Lt Henely graduated from West Point on June 14, 1872. After graduation he was assigned as a second lieutenant with the 6th US Cavalry at Ft Hays Kansas. On April 23, 1875, Henley, in command of Company H, participated in an attack on a Cheyenne camp at the middle fork of Sappa Creek in Kansas. Following the attack, Henley & his men were hailed as heroes and eight soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor. In later years rumors surfaced that it was a massacre & not a battle. On November 15, 1876, while stationed at Ft Bowie Arizona Territory, he was promoted to 1st Lt. On July 11, 1878, he was accompanying Lt John Rucker with a small detail in White River Canyon, AT, when a heavy storm struck. The storm flooded a stream that they needed to cross. While attempting to cross the flooded stream, Henely & Rucker's horses collided. And both of them fell into the stream. The strong current pulled Henely & Rucker under & they drowned. Henely & Rucker were first buried at the post cemetery at Ft Bowie. After Bowie was closed, all post burials were removed in 1895. Henley was re-buried in San Francisco. Rucker was re-buried at Arlington.
Lt Henely graduated from West Point on June 14, 1872. After graduation he was assigned as a second lieutenant with the 6th US Cavalry at Ft Hays Kansas. On April 23, 1875, Henley, in command of Company H, participated in an attack on a Cheyenne camp at the middle fork of Sappa Creek in Kansas. Following the attack, Henley & his men were hailed as heroes and eight soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor. In later years rumors surfaced that it was a massacre & not a battle. On November 15, 1876, while stationed at Ft Bowie Arizona Territory, he was promoted to 1st Lt. On July 11, 1878, he was accompanying Lt John Rucker with a small detail in White River Canyon, AT, when a heavy storm struck. The storm flooded a stream that they needed to cross. While attempting to cross the flooded stream, Henely & Rucker's horses collided. And both of them fell into the stream. The strong current pulled Henely & Rucker under & they drowned. Henely & Rucker were first buried at the post cemetery at Ft Bowie. After Bowie was closed, all post burials were removed in 1895. Henley was re-buried in San Francisco. Rucker was re-buried at Arlington.
Gravesite Details
Henely's name is misspelled on his marker.
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