Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William Othello Wilson
1867 - 1928
— Military Figure —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017
1. William Othello Wilson Marker
Inscription.
William Othello Wilson. Born and raised in Hagerstown, Wilson enlisted in the 9th U.S. Cavalry (“Buffalo Soldiers”) in 1889. on December 30,1890 (the day after the battle of Wounded Knee), Corporal Wilson was in a party escorting a supply train when they learned of the battle several miles away. Wilson was part of a small detail that was left to escort the slow moving wagons. The wagons were later attacked by a party of Sioux warriors. When scouts refused to carry dispatches seeking help from other units, Wilson stated “lieutenant, I will carry that dispatch.” Riding hard and pursued most of the way, Wilson reached reinforcements and help was sent to the endangered supply train. For this act, Wilson received the last medal of honor earned on American soil.
Born and raised in Hagerstown, Wilson enlisted in the 9th U.S. Cavalry (“Buffalo Soldiers”) in 1889. on December 30,1890 (the day after the battle of Wounded Knee), Corporal Wilson was in a party escorting a supply train when they learned of the battle several miles away. Wilson was part of a small detail that was left to escort the slow moving wagons. The wagons were later attacked by a party of Sioux warriors. When scouts refused to carry dispatches seeking help from other
units, Wilson stated “lieutenant, I will carry that dispatch.” Riding hard and pursued most of the way, Wilson reached reinforcements and help was sent to the endangered supply train. For this act, Wilson received the last medal of honor earned on American soil.
Location. 39° 37.943′ N, 77° 43.4′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from West Memorial Boulevard. This marker is part of the Hagerstown Circle of Achievement in Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South Potomac Street, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This marker is third from the top on the second panel.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017
3. William Othello Wilson Marker
Close-up of image on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
