 He commanded one of the failed Adolphus Greely Relief Expeditions in 1883.On December 29, 1890, Garlington was injured while at Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota, and received the Medal of Honor on September 23, 1893, for distinguished gallantry.Garlington's next promotions were to captain on December 3, 1891, and major, inspector general, on January 2, 1895.