Edmund Rice

Edmund Rice (December 2, 1842 – July 20, 1906) was a soldier in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient who achieved the rank of Brigadier General.

Early life Rice was born 2 December 1842 in Brighton, Massachusetts to Moses Maynard Rice and Eliza (Damon) Rice. In 1856 he entered Norwich University in Vermont and remained there until 1858; in 1874, he was awarded his Bachelor of Science degree as of 1860, and in 1898 he received the degree of Master of Arts. After three years he became an apprentice to Captain Lloyd on the clipper ship, Snow Squall, that left Long Wharf in Boston in September 1858 headed for Shanghai, China. After ten months at sea Edmund arrived back in New York City in June 1859. He then began working as a surveyor for his father's development interests.

Civil War On 22 Aug 1861, Rice joined the 14th Massachusetts Infantry and was commissioned a captain. He was soon transferred to the 19th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment to command Company F. With that unit he was engaged in the Civil War battles of: Ball's Bluff, Siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. In June 1868 Rice was assigned to the Springfield Armory to supervise the manufacture of the 'Rice Trowel Bayonet' for trial by the U.S. Army. While stationed there, his wife Annie died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty only 11 months after their daughter was born. Rice's daughter, Corrine, was raised by his mother and siblings. In that capacity following recommendations of the First Philippine Commission, he established public schools, took the census, and administered the oath of allegiance to over 60,000 Filipinos.

He returned to the United States in July 1901 after suffering from fever and heart disease brought on by the harsh tropical climate. The Philippine–American War was Rice's last war. He served until his retirement in command of the 19th U.S. Infantry at the Presidio of San Francisco.

Military inventions

Rice was an inventor of military equipment that were in use by military organizations around the world for decades. Some of his inventions include: Improved Trowel Bayonet, 22 June 1869 Improved Bayonet Scabbard, 21 May 1872 Improved Bayonet, 26 March 1875 Individual Shelter Tent, 29 December 1896

Retirement

Rice retired on August 14, 1903, with the rank of brigadier general. He became a member of the Medal of Honor Legion, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Grand Army of the Republic, Society of Prisoners of War, Sons of the Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of the Army of the Potomac, and the General Society of the War of 1812. General Rice served as Grand Marshal of Ceremonies at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904, and he spent the summer of 1905 with his daughter Corinne and her husband. at Wakefield, Massachusetts, on July 20, 1906, lay in state in the Hall of Flags of the State House in Boston, and was buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth H. Rice (1849–1919) is buried with him. His grave is marked by a large rock with a 3.5 foot bronze sculpture of the Medal of Honor draped over the boulder with the inscription, "The Congress to lieut.-Col. Edmund Rice, 19th Mass. Volunteers, for conspicuous bravery on the 3rd day of the battle of Gettysburg." Brigadier General Edmund Rice, son of Moses Maynard Rice (May 12, 1811 – February 14, 1861), son of Edmund Rice (1785–1860), son of Edmund Rice (1755–1841), son of Edmund Rice (1725–1796), son of Jason Rice (1692–1730), son of Edmund Rice (1653–1719), son of Edward Rice (1622–1712), son of Edmund Rice (1594–1663)

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Major, 19th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. Entered service at: Boston, Mass. Birth: Brighton, Mass. Date of issue: October 6, 1891.

Citation: Conspicuous bravery on the third day of the battle on the countercharge against Pickett's division where he fell severely wounded within the enemy's lines.

Other military awards In addition to the Medal of Honor, General Rice was entitled to the following military awards: