Richard Longstreet Tea

Richard Longstreth Tea (February 20, 1840-September 14, 1911) was an American Civil War hero who received the Medal of Honor for heroism on April 23, 1875 during the Indian Wars. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in February 1840. He enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 1, 1858 just prior to his 18th birthday, with his father approving the enlistment and signing with an "x".

He married Margaret Graham on July 16, 1867 in Junction City, Kansas. They had one child, Annie M., born in 1872. He married Alice Grugan in Prescott, Arizona on February 13, 1887.

So conspicuous was his record as a soldier during that war that he was accorded the distinction by the United States Congress of being permitted to enter either the Senate Chambers or the floor of the House and enjoy any privilege of either. He and his wife were permitted to live on post after he retired in 1888, an honor accorded few servicemembers.

Tea died September 14, 1911, in Prescott, Arizona and was originally buried in the Fort Whipple Cemetery, and was disinterred and re-buried in Mountain View Cemetery. His grave can be found in Section P, Lot 13, Grave D, next to the grave of Alice Tea.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Sappa Creek, Kans., 23 April 1875. Entered servlce at:--- Birth: Philadelphia, Pa. Date of issue: 16 November 1876.

Citation:

"With 5 other men he waded in mud and water up the creek to a position directly behind an entrenched Cheyenne position, who were using natural bank pits to good advantage against the main column. This surprise attack from the enemy rear broke their resistance."