Robert T. Clifford

Scouted a camp outnumbered 3 to 1, then ordered the charge!

Master-at-Arms Robert Teleford Clifford helped turn a small boat raid into a successful capture behind enemy lines. Born in Pennsylvania in 1835, he served aboard USS Shokokon and is also recorded under the alias Robert Teleford Kelley.

On 22 August 1863 at New Topsail Inlet off Wilmington, North Carolina, Clifford joined a plan to destroy an enemy schooner. The party carried a dinghy across the narrow land separating the sea from the sound, launched it, and approached from the rear. Clifford then crept into the Confederate camp, counted a force that outnumbered his party three to one, returned with the intelligence, and ordered a charge. The opposing force was routed, leaving the schooner and supplies behind.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

After scouting an enemy camp and finding his party outnumbered three to one, Clifford returned, ordered a charge, and helped rout the enemy and capture a schooner and supplies.

Clifford later reached the rate of master's mate. He died in Philadelphia on 24 July 1873 and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.