{"page_1": " AVERY BILLINGS CAIN\nby\nRandy Johnson\nAvery Billings Cain was born on the eighteenth of February,\n1840, in Rutland, Vermont.\nHis father John was a prominent ar-\nchitect and city official, serving as postmaster of Rutland shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War.\nMajor Cain's military career began when he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Fourth U. S. Infantry on August 5, 1861. He was brevetted captain for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia May 3, 1863, and then appointed major for his actions at the battle of North Anna River, Virginia, May 24, 1864. Throughout the war, Cain fought in numerous battles, including Spottsylvania in 1864, and was present and in command of his regiment at Lee's surrender at Appomattox in 1865.\nIn May of 1867 he arrived at Fort Sedgwick, Colorado, where\nhe would meet and share quarters with Lieutenant Lyman Kidder.\nOn October 31, 1867 Cain was married to Anna Cooper, daughter\nof United States Senator Cooper of Pennsylvania.\nFort Laramie, Wyoming was Cain's next duty assignment, and\nhe arrived there in the fall of 1870. The next few years were troubled ones. The isolation of a frontier military post caused many a man and officer to give in to the temptation of alcohol.\nMajor Cain at times struggled with this problem, but was able to overcome it.\nIn the summer of 1876, Major Cain and the Fourth U. S.\nInfantry were camped on the Yellowstone River under the command of General Crook. On June 17 at the battle of Rosebud Creek, Montana, Cain led two companies of infantry into the thickest of the fight. At one point he charged his command up a steep ridge, scattering the enemy, and capturing the bluffs.\nFor over half an hour his men held their position, though under an intense fire from a group of Indians who outnumbered them twenty to one. Some of these same Indians would massacre General Custer eight days later. Cain was praised for his gallant actions, and was recommended for promotion to lieutenant colonel. Many newspapers carried the story of his exploits in this battle.\nThe following year he was stationed in Chicago during the\nunion riots and remained there until order was restored. He returned to Fort Laramie in the spring of 1878.\nOver the years he kept up a close relationship with his\nparents, and returned home to visit them whenever possible.\nOn the morning of March 16, 1879 his orderly found him\nlying on his sofa near death, and immediately called for a surgeon. Major Cain died within a few minutes of the doctor's\narrival. The official cause of death was listed as cerebral apoplexy, or stroke.\nHis remains were sent home to Vermont, where he now lies in the family plot near his parents, brothers and sisters in the Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland. "}