Eli L. Huggins

Who was Eli L. Huggins?

Eli Lundy Huggins 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 March 1865, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment, before mustering out the following September.

Thanks to a recommendation by congressman William Windom, Huggins was commissioned as a second lieutenant of the 2nd Artillery Regiment in February 1866, and regained his wartime rank by the end of the year. While in the army, he attended Minnesota State University from 1872 to 1875. He was then promoted to captain of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in April 1879. In October 1882 he was assigned as Assistant Inspector General in the Department of the Columbia. He was promoted to major in January 1897, and served as aide-de-camp to general Nelson A. Miles until Miles' appointment as Commanding General of the Army.