James Pond

James Burton Pond (June 11, 1838 – June 21, 1903) was an abolitionist and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. For his actions during the Battle of Baxter Springs, he received the Medal of Honor. Returning to civilian life, he became a successful lecture manager whose clients included Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, and Henry Morton Stanley.

Early life Pond was born on June 11, 1838, in Cuba, New York, though his official residence was listed as Janesville, Wisconsin. The family moved, first to Illinois in 1844, then to Wisconsin in 1847.

Pond became a strong abolitionist. He was a member of the Underground Railroad,

He studied printing and published The Journal in Markesan, Wisconsin, between 1860 and 1861. After the war, he was elected as a companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Medal of Honor citation For extraordinary heroism on 6 October 1863, while serving with Company C, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, in action at Baxter Springs, Kansas. While in command of two companies of Cavalry, First Lieutenant Pond was surprised and attacked by several times his own number of guerrillas, but gallantly rallied his men, and after a severe struggle drove the enemy outside the fortifications. First Lieutenant Pond then went outside the works and, alone and unaided, fired a howitzer three times, throwing the enemy into confusion and causing him to retire.

Post-war career After the war, he tried his hand at various business enterprises in the western United States.

In Salt Lake City, he was asked to manage a national lecture tour for Ann Eliza Young, the 52nd wife of Brigham Young, who had become disillusioned with her husband. He also promoted Winston Churchill's first American tour, though the two had a falling out and Churchill referred to Pond as "a vulgar Yankee impresario." Explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley earned $60,000 (~$ in ) for an 1890–91 U.S. tour set up by Pond. Ellen Terry,

Personal life Pond's first wife, the former Ann Frances Lynch, died in 1871. He married Martha Glass of Jersey City in 1880.

Three of his brothers, George, Homer, and Philip, also fought for the Union in the Civil War.

Pond died due primarily to an ulcer on his right foot that turned gangrenous. All seemed well after a successful amputation below the knee, but Pond took a turn for the worse and died of heart failure on June 21, 1903.

In film He was played in the 1944 movie The Adventures of Mark Twain by Donald Crisp.