Indian Wars Medal of Honor Recipient. The son of a South Carolina Militia general who served the Confederacy during the Civil War, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1876. he would go on to serve during the Indian Wars as a 1st Lieutenant in the 7th United States Cavalry, being posted to that unit to replace officers who were killed at June 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota on December 29, 1890, being severely wounded in the action. His citation simply states: "Distinguished gallantry". His Medal was issued September 26, 1893. He served as United States Army Inspector General in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, and in the Philippines during the local Insurrection. On October 1, 1906 he was promoted to Brigadier General, and was made Inspector General of the Army. He authored several books, most notable being "Historical Sketches of the Seventh Cavalry Regiment: A Catechism". His name is forever linked to the infamous 1906 "Brownsville Incident" where racists white Texans attempted to frame the towns all-Black Army garrison for attacking the white civilians at night. The actual "attack" in August 1906 was in reality perpetuated by several white members of the populace who were dressed as soldiers, and it resulted in several civilians being killed and wounded. General Garlington was one of two officers sent to investigate the incident. Being a native of South Carolina, he had no love for the African-American soldiers, and ignored any testimony that would contradict the white citizens version and "evidence". In large part due to his biased investigation, all 167 soldiers of the garrison were wrongly discharged without honor. It wouldn't be until 1972 before the soldiers discharges would be changed to "honorable".
Indian Wars Medal of Honor Recipient. The son of a South Carolina Militia general who served the Confederacy during the Civil War, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1876. he would go on to serve during the Indian Wars as a 1st Lieutenant in the 7th United States Cavalry, being posted to that unit to replace officers who were killed at June 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota on December 29, 1890, being severely wounded in the action. His citation simply states: "Distinguished gallantry". His Medal was issued September 26, 1893. He served as United States Army Inspector General in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, and in the Philippines during the local Insurrection. On October 1, 1906 he was promoted to Brigadier General, and was made Inspector General of the Army. He authored several books, most notable being "Historical Sketches of the Seventh Cavalry Regiment: A Catechism". His name is forever linked to the infamous 1906 "Brownsville Incident" where racists white Texans attempted to frame the towns all-Black Army garrison for attacking the white civilians at night. The actual "attack" in August 1906 was in reality perpetuated by several white members of the populace who were dressed as soldiers, and it resulted in several civilians being killed and wounded. General Garlington was one of two officers sent to investigate the incident. Being a native of South Carolina, he had no love for the African-American soldiers, and ignored any testimony that would contradict the white citizens version and "evidence". In large part due to his biased investigation, all 167 soldiers of the garrison were wrongly discharged without honor. It wouldn't be until 1972 before the soldiers discharges would be changed to "honorable".
Bio by: RPD2
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