Charles Bare Gatewood, Sr., first lieutenant, Sixth U.S. Cavalry, a distinguished son of Woodstock, Virginia, remains largely unknown and unheralded in the history of the American West. He served with distinction and heroism during Victorio’s War, the Apache Wars, and Geronimo’s War. An unassuming and quiet man, Gatewood earned Geronimo’s trust and was instrumental in negotiating with Geronimo to have him surrender to the Army, September 3, 1886. For Gatewood’s efforts in Geronimo’s War, he was recommended for the Medal of Honor, but the secretary of war at that time denied Gatewood the medal. 
Gatewood also served to quell the Johnson County War in Wyoming. In May 1892 a bomb blast planted by outlaws at Fort McKinney (near today’s Buffalo, Wyoming) wounded Gatewood. The Army mustered out Gatewood shortly thereafter. 
Gatewood, spindly, wounded, and withered from military service in the American West, died at Fort Monroe, Virginia, May 20, 1896. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery; his son Colonel Charles B. Gatewood, Jr, is buried nearby.  
Biographical summary written by Lt. Col., U.S. Army (Ret.) Ed Saunders 

Charles Bare Gatewood, Sr. 
USMA Class of 1877

CHARLES BARE GATEWOOD

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