Edward McGarry
Encyclopedia
Edward McGarry officer in the Mexican American War, California politician and officer of California Volunteers in American Civil War
, leading cavalry at the Battle of Bear River
, later Colonel, of the 2nd California Cavalry
, and Commander of the District of California
, and received a brevet
promotion to Brigadier General
of Volunteers. After the Civil War he rejoined the U. S. Army as a Lt. Colonel.
Edward McGarry was a native of New York
, who served as a Second Lieutenant
in the Mexican American War with the U. S. 10th Infantry Regiment. He saw no action except as part of the garrison Army before the Peace took effect. McGarry left the Army and traveled to California
after the end of he war and became involved in California politics serving as an Assemblyman from Napa County's 20th District from 1853 to 1854. Subsequently from 1854 to 1855, he was a State Senator from Napa, Solano and Yolo Counties. When the American Civil War broke out, he assisted in raising the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
, serving first as a Major under Col. Columbus Sims
. After marchng to Fort Ruby
, in Nevada Territory
, Sims was relieved of his command by the Department of the Pacific
on August 19, 1862. He was replaced in command of the 2nd California Cavalry detachment by Major McGarry by Col. Patrick Edward Connor
. Under Connor's command the 2nd Cavalry served in Nevada and Utah during the rest of the Civil war, fighting various native tribes.
In the early 1860s, the Bannock
and Shoshone
Indians in southern Idaho were becoming increasingly aggressive toward passing wagon trains. Travelers reported instances of thievery and attacks. Major Edward McGarry was sent to investigate, and reportedly executed some Shoshone for their actions. McGarry's executions angered the Shoshone even more, prompting them to threaten to kill any white person they found above the Bear River
. American forces, led by Colonel Patrick Edward Connor
, were sent to confront the Shoshone, but the Battle of Bear River turned into a massacre that left 250 Shoshone dead.
On February 26, 1864, Edward McGarry was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
and took command of Camp Union
, from Lt. Colonel O. M. Brown, who went to Los Angeles. He was afterwards appointed Colonel
and was given command of the 2nd California Cavalry from November 29, 1864 to March 31, 1866. In this capacity Col. McGarry presided over the military commission that tried the Salvador Pirates and found them guilty in May 1865.
As popular officer and famed for his role in the Cache Valley
victory, McGarry was appointed one of the judges that declared the first of three famous California races between the thourouhgbreds Norfolk and Lodi a dead heat. In June 1865 he was ordered to succeed Brigadier General George Wright
, in command of the District of California
.
After the war ended McGarry rejoined the regular Army and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the U. S. 32nd Regiment of Infantry, one of its newly organized regiments. In 1867, he was commanding a garrison at Tubac, Arizona
when he showed up for a dress parade in the plaza in a sad state of intoxication. Consequently, McGarry was reassigned to San Francisco, California, but no disciplinary action was taken against him. However, he had been drinking very heavily and on the night of his death, he manifested symptoms of mania a potu, and the in the Occidental Hotel staff confined him to his room. About 11 o'clock he told the servant to clear out, locked the door and was found early the next morning, December 31, 1867, lying on the floor of his room in his own blood, his throat cut and an open pen knife by his side. No cause was found for his action, nothing was left in writng. It was supposed it was done in a temporary fit of insanity.
McGarry was 45 years of age when he died. His funeral was held at the Unitarian Church. General H. W. Halleck, commander of the Military Division of the Pacific
and a large number of other officers of the Regular Army, ex-Governor Low
and several Judges of the State Courts attended. A military escort and many friends accompanied his body to the Cemetery.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, leading cavalry at the Battle of Bear River
Bear River Massacre
The Bear River Massacre, or the Battle of Bear River and the Massacre at Boa Ogoi, took place in present-day Idaho on January 29, 1863. The United States Army attacked Shoshone gathered at the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek in what was then southeastern Washington Territory. The...
, later Colonel, of the 2nd California Cavalry
2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
The 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States, with most of its companies dispersed to various posts.-History:...
, and Commander of the District of California
District of California
The District of California was a Union Army command department formed during the American Civil War. The district was part of the Department of the Pacific, the commander of the department also being District commander...
, and received a brevet
Brevet
Brevet may refer to:* Brevet , a temporary authorization for a person to hold a higher rank* Brevet , a long-distance bicycle ride with check-point controls* Aircrew brevet, a Royal Air Force and British Army badge...
promotion to Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
of Volunteers. After the Civil War he rejoined the U. S. Army as a Lt. Colonel.
Edward McGarry was a native of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, who served as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the Mexican American War with the U. S. 10th Infantry Regiment. He saw no action except as part of the garrison Army before the Peace took effect. McGarry left the Army and traveled to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
after the end of he war and became involved in California politics serving as an Assemblyman from Napa County's 20th District from 1853 to 1854. Subsequently from 1854 to 1855, he was a State Senator from Napa, Solano and Yolo Counties. When the American Civil War broke out, he assisted in raising the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
The 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States, with most of its companies dispersed to various posts.-History:...
, serving first as a Major under Col. Columbus Sims
Columbus Sims
Columbus Sims , lawyer, Colonel of California Volunteers in the American Civil War.Columbus Sims was a born in South Carolina. He came to Los Angeles, California in 1852. A popular attorney, he was known for an incident in which he threw an inkstand at his opponent during an altercation in court,...
