James M. Cutts

James M. Cutts
The Evening Star (Washington, DC), February 25, 1903
Born	(1837-10-20)October 20, 1837 Washington, D.C.
Died	February 24, 1903(1903-02-24) (aged 65) Washington, D.C.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Infantry
Years of service	1861 - 1868
Rank	Captain Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Captain James Madison Cutts Jr. (October 20, 1837 - February 24, 1903) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cutts received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Petersburg in Virginia in May and June 1864. He was honored with the award on 2 May 1891.

Early life

Cutts was born in Washington D.C. on october 20, 1837, the son of James Madison Cutts, an official of the U.S. Treasury Department, and Ellen Elisabeth O'Neal, the sister of Rose O'Neal Greenhow. Cutts' sister Adele was the second wife of US Senator Stephen A. Douglas. Cutts was the grandson of congressman Richard Cutts, whose wife Anna was the sister of First Lady Dolley Madison. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School, graduated from Brown University in 1856, and received his LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1861.

Civil War service

At the start of the American Civil War, Cutts enlisted with the 1st Rhode Island Infantry. Six weeks later, in May 1861, he was appointed as a Captain in the newly created 11th Infantry Regiment. While serving on the staff of Ambrose Burnside in 1863, Cutts was charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman after he allegedly committed several offenses, including criticizing Burnside in letters to the president, constantly arguing with his fellow officers, and attempting to view a married woman dressing in the hotel room next to his by peering over the transom. His appeal reached President Lincoln, who approved the convictions, but reduced the punishment to a written reprimand. Lincoln then sent Cutts a letter indicating that he was sure the "peeping" offense would not be repeated, and urging Cutts to attain his full potential by demonstrating the self-control necessary to avoid pointless quarrels with his peers and superiors. Cutts is reported to have been so chastened by the events that he resolved to reclaim his reputation through battlefield heroism.

Cutts displayed gallantry at the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania and the Battle of Petersburg between 5 May and 18 June 1864. He received the Medal of Honor for these actions on May 2, 1891. Claims that Cutts received a "triple" Medal of Honor are not accurate; he received a single award that cited his combined heroism in three separate battles.

After the war, Cutts was transferred to the 20th Infantry Regiment, but was dismissed from the army on 19 June 1868 for "conduct unbecoming an officer".

Later life

After leaving the Army, Cutts taught rhetoric and oratory at Seton Hall University. In 1882, he moved to Washington to take a position in the War Department, first serving in the surgeon general's office, and later in the office of the Army's adjutant general.

Death and burial

He died on 24 February 1903 and his remains are interred at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Family

In 1871, Cutts married Mary E. Wheeler of Baltimore. They were the parents of six children, including Leo, Mary, Arthur, Horace, James and Harold.

Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in actions.

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F