Howard B. Cushing
| Howard Bass Cushing | |
|---|---|
| Born |
August 22, 1838 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Died | May 5, 1871 (aged 32) Whetstone Mountains, Arizona Territory |
| Place of burial | San Francisco National Cemetery San Francisco, California |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1861–1871 |
| Rank |
 First Lieutenant
|
| Battles/wars |
American Civil War Indian Wars |
| Relations |
Alonzo Cushing (brother) William B. Cushing (brother) |
Howard Bass Cushing (August 22, 1838–May 5, 1871) was an American soldier during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars, who was killed by the Apache during a campaign in Arizona Territory. Cushing was five foot, seven inches tall and described as “spare, sinewy, and active as a cat” with “keen gray or bluish green eyes.” His physical stature and reputation as an Indian fighter made him renowned throughout the young American southwest immediately following the end of the Civil War.
Because of his conquests and accomplishments, including the events that led to his death in 1871, Cushing was called “The Custer of Arizona.” In addition, Cushing's brother, Alonzo was in fact a classmate of George Armstrong Custer at the West Point Military Academy.
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.
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. 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.
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. It has been said that he and his troops had killed more Apaches than any other officer or troop of the US Army.
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.
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