Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal Harry Garland received the Medal of Honor for his actions between May 7 and August 20, 1877 at Little Muddy Creek & Camas Meadows, Montana & Idaho during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company L, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Garland was about 33 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 28, 1878. He later rose to the rank of Hospital Steward.
Garland was born in 1844 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Garland died on May 21, 1883 in Fort Ellis Hospital, Montana, at the age of about 39. He is buried at Fort Missoula Post Cemetery in Missoula, Montana. Records also list him as Buffam, Harry Garland.
Garland is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 75 credited to Indiana.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action with hostile Sioux at Little Muddy Creek, Mont.; having been wounded in the hip so as to be unable to stand, at Camas Meadows, Idaho, he still continued to direct the men under his charge until the enemy withdrew.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1844Born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- May 7 - August 20, 1877Act of valor — Little Muddy Creek & Camas Meadows, Montana & IdahoAge about 33. Company L, 2d U.S. Cavalry
- February 28, 1878Medal of Honor presented
- May 21, 1883Died in Fort Ellis Hospital, MontanaAge about 39.
- Resting placeFort Missoula Post CemeteryMissoula, Montana