawlins, Wyoming) to the White River Indian Reservation in Colorado. They were responding to a request for help from Nathan C. Meeker. He was the White River Indian Agent and had been having problems with the Ute Tribe.

The Ambush and Retreat

On September 29, Cherry was leading a small team scouting ahead of the main army group. They had just crossed the Milk River, which was the Ute reservation border. Suddenly, Cherry spotted 300 to 400 Ute warriors waiting to attack. He waved his hat as a warning, and then the Ute warriors began firing. The army quickly realized they were greatly outnumbered.

Major Thornburgh was killed, and Captain J. Scott Payne took command, even though he was wounded. Cherry and his group of 20 men were ordered to protect the rear of the army. This allowed the rest of the soldiers to pull back and set up a strong defensive position.

A Brave Rear Guard Action

With great courage and skill, Cherry led his 20 men in a careful retreat. They covered more than 1,000 yards while keeping the large Ute force from advancing. Amazingly, he brought all 20 of his men back to the main army group. Many soldiers were wounded during this intense fighting, but no one in Cherry's group was killed.

The army group, outnumbered and dug into their defensive positions, was surrounded by the Ute force for six days. Messages were sent for help. On October 2, more soldiers arrived. Finally, on October 5, Colonel Wesley Merit arrived with about 450 men from the 5th Cavalry, ending the siege.

After the Battle

This battle became known as the Battle of Milk Creek. It was part of the White River War. On the same day the battle started, Ute Indians also attacked the agency and killed Agent Meeker. This event is known as the Meeker Massacre.

After the battle, 14 non-commissioned officers wrote a letter praising Cherry. They admired his brave and professional actions. They noted his "cool, disciplined leadership" during the retreat. He brought his entire unit back to safety across open ground under heavy fire. Seventeen of his 20 men were wounded, but all survived. They also praised his leadership during the siege. The New York Times also published an article on November 9, 1879. In it, Captain J. Scott Payne commended Cherry for his quick thinking and good judgment at the Battle of Milk Creek. Cherry's actions helped prevent the army from being ambushed and completely defeated.

Life at Fort Niobrara

In December 1879, Cherry took some time off until May 1880. After that, he worked in Washington, D.C., for about a month. In June 1880, he was sent to serve at Fort Niobrara. This fort was located near what is now Valentine, Nebraska. The new fort was about 7 miles south of the Sioux reservation. It was also about 40 miles from the Rosebud Agency. Along with Fort Robinson to the west, it created a strong military presence near the Brulé and Oglala Sioux tribes.

On May 10, 1881, Cherry was put in charge of a patrol. Their mission was to find people suspected of robbery and stealing government horses. On May 11, near White Lake in South Dakota, about 8 miles north of the fort, Cherry was shot and killed. He was shot by one of his own soldiers who was unwell.

Cherry was buried at Fort Niobrara. In March 1882, his father and his fiancée, Virginia White, moved his body to Greenwood Cemetery in Lagrange, Indiana.

Cherry County, Nebraska, which included Fort Niobrara, was officially created by the Nebraska legislature on February 23, 1883. The citizens of the new county asked for it to be named after Cherry to honor him.