Luther Hare

Luther Rector Hare (August 24, 1851 – December 22, 1929) was an officer in the 7th U.S. Cavalry, best known for participating in the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Hare was born in Greencastle, Indiana. His family moved to Texas in 1853. He entered West Point in 1870 and graduated in 1874, joining the 7th Cavalry later that year. By the time of the Black Hills War, he was a second lieutenant in Company K, serving in the battalion commanded by Capt. Frederick Benteen.

During the June 1876 expedition to the Little Bighorn River, Lieutenant Hare was on detached service assisting Lt. Charles Varnum with the Indian scouts. During the siege on Reno's Hill, he served as Maj. Marcus Reno's acting adjutant, since Lt. Benjamin Hodgson had been killed during the retreat from the woods. Hare later gave testimony at the subsequent Reno Court of Inquiry in 1879.

Hare participated in the Nez Perce War (1877), Battle of Wounded Knee (1890) and the Spanish-American War (Philippines Theater). He retired on medical disability in July 1903.

Luther Hare died at Walter Reed Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lrhare.htm Arlington-Luther Hare-Photos]

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