Henry Moore Harrington
Encyclopedia
Henry Moore Harrington (April 30, 1849 – June 25, 1876) was a military officer in the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment
who perished with George Armstrong Custer
at the Battle of Little Big Horn in the Montana Territory
.
Harrington was born in Albion, New York
, the son of Shelby A. Harrington and Nancy K. (Moore) Harrington. Early in his childhood, his family relocated to Coldwater, Michigan
. He attended the Cleveland Institute at University Heights, Ohio before accepting an appointment to West Point
in 1868. Upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy (ranking 17th the Class of 1872), he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
of Cavalry
and assigned to Company C, 7th United States Cavalry with an initial posting to North Carolina
. He married Grace Berard, the granddaughter of a West Point professor
. The couple had two children.
In 1873, Company C was reassigned to the Dakota Territory
and Harrington accompanied Lieutenant Colonel
(Brevet Major General
) George Armstrong Custer on the 1873 Yellowstone Expedition. In 1874, he took part in the Black Hills Expedition.
In 1876, Custer's column departed Fort Abraham Lincoln
and embarked on the Little Big Horn campaign. The 7th Cavalry was short of officers, and Harrington commanded Company C during Major Marcus Reno
's scout along the Rosebud River. A few days later during the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Harrington was killed in action. His remains were not identified on the battlefield, and he was declared missing in action and presumed dead.
His bereaved wife made a series of trips to the area to look for his body or information regarding his whereabouts if he had survived the savage fight, but to no avail.
U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment
The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army Cavalry Regiment, whose lineage traces back to the mid-19th century. Its official nickname is "Garryowen," in honor of the Irish air Garryowen that was adopted as its march tune....
who perished with George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
at the Battle of Little Big Horn in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
.
Harrington was born in Albion, New York
Albion, New York
Albion may refer to the following places in the U.S. state of New York:* Albion , Orleans County, New York* Albion , Orleans County, New York* Albion, Oswego County, New York, a town...
, the son of Shelby A. Harrington and Nancy K. (Moore) Harrington. Early in his childhood, his family relocated to Coldwater, Michigan
Coldwater, Michigan
Coldwater is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,945. It is the county seat of Branch County....
. He attended the Cleveland Institute at University Heights, Ohio before accepting an appointment to West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1868. Upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy (ranking 17th the Class of 1872), he was commissioned 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...
of Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
and assigned to Company C, 7th United States Cavalry with an initial posting to North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He married Grace Berard, the granddaughter of a West Point professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
. The couple had two children.
In 1873, Company C was reassigned to the Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
and Harrington accompanied Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
(Brevet Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
) George Armstrong Custer on the 1873 Yellowstone Expedition. In 1874, he took part in the Black Hills Expedition.
In 1876, Custer's column departed Fort Abraham Lincoln
Fort Abraham Lincoln
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is located seven miles south of Mandan, North Dakota. The park is home to On-A-Slant Indian Village, the blockhouses and the Custer house...
and embarked on the Little Big Horn campaign. The 7th Cavalry was short of officers, and Harrington commanded Company C during Major Marcus Reno
Marcus Reno
Marcus Albert Reno was a career military officer in the American Civil War and in the Black Hills War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne...
's scout along the Rosebud River. A few days later during the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Harrington was killed in action. His remains were not identified on the battlefield, and he was declared missing in action and presumed dead.
His bereaved wife made a series of trips to the area to look for his body or information regarding his whereabouts if he had survived the savage fight, but to no avail.