Lieutenant Henry Moore Harrington

[sonofacavalryman]

Lieutenant Henry Moore Harrington of Company C, 7th U.S. Cavalry was born April 30, 1849 in New York state. Early in his life his family removed to Coldwater, Michigan a little over a hundred miles west of Monroe, Michigan where George A. Custer made his home.
After his graduation from University Heights college prep school as number 1 in his class, Henry was first offered an appointment to the Naval Academy but turned it down for an appointment to West Point. He graduated with the class of 1872 and promptly married Miss Grace Berard of New York.
His first assignment was to occupation duty in the Carolinas. Henry went to Fort Abraham Lincoln with Custer and then on the Yellowstone campaign of 1873 and the Black Hills Expedition of 1874. When the 7th Cavalry set out to meet its fate at the Little Big Horn, Captain Tom Custer passed the command of Company C to 2LT Henry Harrington.
After the battle Henry’s remains were not identified among the slain soldiers. There is a reason for that, he did not die at the LBH, but some miles east nearer the Rosebud River. There his remains would be discovered one year later by Army surgeon Dr. Robert Shufeldt, who misidentified them and after some time in the Army Medical Museum, they ended up in the Smithsonian Institution.
Meantime the family never knew what became of Henry and his fate remained a LBH mystery for 130 years. In the spring of 2003 I identified his remains. Forensic science established that the remains were indeed those of Henry Moore Harrington. The full story of this remarkable soldier is told in my book “Custer’s Lost Officer; the Search for Lieutenant Henry Moore Harrington, 7th U.S. Army”. The book may viewed here: www.lulu.com/greenpheon7
The book also tells the story of his wife’s three year sojourn in the West trying to find him or information on him among the Indian villages and western forts. It also explains why Henry is the soldier the Sioux warriors referred to as “The bravest man”.

[sonofacavalryman]

Lieutenant Henry Moore Harrington, circa 1873.

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[tbw]

Now that has to be a good read! When I can get enough scraped together, count me in.

[joewiggs]

Mar 16, 2010 12:20:24 GMT -5 sonofacavalryman said:

Lieutenant Henry Moore Harrington, circa 1873.

I will be buying this book! When ever we talk about the numerous mysteries of this battle; what happened to Harrington reigns supreme.

[sonofacavalryman]

Thanks Joe;
Many of the deeds attributed to Custer were actually done by Lt. Harrington. You will be surprised how his story can be traced in both soldier and warrior narrative. A fact I did not know about his hometown in Coldwater, MI until after I wrote the book is that Coldwater was known before the Civil War as a breeding area of national champion horses. Henry rode a very powerful horse at LBH. Had it not been for...well, I won't spoil it for you.

Walt

[sonofacavalryman]

There is an error in my original post. I am retired Army and have a tendency to write U.S. Army when in fact of course I meant 7th U.S. Cavalry.

BTW, I really am the son of a cavalryman. My dad served in the 87th Cavalry Recon Squadron, 7th Armored Division in WWII during the Battle of the Bulge. I've written of his and his unit's exploits in "From the Beaches to the Baltic; the Story of the 7th Armored Division in WWII".

Walt

[tbw]

Error accepted Walt. No harm done.

My father also served in WWII. Patton's 3rd to be exact, 4th armored division, 531st AAA btn. I've tried to get that history, but it seems the place in 'Louisiana' (ahem...) burned down and took alot of their historical papers with it.

[Cutter]

My Dad was in the 4th inf division that landed on Utah. Again, my wish is a good flick that would do a good historical account of LBH. One where only the "pontificators" could pick at, and then, not well.
The real story of the battle has all the makings......

[tbw]

This is where it really gets confusing. I know my dad had the 4th armored patch on his uniforms when I saw them. Can't miss that one! He always told me 3rd army, 4th armored Div. But when I looked up the history of the 531st it places it in to 30th ID. Strange... The only thing I can figure out is that his unit must have been detached to the 3rd army, 4th armored division at some point. I guess something to check out...

I'm with you cutter. I would really like to see a non-standard version of the LBH, nothing real wierd mind you, but something alot more believable than the same song 2nd verse stuff that's been filmed time after time. Put some color into it, you know! Each of those guys were colorful figures. Benteen the doubting Thomas sourpuss, Reno brave Civil War commander he was, yet "something" influenced his actions at a critical moment that seemed like panic, yet leave that for the audience to figure out. Harrington, who escaped the battlefield, and almost lived to tell about it. These movies always need the feminine touch to make it real, otherwise it gets way too stale, and there were plenty on boths sides of the conflict to keep a story line going there.

All I would ask is just don't send Custer and his battalion over the top of that blasted ridge! Use Godfrey's account of that or something. Change that up a bit. Don't have him attacking that stupid ford at "B". There are plenty of story lines out there that deviate from the "standard" or "accepted" versions, why not blend, chose and use?

Walt, any chance at a movie on Harrington? Now there'd be a good story!!!

[joewiggs]

What I would like to see is a realistic portrayal that dealt with mental debilitation due to the close proximity(infiltration) of a ferocious and embolden enemy. The real deal as it were. Soldiers then and now are pre-disposed to panic if training ranges from poor to non-existent and, there is no morality to re-enforce and motivate the "will" to fight. Then we would see what really, probably, happened from the fall of Calhoun Hill to the bitter, chaotic end of the battle.

[tbw]

And with that Joe, I really would like them to use Curley's observations more. At one point, if one reads it closely, Custer's troops were surrounded while still on horseback early on. This has never been portrayed correctly. Had this happened, what you said would have came into fruition....

And I still think a good movie on Harrington based on Walts book is one heck of an idea. How about it Walt?

[joewiggs]

Exactly Dennis! How about having Curley do the background narrative as the action unfolds. Imagine the emotion and anxiety in the 17 year olds voice as he describes the horrifying action on the killing fields.

Suddenly, a lone rider bolts across the field on a great, black stallion who rips through the swirling,choking alkaline dust and slowly outdistances his savage pursuers. Wounded, barely hanging on, the rider escapes only to meet death a short time later; the stalwart Lt. Harrington tumbles to the ground face down and lifeless just as Curley frantically flees east to tell his tale of woe to all who would listen!

[tbw]

Exactly Dennis! How about having Curley do the background narrative as the action unfolds.

I wouldn't have it any other way....

[sonofacavalryman]

Indeed, you two conjure up a very good movie idea. Yes, by all means, I'll sell the story line to Hollywood! Actually, what I would like to see is another documentary, say by History Channel with Harrington as the main focus. Henry admired Custer, he dressed like him as did several other 7th Cavalry officers. It is my belief, based on both soldier and warrior narrative that he peformed in a valiant manner. His death east of LBH was at the hands of two Santee Sioux who rode with Gall. The other hint I will drop is that they were brothers. Their names are "Sounds the Ground as he Walks" and "Gray Earth Track". The twin sons of a famous chief. Can you guess the chief"s name?

Walt

[melani]

Off the top of my head, without looking it up--Inkpaduta?