. After marchng to Fort Ruby
Fort Ruby
Fort Ruby, also known as Camp Ruby, was built in 1862, during the American Civil War, in the "wilderness of eastern Nevada." It protected the overland mail coaches and Pony Express, which linked California to the Union...
, in Nevada Territory
Nevada Territory
The Territory of Nevada was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until October 31, 1864, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Nevada....
, Sims was relieved of his command by the Department of the Pacific
Department of the Pacific
The Department of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:The Department of the Pacific was first organized on October 31, 1853, at San Francisco, California, taking over from the previous Pacific Division. The department reported directly to...
on August 19, 1862. He was replaced in command of the 2nd California Cavalry detachment by Major McGarry by Col. Patrick Edward Connor
Patrick Edward Connor
Patrick Edward Connor was a Union General during the American Civil War. He was most famous for his campaigns against Native Americans in the American Old West.-Early life and career:...
. Under Connor's command the 2nd Cavalry served in Nevada and Utah during the rest of the Civil war, fighting various native tribes.
In the early 1860s, the Bannock
Bannock
Bannock has more than one meaning:* Bannock , a kind of bread, usually prepared by pan-frying* Bannock , a Native American people of what is now southeastern Oregon and western Idaho* Bannock County, Idaho* Bannock, Ohio...
and Shoshone
Shoshone
The Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
Indians in southern Idaho were becoming increasingly aggressive toward passing wagon trains. Travelers reported instances of thievery and attacks. Major Edward McGarry was sent to investigate, and reportedly executed some Shoshone for their actions. McGarry's executions angered the Shoshone even more, prompting them to threaten to kill any white person they found above the Bear River
Bear River (Utah)
The Bear River is a river, approximately long, in southwestern Wyoming, southeastern Idaho, and northern Utah, in the United States. The largest tributary of the Great Salt Lake, it drains a mountainous area and farming valleys northeast of the lake and southeast of the Snake River Plain...
. American forces, led by Colonel Patrick Edward Connor
Patrick Edward Connor
Patrick Edward Connor was a Union General during the American Civil War. He was most famous for his campaigns against Native Americans in the American Old West.-Early life and career:...
, were sent to confront the Shoshone, but the Battle of Bear River turned into a massacre that left 250 Shoshone dead.
On February 26, 1864, Edward McGarry was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and took command of Camp Union
Camp Union
Camp Union was a military training center for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Constructed near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the camp operated from 1861 until 1865, and primarily served various Pennsylvania volunteer regiments....
, from Lt. Colonel O. M. Brown, who went to Los Angeles. He was afterwards appointed Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and was given command of the 2nd California Cavalry from November 29, 1864 to March 31, 1866. In this capacity Col. McGarry presided over the military commission that tried the Salvador Pirates and found them guilty in May 1865.
As popular officer and famed for his role in the Cache Valley
Cache Valley
The Cache Valley is an agricultural valley of northern Utah and southeast Idaho that includes the Logan metropolitan area. The valley was used by 19th century mountain men and was the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre.-History:...
victory, McGarry was appointed one of the judges that declared the first of three famous California races between the thourouhgbreds Norfolk and Lodi a dead heat. In June 1865 he was ordered to succeed Brigadier General George Wright
George Wright (general)
George Wright was an American soldier who served in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
, in command of the District of California
District of California
The District of California was a Union Army command department formed during the American Civil War. The district was part of the Department of the Pacific, the commander of the department also being District commander...
.
After the war ended McGarry rejoined the regular Army and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the U. S. 32nd Regiment of Infantry, one of its newly organized regiments. In 1867, he was commanding a garrison at Tubac, Arizona
Tubac, Arizona
Tubac is a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 949 at the 2000 census. The place name Tubac is an English borrowing from a Hispanicized form of the O'odham name, which translates into English as "rotten". The original O'odham name is written...
when he showed up for a dress parade in the plaza in a sad state of intoxication. Consequently, McGarry was reassigned to San Francisco, California, but no disciplinary action was taken against him. However, he had been drinking very heavily and on the night of his death, he manifested symptoms of mania a potu, and the in the Occidental Hotel staff confined him to his room. About 11 o'clock he told the servant to clear out, locked the door and was found early the next morning, December 31, 1867, lying on the floor of his room in his own blood, his throat cut and an open pen knife by his side. No cause was found for his action, nothing was left in writng. It was supposed it was done in a temporary fit of insanity.
McGarry was 45 years of age when he died. His funeral was held at the Unitarian Church. General H. W. Halleck, commander of the Military Division of the Pacific
Military Division of the Pacific
The Military Division of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:On July 27, 1865 the Military Division of the Pacific was created under Major General Henry W...
and a large number of other officers of the Regular Army, ex-Governor Low
Frederick Low
Frederick Ferdinand Low was an American politician, US congressman and the ninth Governor of California.-Life:Born in Frankfort in 1828, Low attended the Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine. Low moved to California, entering the shipping business in San Francisco in 1849...
and several Judges of the State Courts attended. A military escort and many friends accompanied his body to the Cemetery.