The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-06-24

ing authority on the Custer battle and the chief
defender of Custer when the question was raised
as to whether or not the disaster on the Little
Big Horn was due to Clusters disobedience of
the orders of his superior, Gen. Alfred II. Terry.
Not the least of General Godfreys services to
the memory of his dead commander was in re-
futing the SANDER that Custer had committed
suicide when he saw that the destruction of his
command was inevitable and not the least of
his contributions to the truthful history of the
Custer battle was his part in showing up as
impostors the various "last survivors" and Gus
ter scouts" who sought notoriety through the
reflected glory Of Clusters name and who enjoyed
for a little while their spurious fame.
General Godfrey was born in Ohio and enlist
ed in the Union army at the outbreak Of the
Civil war; serving in the Twenty-irst Ohio in
fantry from April to August, 1861. He became a
cadet in the United States Military academy at
West Point July 1, 1868, and graduated in
June, 1867, being Immediately appointed second
lieutenant in the Seventh cavalry. He pro-
NOTED to first lieutenant February 1, 1868, and
while holding that rank took part in various
Indian campaigns of the Seventh cavalry which
added much luster to Clusters reputation as
an Indian fighter.
Appointed captain of the Seventh in Deem
ber 1876, Godfrey took part in the campaign
against Chief Joseph and his Nez Perces the
next year and at the battle of the Bear Paw
mountain on September 80, 1877, he won the
brevet of major and the Medal Of Honor for
"most distinguished galantry in leading his
command into action where he was severely
wounded" At the time Of his death he was not
only the only surviving troop commander Of
Clusters regiment, but he was also said to have
been the oldest living graduate from West
Point
Mention of West Point recalls the fact that
another echo of the Custer tragedy was heard
recently when President Hoover reappointed
Miss Grace Aileen Harrington postmaster at
the United States Military academy. Cadets at
the academy know Miss Harrington as the dimin-
utive lady on whose kindly face there is al
ways a smile as she passes out their mail to
them But to others, familiar with West Point
history, she is the symbol of one Of the most
tragic episodes in the greater tragedy of the
Custer battle For she is the daughter of Lieut..
Henry Moore Harrington, subaltern in Capt.
Tom Clusters c troop of the Seventh cavalry,
who died on the Little Big Horn.
native of New York, Harrington was grad
uated from West Point in 1868. His first duty
was in North Carolina, but desiring more active
service he was transferred to the Seventh cav
airy in 1872 and joined that regiment in time to
participate in several minor Indian fights. He
was on leave In 1876 when the Seventh cavalry
was ordered to join General Terry's army which
was to be sent into the field against the hostile
Sioux and Cheyennes. Upon nearing OF this,
Harrington Immediately telegraphed that he was
giving up his leave and rejoining his troop. So
he was one Of those who rode away from Fort
Abraham Lincoln in North Dakota and took the
trail which led to the Little Big Horn, to death
and to utter mystery as to his end.
For Lieutenant Harrington was one Of the
three officers (the others being Lieutenants
James E. Porter of troop and James R. Sturgis
Of troop whose bodies were never found, at
least, not identified after the battle. OF them
noted authority on Indian history, e. A. Brinin-