Howard B. Cushing

Because of his conquests and accomplishments, including the events that led to his death in 1871, Cushing was called "The Custer of Arizona." [3] In addition, Cushing's brother, Alonzo was in fact a classmate of George Armstrong Custer at the United States Military Academy at West Point.[1]

He served in the Union Artillery throughout the Civil War, first volunteering as a Private in the 1st Illinois Light Artillery and later earning a Federal Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery upon his brother's death.[1]

Cushing belonged to a family which won deserved renown throughout the Civil War. One brother, William Barker Cushing, was known for his defeat of a Confederate ironclad, the CSS Albemarle; another, Alonzo Cushing, died at his post of duty on the battlefield of Gettysburg in the Union Army earning him a belated (2014) Medal of Honor.[4] Throughout Howard Cushing's career, he was known for trying to measure up to his brothers' successes. It was said that his family felt that he had been unluckily placed, and had thus been engaged in only half a dozen battles.[5]

By the end of 1867, Cushing was promoted to First Lieutenant in Troop F of the 3rd Cavalry, serving first in western Texas and then southern Arizona.[5] It has been said that he and his troops had killed more Apaches than any other officer or troop of the US Army.[3]

Cushing was charged with pursuing Chiricahua Apache elements under Chief Cochise, who had recently broken a winter truce in the Tucson area in 1871. Cushing and 22 troopers pursued the Apache elements south towards the Mexican border, which was often used as a sanctuary when pursued by US forces.[6]

On May 5, 1871, Cushing came into contact with an Apache element approximately fifteen miles north of today's Fort Huachuca, in an area known as Bear Spring in the Whetstone Mountains.[7] This element was not led by Chief Cochise, but reportedly by the chief named Juh, who was known for stating his desire to kill Cushing.[8] Cushing and his lead element were immediately ambushed, resulting in the deaths of Lt. Cushing; Pvt Martin Green and a Mr Simpson; a Private Pierce was wounded. Several horses were killed and wounded. [9] The battle was described as fierce, and reduced to hand to hand combat. Cushing's non-commissioned officer, Sergeant John Mott, managed to rescue the wounded and lead a successful retreat with the remainder of the troopers.[10] Within 48hrs three US Cavalry Troops were dispatched from Fort Crittenden to pursue the Apaches, and found Cushing's body with his fellow fallen troopers, who were all stripped of their clothing and left by the Apaches.[11]

General Orders 11 was released by the Headquarters Department of Arizona on June 2, 1871 announcing his death "while gallantly leading his command in an attack against the band of Indians." Cushing was buried at Fort Lowell, northwest of Tucson.[12] He was later reinterred at San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio of San Francisco.

Cushing Street and the Cushing Street Bar, both located in downtown Tucson, Arizona are named in Cushing's honor.[7] A monument that honors Alonzo, William, and Howard Cushing is located at Cushing Memorial Park in Delafield, Wisconsin.[13]

• 
  Cushing Memorial Park Monument Plaque
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  Cushing Memorial Park Monument

• Howard B. Cushing at Find a Grave