Sgt. Moses Williams, Buffalo Soldier, spotted an Indian ambush, stayed by his commanding officer when the rest of the cavalry troop fled, rallied the fleeing troops, and laid down covering fire to allow the rescue of wounded troops. He is one of only five from the Ordnance Corps to receive the Medal of Honor. The following history is taken from the Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame.
Moses Williams, Buffalo Soldier
Moses Williams, born on October 10, 1845, in Carrollton, Louisiana, was probably the son of slaves. In 1866, he enlisted in the 9th Cavalry, one of two newly authorized African-American cavalry regiments. The 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments gained fame as the “Buffalo Soldiers” while serving on the Western frontier.
Williams, illiterate like so many freedmen, signed his enlistment papers with an “X,” but his signature proudly appears on his first reenlistment papers in 1871. While serving as a Buffalo Soldier, despite the arduous duties and long days in the field, Williams learned the reading, writing, and mathematics skills needed to later become an Ordnance Sergeant.
The 9th Cavalry was raised in Louisiana and sent to west Texas in the summer of 1867. Sergeants were appointed from the ranks. Within a year, Williams was promoted to First Sergeant of Company F.
In 1871, following his first reenlistment, he was transferred to Company K to serve as First Sergeant. The 9th Cavalry served in west Texas until 1875, scattered out in a string of small posts protecting the mail and stage route between San Antonio and El Paso, Texas. In 1875, the 9th Cavalry transferred to New Mexico, where Williams reenlisted again in 1876 and was reassigned as First Sergeant of Company I.
New Mexico Apache Wars
While in New Mexico, the 9th Cavalry was embroiled in the Apache Wars of 1879-1881. Chief Victorio and his Warm Springs Apaches took to the hills, raiding farms and ranches, rather than submit to life on the reservation. It took a year to run Victorio to ground, but after his death, about 40 of his band escaped and continued raiding, led by an old warrior named Nana.
A detachment of 22 troopers, including Williams, caught up with Nana on August 16, 1881. The troopers and their Mexican Army allies chased the Apaches for several hours across rolling hills. When the Apaches reached the foothills of the Cuchillo Negro Mountains, they set up an ambush.
As Sgt. Moses Williams and his CO were entering the foothills, Williams pointed out an Apache peering over a boulder. The Lieutenant shot and killed the enemy, and dismounted as the battle broke out. The Lieutenant’s horse bolted, and the rest of the troopers retreated when they saw the empty horse running to the rear.
Sgt. Williams stood by the CO and held off the Indian attackers until they retreated, and then went back to rally the fleeing troopers. During the fight, Williams repeatedly led flanking attacks. When the outnumbered cavalry were forced to withdraw, Williams and his lieutenant stood up to draw the enemy’s fire enabling the unit to rescue three cut-off troopers. In 1896, he was awarded a Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry that day.
First African-American Ordnance Sergeant
Williams continued to serve in the 9th Cavalry until 1886, when his application for Ordnance Sergeant was approved. Ordnance Sergeants had to have at least eight years of service and a minimum of four years as a noncommissioned officer; they were also required to pass a physical examination as well as an examination by a board of officers. Williams was the first African-American Ordnance Sergeant.
Williams reported to Fort Buford, North Dakota, where he served as Ordnance Sergeant until the post closed in 1895. When Fort Buford closed, he reported for duty to Fort Stevens, Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River. Fort Stevens was not garrisoned at the time.
During this period, the Corps of Engineers was in the process of building the West Battery to mount four of the latest ten-inch seacoast defense guns. As the Fort’s caretaker, Williams was responsible for 22 large cannon, a magazine with 1,200 shots and shells, and the new guns, themselves.
Ordnance Sergeant Moses Williams retired in 1898 after 32 years of service. Possibly retiring because of ill health, he died on August 23, 1899, at age 52 and was buried in the Vancouver Barracks Cemetery. The old Buffalo Soldier and Ordnance Sergeant serves as a shining example of service to country, bravery, endurance, self-improvement, and leadership.
Citation
Rallied a detachment, skillfully conducted a running flight of 3 or 4 hours, and by his coolness, bravery, and unflinching devotion to duty in standing by his commanding officer in an exposed position under a heavy fire from a large party of Indians saved the lives of at least 3 of his comrades.
