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Henry Moore Harrington
Born (1849-04-30)April 30, 1849
Albion, New York
Died June 25, 1876(1876-06-25) (aged 27)
Montana
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1872–76
Rank Union 2nd lt rank insignia.svg Second Lieutenant
Unit Company C, 7th United States Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars Native American Wars

Henry Moore Harrington (born April 30, 1849 – died June 25, 1876) was a brave officer in the 7th United States Cavalry. He disappeared during the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn in what is now Montana.

Early Life

Henry Moore Harrington was born in Albion, New York. His parents were Shelby A. Harrington and Nancy K. Harrington. When he was young, his family moved to Coldwater, Michigan.

He studied at the Cleveland Institute. He was offered a chance to join the U.S. Naval Academy, but he chose to go to the West Point military school instead in 1868.

Joining the 7th Cavalry

Henry Harrington graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1872. He was ranked 17th in his class. After graduating, he became a Second Lieutenant in the Cavalry. He was assigned to Company C of the 7th United States Cavalry. His first assignment was in North Carolina.

He married Grace Berard, whose grandfather was a professor at West Point. They had two children together.

Early Expeditions

In 1873, Lieutenant Henry Harrington's Company C moved to Dakota Territory. He joined Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and a large part of the 7th Cavalry. They went on the Yellowstone Expedition of 1873.

During this expedition, Harrington took part in two fights. The first was the Battle of Honsinger Bluff in Montana on August 4, 1873. The second was a small fight near Pompey's Pillar, Montana, on August 11, 1873.

In the summer of 1874, Harrington and Company C were part of another important journey. They were the military escort for the Black Hills Expedition led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

The Little Bighorn Campaign

On May 17, 1876, a big conflict called the Great Sioux War of 1876 was happening. Brigadier General Alfred Terry's army group left Fort Abraham Lincoln. They began their journey for the Little Bighorn campaign.

Harrington's 7th Cavalry Regiment made up most of this army group. There were not enough officers, so Lieutenant Harrington was given command of Company C. He joined Major Marcus Reno's scouting mission. This mission took place from June 10 to 18, 1876. They explored the Powder River and Tongue River in southeastern Montana Territory.

After the scouting mission, Harrington and over 300 soldiers rejoined Colonel Custer and the rest of the 7th Cavalry. The regiment then marched up Rosebud Creek. From there, they crossed over to the Little Bighorn River.

The Battle and Disappearance

On June 25, 1876, the 647 men of the 7th Cavalry, including Henry Harrington, attacked a large village of Native Americans. This battle became known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Harrington and 219 other soldiers under Custer's direct command were separated from the rest of the regiment. They were all killed in the battle. Henry Moore Harrington's body was never found or identified on the battlefield. Because of this, he was officially listed as Missing in action and was believed to have died.

His wife, Grace Berard, made several trips to the battlefield. She hoped to find his body or any information about him if he had survived. However, she never found any clues.

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