James M. Cutts

James M. Cutts
Born	1838 Washington, D.C.
Died	February 24, 1903 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. (1838 to 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.

Cutts was born in Washington D.C. in 1838. He was the grandson of congressman Richard Cutts, who was married to a sister of First Lady Dolley Madison.

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 to the newly created 11th Infantry Regiment. 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.

Reports that Cutts received a "triple" Medal of Honor are entirely false. While he did receive the Medal of Honor for actions in three different battles he only received one medal for his cumulative achievements. What may add the confusion is that when Cutts' medal was awarded in 1891 it was of the 1862 design. In 1894 the Army changed the ribbon on the Medal of Honor from a facsimile of the US flag with a blue field on top of 13 vertical red and white stripes to a ribbon of vertical red, white and blue stripes. In 1904 the design of the medal was totally changed to the modern design.

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

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