Famous Folks of Harrison County

Charles Albert Bessey
Birth: 1848
Death: Jun. 4, 1909

Corporal Charles Albert Bessey, of the Third U.S. Cavalry, earned the Medal of Honor on January 13, 1877, for his action during the Indian Wars. During a routine escort at Elkhorn Creek, Wyoming Territory, Bessey learned of a recent attack on nearby herders by a group of Indians. With four others and himself, the group was ambushed by a band of 14 hostile Cheyenne. Although he and two of his men became wounded, the Indians were forced to retreat. It wasn't until 23 years later that Bessey would receive the Medal of Honor for his valiant service to his men. The wound that Corporal Bessey received would eventually lead to his death in 1909 of kidney failure. (Bio by G. Kasovich)