Henry E. Maynadier

Henry Eveleth Maynadier (1830 – December 3, 1868) was a United States Army officer known for his field work in Montana during the Raynolds Expedition and his work to set up peace talks with the Oglala and Brulé tribes at Fort Laramie in 1866. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Early life Henry Eveleth Maynadier was born in Virginia to William Murray Maynadier. He was from Norfolk, Virginia.

Career

Maynadier was commissioned as a brevet second lieutenant on May 1, 1851, and as second lieutenant on February 29, 1852. In 1859, the Mullan Road was under construction to connect the Upper Missouri River portion of Fort Benton, Montana to the Pacific Ocean. Captain William F. Raynolds and Maynadier of the United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers were sent to conduct military reconnaissance in a campaign that would be referred to as the Raynolds Expedition. The field work was unique because it would be the most detailed record of the Shields and Yellowstone River trail systems and geography. The timing of their field work during cultural change in the area was particularly important. Their report of their field work in the spring and autumn seasons of 1859 and 1860 would not get filed until 1867, as both Raynolds and Maynadier were called to serve in the American Civil War. On November 4, 1863, Maynadier succeeded Henry B. Clitz. At the time, he was on detached service as a member of the Hospital Inspection Board in Michigan. He commanded the 1st Battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment. In January 1865, Maynadier left his command in Elmira, New York for detached service. By the end of the Civil War, Maynadier rose to the rank of Colonel of United States Volunteers and brevet lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army for "faithful and meritorious service". His actions at Fort Laramie earned Maynadier the distinction of brevet major general for "accomplishing much toward bringing about peace with the late hostile tribes". Maynadier had at least two sons, Gibbs and Gustavus.

Maynadier died on December 3, 1868, aged 38, at Oglethorpe Barracks in Savannah. Maynadier was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Legacy In 2007, Maynadier's descendants met with the descendants of Spotted Tail to install a grave marker for Ah-ho-ap-pa's Fort Laramie grave.