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 Charles A. Varnum - San Francisco National Cemetery Posted by:  DougK
N 37° 47.981 W 122° 27.818
10S E 547219 N 4183725
Charles Albert Varnum was most noted as the commander of scouts for George Armstrong Custer in the Little Bighorn Campaign during the Great Sioux War, He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in a conflict following the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Waymark Code: WMJYB2
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 01/15/2014
Views: 10
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Charles A. Varnum
is one of thirty-six Medal of Honor recipients buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery.
From Wikipedia:
In 1890, Captain Varnum commanded Company B of the 7th Cavalry at the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, against the aging Sioux Chief Big Foot and some 350 of his followers. The following day, during the Drexel Mission Fight at White Clay Creek, his heroics helped ensure a safe withdrawal for his troops. For his action, he received the Army Medal of Honor for Most Distinguished Gallantry on September 22, 1897.
Varnum was promoted to major on February 1, 1901, then to lieutenant colonel in April 1905. He sailed under orders for the Philippines from San Francisco in September 1905. Varnum was retired from the Regular Army for disability on October 31, 1907, continued serving with Idaho militia troops for another year. After leaving active service, he was a professor of military science at the University of Maine, and from 1912, he served as a recruiting officer in the reserves. He was promoted to Colonel during World War I, and relieved from duty on April 8, 1919.
When he died in 1936 at Letterman Hospital in the Presidio of San Francisco at the age of 86, Varnum was the last surviving officer of those who had participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery.
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Headstone Front
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Headstone Back
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The frontside indicates that his wife, Mary A., is with him.
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The backside indicates that his daughter, Georgia, is with him. This headstone is located in Section OS, Grave 3-3-A.
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Varnum's citation states:
While executing an order to withdraw, seeing that a continuance of the movement would expose another troop of his regiment to being cut off and surrounded, he disregarded orders to retire, placed himself in front of his men, led a charge upon the advancing Indians, regained a commanding position that had just been vacated, and thus insured a safe withdrawal of both detachments without further loss.
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Armed Service: Army
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