DOB/DOD: November 27, 1854 (Rocky Hill, CT) – November 17, 1921 (Los Angeles, CA); 67 years old
MARITAL STATUS: His death certificate said he was “widowed.” No evidence of a marriage could be found.
ENLISTMENT: Enlisted in St. Louis, Missouri
* Last name spelled Shepherd, Sheppard, and Shepard in various places. His death certificate listed his father as John Shepard of Canada. His mother’s information was blank.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Indian Campaigns
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Army
UNIT: Company A, 5th U.S. Infantry
DATE OF ISSUE AND PRESENTATION: April 27, 1877
AGE ON THE DATES OF THE EVENT: 27
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Charles Sheppard, United States Army, for gallantry in engagements at Cedar Creek, Montana, and other campaigns during the period 21 October 1876 to 8 January 1877, while serving with Company A, 5th U.S. Infantry.
From the Los Angeles Herald November 21, 1921
HOLD FUNERAL FOR INDIAN FIGHTER
Funeral services for Charles Shepherd, 63, of 502 Molino Street, were held at the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Shepherd, a noted Indian fighter who possessed a congressional medal for valor in the Battles of Cedar Creek and Wolf Mountain, died at the county hospital after a long illness. Shepherd was accredited with having slain the Indian chieftain Crazy Horse at the Battle of Wolf Mountain on January 8, 1877. In memoirs left with a friend, Burt Anderson of 409 Molino Street, the plainsman told of viewing the massacre of General Custer’s detachment of troopers.
Buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, 3640 Whittier Boulevard, Los Angeles, California; Lot 13, Avenue 26, Grave 8. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
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