Ruskin in Nuckolls County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Skirmish at Spring Creek
Photographed By James King, June 19, 2015
1. The Skirmish at Spring Creek Marker
Inscription.
The Skirmish at Spring Creek. . From April through October 1870 Company C of the second U.S. Cavalry garrisoned a temporary military post, Camp Bingham, located northeast of here on the Little Blue River, to protect nearby settlements from Indians.
On May 15 Sergeant Patrick J. Leonard and Privates Heath Canfield, Michael Himmelsbach, Thomas Hubbard, and George W. Thompson were sent to search for lost horses on Spring Creek. Near this spot on May 17 the five soldiers were attacked by about fifty Indians. After a two-hour skirmish in which Hubbard was wounded and the cavalrymen's horses killed, the Indians withdrew.
When a report of the skirmish reached Secretary of War William W. Belknap, he ordered Medals of Honor presented to Leonard, Canfield, Himmelsbach, Hubbard, and Thompson. More Medals of Honor were won in this brief engagement than in any other incident in Nebraska's military history.
From April through October 1870 Company C of the second U.S. Cavalry garrisoned a temporary military post, Camp Bingham, located northeast of here on the Little Blue River, to protect nearby settlements from Indians.
On May 15 Sergeant Patrick J. Leonard and Privates Heath Canfield, Michael Himmelsbach, Thomas Hubbard, and George W. Thompson were sent to search for lost horses on Spring Creek. Near this spot on May 17 the five soldiers were attacked by about fifty Indians. After a two-hour skirmish in which Hubbard was wounded and the cavalrymen's horses killed, the Indians withdrew.
When a report of the skirmish reached Secretary of War William W. Belknap, he ordered Medals of Honor presented to Leonard, Canfield, Himmelsbach, Hubbard, and Thompson. More Medals of Honor were won in this brief engagement than in any other incident in Nebraska's military history.
Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 330.)
Location. 40° 8.822′ N, 97° 54.767′ W. Marker is in Ruskin
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, Nebraska, in Nuckolls County. Memorial is on U.S. 136. The marker is about 2 miles west of Ruskin, NE. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ruskin NE 68974, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 1864 Indian Raids (approx. 15.1 miles away).
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 20, 2004
2. The Skirmish at Spring Creek Marker
Note: The fifth Medal of Honor Recipient, George W. Thompson's grave site is unknown. The other four Recipients are shown below.
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 2, 2004
3. The Skirmish at Spring Creek Marker
Patrick J. Leonard is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Almelo, KS
Photographed By Don Morfe, November 28, 2000
4. The Skirmish at Spring Creek Marker
Heath Canfield is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, St. Augustine FL.
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 27, 2006
5. The Skirmish at Spring Creek Marker
Michael Himmelsback is buried in Ft. Missoula Post Cemetery, Missoula MT.
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 14, 2005
6. The Skirmish at Spring Creek Marker
Thomas H. Hubbard is buried in Lawnview Cemetery, Rockledge PA
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,294 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on July 18, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos:1. submitted on July 18, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 22, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
