Background
Cutts was born in Washington District of Columbia He was the grandson of congressman Richard Cutts, who was married to a sister of First Lady Dolley Madison.
Cutts was born in Washington District of Columbia He was the grandson of congressman Richard Cutts, who was married to a sister of First Lady Dolley Madison.
He was honored with the award on 2 May 1891. in 1838. At the start of the American Civil War, Cutts enlisted with the 1st Rhode Island Infantry. Six weeks later, in May 1861, he was appointed as a Captain to the newly created 11th Infantry Regiment.
Cutts displayed gallantry at the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania and the Battle of St. Petersburg between 5 May and 18 June 1864.
What may add the confusion is that when Cutts" medal was awarded in 1891 it was of the 1862 design. In 1894 the Army changed the ribbon on the Medal of Honor from a facsimile of the United States flag with a blue field on top of 13 vertical red and white stripes to a ribbon of vertical red, white and blue stripes.
In 1904 the design of the medal was totally changed to the modern design. After the war, Cutts was transferred to the 20th Infantry Regiment, but was dismissed from the army on 19 June 1868 for "conduct unbecoming an officer".
He died on 24 February 1903 and his remains are interred at the Arlington National Cemetery.