| Ernest Albert Garlington | |
|---|---|
Brig. Gen. Garlington in 1911 |
|
| Born | February 20, 1853 Newberry, South Carolina |
| Died | October 16, 1934 (aged 81) San Diego, California |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1876 - 1917 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | 7th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Indian Wars Wounded Knee Creek Spanish-American War Philippine-American War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Ernest Albert Garlington (February 20, 1853 – October 16, 1934) was a United States Army general who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars.
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Garlington was born in Newberry, South Carolina, and entered the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens in 1869; however, he left UGA before graduating to accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy. He graduated from the academy in 1876 and was commissioned on June 15 of that year as a second lieutenant in the 7th Regiment of the United States Cavalry, but he did not physically join the unit until after the Battle of the Little Big Horn, which occurred several weeks after his appointment.
He was quickly promoted to First Lieutenant on June 25, 1876 and then to Regimental Adjutant June 6, 1877, and served in that post until 1881. He commanded one of the failed Adolphus Greely Relief Expeditions in 1883. On December 29, 1890, Garlington was injured while fighting the Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, and received the Medal of Honor on September 23, 1893, for distinguished gallantry in that fight.
Garlington's next promotions were to captain on December 3, 1891, and Major (United States), Inspector General, on January 2, 1895. In 1898, Garlington served as Inspector General in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and participated in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. In that same year (July 7, 1898), he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He again served as Inspector General from 1899 through 1901 in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War. On March 1, 1901, Garlington was promoted to Colonel. He served in the Inspector General position again in the Philippines from 1905 to 1906.
The ultimate promotion for Garlington was to Brigadier General, Inspector General of the Army, on October 1, 1906, after which he served on the General Staff of the Army. In 1908, he conducted the Army investigation into the Brownsville Affair.
Garlington died in 1934 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His first wife, Anna Buford Garlington (1864–1954) and his daughter, Sally Chamberlain Garlington (1890–1949), are buried with him. His son, Cresswell Garlington, was also a Brigadier General in the United States Army and is buried in a separate plot at Arlington.
Books written by Garlington include: Historical Sketches of the Seventh Cavalry Regiment and A catechism on cavalry outposts, reconnaissance, patrols, and advance and rear guards.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Wounded Knee Creek, S. Dak., December 29, 1890. Entered service at: Athens, Ga. Born: February 20, 1853, Newberry, S.C. Date of issue: September 26, 1893.
Citation:
Distinguished gallantry.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George H. Burton |
Inspector General of the U. S. Army October 1, 1906-February 20, 1917 |
Succeeded by John L. Chamberlain |