John Alexander Kress was a native of Pennsylvania (1839-1933). He was living in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) when he was appointed to the United States Military Academy in 1858. He resigned from West Point in October, 1861, a couple of months before his graduation. Among other duties, he was on the staff of Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the 94th New York Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and was recommended for (but not awarded) the Medal of Honor for his action there (besides his heroic actions, he was the only surviving officer in the regiment). In 1925, Kress was awarded a Civil War Campaign Medal, with a Silver Star citation for gallantry for Fredericksburg, and a Silvar Star citation for Gettysburg, where he was again on the staff of Brigadier General Wadsworth. After the Civil War, as a member of the ordnance department, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for an action on July 8, 1878. The citation for extraordinary heroism in action near Umatilla, Oregon reads: “Captain Kress volunteered, though not charged with combat duties, to organized and lead an expedition against bands of hostile Piute-Bannock Indians and to prevent their crossing the Columbia river. Captain Kress seized a river boat and equipped it as a gunboat and by his gallant and fearless leadership in patrolling the Columbia River was successful in five attacks upon the Indians, both on land and from the river; succeeded in capturing and killing their horses, destroyed their boats, arms, and ammunition, and camp equipage, thus frustrating their plan of spreading the war among the Indians to the North.” He commanded Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri “for a number of years.” Although he was not awarded the Medal of Honor, this photograph appears to show him wearing the Medal of Honor, or a post-war medal that looks very much like the Medal of Honor. This view, courtesy of Jefferson Barracks, was taken in July, 1903.
Arlington National Cemetery, overlooking Washington, D.C., has many connections to Gettysburg and to the Gettysburg Campaign. There are many more connections than to only Robert E. Lee’s residence, and John F. Kennedy’s grave. Almost every row in the older sections have someone buried there who had a link to Gettysburg.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Kohr shows us the individuals connected to Gettysburg who are buried at Arlington.
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In today’s Arlington post, Rich Kohr shows the graves of Eugene Dimmick, John Kress, and Henry Gifford.
This map shows us the locations taken of videos for our Gettysburg at Arlington series. Videos #1-#59 were shown in our previous Arlington posts. Video #57 was taken at the grave of Elwell Stephen Otis. Video #58 was taken at the grave of Alexander Moore. Video #59 was taken at the grave of Charles Candy. Video #60 was taken at the grave of Eugene Dimmick. Video #61 was taken at the grave of John Kress. Video #62 was taken at the grave of Henry Gifford. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:30 PM on Friday, October 22, 2010.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Kohr is standing near the grave of Eugene Dimmick, who was a Captain in the 5th New York Cavalry Regiment at Gettysburg. He was in charge of guarding President Lincoln’s remains in Albany, New York. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, August 8, 2010.
In Video #60 (Videos #1 – #59 were shown in our previous Arlington posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Kohr presents some biographical information on Eugene Dimmick of the 5th New York Cavalry. This view was taken facing east to south at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, August 8, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Kohr is standing by the grave of John Alexander Kress, who served on the staff of Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth at the Battle of Gettysburg. This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, August 8, 2010.
In Video #61 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Kohr presents some biographical information on Brigadier General John Alexander Kress. This view was taken facing east to northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, August 8, 2010.
Rich Kohr is standing by the grave of Captain Henry Gifford who commanded two companies of the 33rd New York Infantry Regiment during the Gettysburg Campaign. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, August 8, 2010.
In Video #62 Rich Kohr shows the grave of Captain Henry Gifford who commanded two companies of the 33rd New York, a 6th Corps unit, at Gettysburg. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, August 8, 2010.
To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides, click here.