Eli L. Huggins

Eli Lundy Huggins (August 1, 1842 – October 22, 1929) was a US Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars. He was born in Schuyler County, Illinois, and died in San Diego.

After briefly attending Hamline University, Huggins dropped out and enlisted as a private in the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in July 1861. He was promoted to corporal in 1862, and was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga, but released the following year. In February 1865, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment before being mustered out the following September.

Thanks to a recommendation of congressman William Windom, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of artillery in February 1866, and regained the rank of first lieutenant in December. While still in the army, he attended Minnesota State University from 1872 to 1875. He was then transferred to the cavalry, and promoted to captain of the 2nd US Cavalry in 1879. In October 1882 he was appointed Assistant Inspector General in the Department of the Columbia. He was promoted to major in November 1894 (a week before receiving his medal) and served as aide-de-camp of general Nelson A. Miles until Miles' appointment as Commanding General of the Army.

Following the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he was appointed colonel of the 8th Volunteer Infantry in May 1898. After the war he reverted to his previous rank and served with the 6th US Cavalry in the Boxer Rebellion. He was again promoted to colonel in November 1901 and received command of his old regiment, the 2nd Cavalry. He was finally promoted to Brigadier General on February 22, 1901, and retired the next day.

Following his retirement, Huggins became a real-estate investor in the Indian Territory. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, 2nd U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Near O'Fallons, Mont., April 1, 1880. Entered service at: Minnesota. Birth: Schuyler County, Ill. Date of issue: November 27, 1894.

"Surprised the Indians in their strong position and fought them until dark with great boldness."