General George W. Baird - Milford, CT - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

George W. Baird Baird was born on December 13, 1839, in Milford, Connecticut. He left Yale University to enlist in the Civil War and serve as an officer with a Connecticut artillery battery. In 1864, he was appointed colonel of volunteers of the 32nd Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops. After the war he remained in the Federal Army as a Lieutenant.

From 1871 to 1878, he was adjutant to Colonel Nelson A. Miles and participated in the Nez Perce War. He was promoted to major in 1879, and became Deputy Paymaster General of the army in 1899. In 1903, shortly before his retirement, he achieved the rank of brigadier general. He died on November 28, 1903.

Lt. George W. Baird was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism for action in the Indian Campaigns on September 30, 1877 at Bear Paw Mountain, MT. At that time the U.S. Cavalry was in pursuit of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indian tribe who were crossing Montana on their way to Canada. The Calvary engaged the Nez Perce in many battles but after the battle of the Little Big Hole in early August of 1877, the Cavalry lost track of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. After marching for several days, the Nez Perce were located near Bear Paw Mountain. On September 30, a final battle ensued that lead to the surrender of the Nez Perce nation.

First Lieutenant George Baird was cited for "most distinguished gallantry in action" in that engagement. While carrying orders across the battlefield he was shot twice, once through the arm and another shot severed his ear. Despite his wounds, he persisted in the performance of his mission. He was one of nine cavalrymen awarded the Medal of Honor for the Bear Paw Mountain battle.

The grave site of General George W. Baird is marked by a boulder containing two bronze plaques and a granite tablet set at ground level.

The plaques are inscribed:

GEORGE W. BAIRD
BRIGADIER GENERAL
UNITED STATES ARMY
1839 - 1900

and

JULIA CATHERINE ROGERS
HIS BELOVED WIFE
1842 - 1926

The granite tablet has a Latin cross and the image of the Medal of Honor and the following inscription:

GEORGE W BAIRD
MEDAL OF HONOR
BRIG GEN US ARMY
INDIAN WARS
DEC 13 1839 NOV 28 1903

Citation from the Center of Military History website: LINK

BAIRD, GEORGE W.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant and Adjutant, 5th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Bear Paw Mountain, Mont., 30 September 1877. Entered service at: Milford, Conn. Birth: Connecticut. Date of issue: 27 November 1894. Citation: Most distinguished gallantry in action with the Nez Perce Indians

Armed Service: Army

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