Winfield Scott Edgerly

Winfield Scott Edgerly (May 29, 1846 – September 10, 1927) was an officer in the United States Army in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Born in New Hampshire in 1846, he attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1870. He served on the frontier through the Indian Wars, including the Battle of the Little Big Horn and the Wounded Knee Massacre; in the Spanish–American War; in the Philippine Insurrection; and (briefly) in World War I. He served in several command positions. He was an observer of the Kaiser Maneuvers in Germany in 1907. He was retired as a brigadier general for disability in 1909, was recalled briefly in 1917 and died in 1927. Edgerly is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life and education Edgerly was born on May 29, 1846, in Farmington, New Hampshire. He was educated in public schools in Farmington, at Effingham Institute, and at Phillips Exeter Academy. He graduated on June 15, 1870; his rank in his class is 50 of 58 and his Cullum number is 2361.

Career

Second lieutenant Edgerly was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry Regiment on June 15, 1870. Prior to the battle, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was discussing upcoming events with his junior officers; Edgerly expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of success; Custer replied that success depended on the "young officers." At about 12:15 p.m. on June 25, Benteen's battalion separated as ordered from the remainder of the regiment and proceeded at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the regiment's route of march; Benteen's mission was to intercept any Sans Arc warriors who attempted to escape from their village. Edgerly also served as the regimental quartermaster from June 25 to November 14, 1876.

After Wounded Knee, Edgerly was assigned to other posts in the west. He was assigned professor of military science at Maine State College during the 1895–1896 school year. His next assignment was duty with the National Guard of New Hampshire and as the U.S. mustering officer for New Hampshire from approximately Summer 1896 until June 1898.

Spanish–American War Edgerly was promoted to lieutenant colonel, U.S. Volunteers on June 8, 1898, and concurrently appointed as inspector general. Edgerly was assigned to the 2d Army Corps from June 25, 1898, until its disbandment; during that period he served as inspector general and acting inspector general (in that order) and for several months as commissary of musters. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 10th Cavalry Regiment on February 19, 1901, but served as a squadron commander of the 7th Cavalry until May 1902. He performed inspector general duties and investigated Spanish war claims. He returned to the U.S. for duty with the 7th Cavalry from July 1902 to February 1903. He was promoted to colonel in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in April 1903. He commanded Fort Myer, Virginia until December 1903, leaving that post for duty in the Philippines.

Philippine Islands Edgerly served in the Philippines from February 1904 until January 1907. During this period, he commanded Camp Wallace de Union, Camp Stotsenburg and Camp McKinley. He was promoted to brigadier general on June 23, 1905.

Memberships The New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Awards Indian Campaign Medal Spanish War Service Medal Army of Cuban Occupation Medal Philippine Campaign Medal World War I Victory Medal