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Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Brigadier General Edward Settle Godfrey, United States Army
Born at Kalida, Ohio, October 9, 1843, he served as a Private, Company D, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry from April 12, 1861. He subsequently entered West Point and graduated in the Class of 1867. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 7th United States Cavalry, June 17, 1867 and was promoted through the grades to Brigadier General, January 17, 1907.
He was breveted Major, February 27, 1890, and awarded the Medal of Honor for "most distinguished gallantry" at Bear Paw Mountain against Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians , September 30, 1877.
He served in all the campaigns and Indian fights of his regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel (Brevet Major General) George A. Custer, until Custer's death.
He originated the Cossack and Rough Riding maneuvers for the Army Cavalry and was a member of the Board which devised drill regulations for Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry for the Army.
He served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and in the Philippines during the Insurrection there.
He was retired by operation of law on October 9, 1907.
He was also Senior Vice Commander in Chief of the Loyal Legion of the United States and was a 32 degree Mason. He was the author of "Cavalry Fire Disciplines," "Custer's Last Battle," "Some Reminincences, Including An Account of General Sully's Campaign Against The Southern Plains Indians," "Some Reminiscences Including The Washita Battle of November 26, 1868."
He died on April 1, 1932 and was buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. His second wife, Ida D. Emely Godfrey (1856-1941), whom he married on October 6, 1892, is buried with him.
GODFREY, EDWARD S.
Rank and organization: Captain, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, 30 September 1877. Entered service at: Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio. Born: 9 October 1843, Ottawa, Ohio. Date of issue: 27 November 1894.
CITATION:
Led his command into action when he was severely wounded.
April 1932 Press Report:
OLD INDIAN FIGHTER BURIED IN ARLINGTON
Full Military Honors Paid Gen. E. S. Godfrey,
Survivor of Custer Massacre.
Brigadier General Edward Settle Godfrey 88 retired Indian fighter of the Army who died Friday at his home in Cookstown, New Jersey, was buried this afternoon in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Gen Godfrey was a survivor of the historic massacre of General Custer and his men.
Services were held at Fort Myer Chapel at 2 o'clock. The following were honorary pallbearers:
Major General Edward F. McGlachin, Jr.; Major General William J. Snow, Major General Charles D. Rhodes, Major General George H. Cameron, Brigadier General Thomas H. Slaven and Colonel Henry H. Sheen, all retired; Colonel C. T. Rizer, Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Danford, Captain Robert G. Carter, retired and Graham H. Powell.
General Godfrey was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in leading his command in action against hostile Nez Perces at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, September 30, 1877. At the burial of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, General Godfrey led two platoons of medal of honor men who took part in those ceremonies.
He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as a private in the 21st Ohio Infantry, and was commissioned as second lieutenant after his graduation from the Military Academy in 1867.
General Godfrey is survived by widow, Mrs. Ida E. Godfrey of Cookstown; a daughter, Miss Mary Godfrey of the city, and son, Dr. E. S. Godfrey Jr. Albany, New York.
Photo Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Photo courtesy of Raymond L. Collins, 1990
Bear's Paw Battleground Monument
Surrender of Chief Joseph to Colonel Nelson A. Miles. To the valor and devotion of [ ] both red and white who struggled here. Erected by Congress of the United States under the authority of an Act approved April 15th, 1930.
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