After the Little Bighorn: Surviving Officers of the 7th Cavalry Regiment

 

The Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25-26, 1876, resulted in the complete annihilation of five companies (C, E, F, I, and L) under Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, including all officers in those units. However, the remaining seven companies (A, B, D, G, H, K, and M) under Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen survived the engagement, though with significant casualties (around 53 killed and 84 wounded across the regiment's survivors). These units retreated to a defensive position on what is now known as Reno Hill, where they held off attacks until relieved by forces under Generals Alfred Terry and John Gibbon on June 27. The surviving officers continued their military careers, with some facing scrutiny over the battle's tactics. A U.S. Army Court of Inquiry in 1879, requested by Reno, examined the conduct during the retreat and defense but cleared the officers involved of wrongdoing. Many participated in subsequent campaigns against Native American tribes, and the 7th Cavalry was reconstituted with new recruits by late 1876. Below is a summary of key surviving officers, their roles in the battle, and their post-battle fates, based on historical records.

Marcus Reno

Major; commanded the initial valley attack (Companies A, G, M) and led the retreat to Reno Hill for defense. Cleared by the 1879 Court of Inquiry but faced ongoing criticism for not supporting Custer more aggressively. Continued in the Army but was court-martialed twice for unrelated conduct issues (drunkenness and improper advances); dismissed from service in 1880. Worked as a civilian clerk and died of cancer in 1889 at age 54. His remains were reinterred at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in 1967.

Frederick Benteen

Captain; commanded Companies D, H, K; reinforced Reno on the hill and led counterattacks. Testified at the 1879 inquiry, criticizing Custer's decisions and defending the defensive stand. Promoted to major in 1882; retired in 1888 due to health issues from rheumatism and alcoholism. Died in 1898 at age 63.

Edward S. Godfrey

First Lieutenant; Company K under Benteen; helped establish skirmish lines on Reno Hill. Promoted through the ranks, reaching brigadier general by 1907. Participated in the Nez Perce War (1877) and Wounded Knee Massacre (1890). Retired in 1907 and died in 1932 at age 88.

Thomas Weir

Captain; Company D under Benteen; led an advance toward Custer's position but retreated to the hill. Suffered from post-battle depression and heavy drinking; died suddenly in New York City on December 9, 1876, at age 38, possibly from complications related to alcoholism or suicide.

Thomas McDougall

Captain; commanded Company B and the pack train escort. Joined the defense on Reno Hill. Continued service in the 7th Cavalry; promoted to major in 1895. Retired in 1896 and died in 1909 at age 64.

Thomas French

Captain; Company M under Reno; fought in the valley retreat. Testified at the 1879 inquiry. Court-martialed in 1880 for drunkenness and dismissed from service. Died in 1882 at age 34 from complications of alcoholism.

Henry Rinaldo Porter

Acting Assistant Surgeon; provided medical care on Reno Hill (sole surviving surgeon). Treated over 30 wounded during the siege. Mustered out in September 1876; returned to private medical practice in Bismarck, Dakota Territory. Later practiced in various locations; died in 1903 at age 55.

Charles Varnum

Second Lieutenant; chief of scouts (detached from Company A); wounded in the defense. Awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at White Clay Creek (1890) during the Ghost Dance War. Rose to colonel; retired in 1907 and died in 1936 at age 86.

Luther Hare

Second Lieutenant; second-in-command of scouts (detached from Company K). Continued service; participated in the Spanish-American War. Retired as lieutenant colonel in 1905; died in 1929 at age 77.

Winfield Edgerly

First Lieutenant; Company D under Weir. Promoted to captain; served in the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. Retired as brigadier general in 1913; died in 1927 at age 81.

Francis Gibson

First Lieutenant; Company H under Benteen. Continued in the Army; retired as major in 1895. Died in 1919 at age 71.

Other junior officers and lieutenants (e.g., Edward Gustave Mathey with the pack train) also survived but had less prominent roles. Many survivors dealt with physical wounds, psychological trauma, and public controversy over the battle's outcome, with alcoholism affecting several careers. The 7th Cavalry went on to fight in other conflicts, including the Nez Perce War (1877) and Wounded Knee (1890), where some of these officers were involved.

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