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Participated in all scouting and combat missions of the 7th Cavalry in the indian lands. He was with Reno's Company at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. The day after the bloody battle at Wounded Knee on Dec. 29, 1890, hostile indians ambushed a detachment of the 7th Cavalry, in part commanded by Varnum. Varnum led a charge on advancing indians, regained a commanding position that assured the safe withdrawal of his and another troop in his regiment.

Printed on sleeve: Born Troy, N.Y., June 21, 1849. Family returned almost immediately to Mass. until 1865/66 when they moved to Pensacola. Received appointment to West Point in 1867.

He retired in 1907, but served with the National Guard of Idaho and as Professor of Military Science at the University of Maine. Retired again at age 70, in 1919. Died in San Francisco, Ca. in February 1936 and was buried in the National Cemetery, Presidio of San Francisco.