Matthew A. Batson
| Matthew Arlington Batson | |
|---|---|
Matthew A. Batson
|
|
| Born |
April 24, 1866 Anna Illinois |
| Died | January 13, 1917 (aged 50) |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1888–1902 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Batson's Macabebe Scouts |
| Battles/wars | Philippine–American War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
2nd Cavalry Regiment
4th Cavalry Regiment
Matthew Arlington Batson (24 April 1866 – 13 January 1917) was a United States Army Officer who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine–American War. 1st Lieutenant Batson was awarded the medal for swimming the San Juan River under enemy fire. He was awarded his medal alongside Captain Hugh J. McGrath who performed the same feat. Batson is most noted, however, for creating the Philippine Scouts.
Batson was born in Anna Illinois, a small agricultural town located on the Illinois Central Railroad in Union County in southern Illinois but grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Educated locally, he attended Southern Illinois University for one term. He had two stints of teaching school and spent a year studying law in hopes of passing the bar exam.
Batson enlisted in the 2nd United States Cavalry on 9 April 1888. His motives for doing so remain obscure. Over the next three years he served in troops M and G and attained the rank of corporal. Based on his service record and his marks on a competitive examination, the War Department offered him a commission as second lieutenant in the 9th Cavalry, one of two Regular Army cavalry regiments that consisted of black enlisted men led by white officers. He accepted on 2 August 1891. He spent the next seven years in the 9th Cavalry, primarily in garrison. He married and started to raise a family. During the academic year 1894–95 he attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Three years later, during the Spanish–American War, he accompanied the 9th Cavalry to Cuba and participated in the V Corps' campaign against Santiago. He had a credible record in combat at San Juan Hill, but the experience left him disillusioned. He felt that officers who had done less than he had received promotion and recognition while he had received none.
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