He was born in Utica, NY on Jun. 16th, 1895. He graduated from West Point in 1872 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th US Infantry. At Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, September 30, 1877, a troop of cavalry was ordered to advance into a hostile Nez Perce Indian position. Riding into heavy enemy fire, with both commanding officers being killed, 2nd Lieutenant Long assumed command and under heavy fire led the charge against the Indians. For heroic leadership in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He remained in the Army retiring a Brigadier General in July 1904, relocated to California and became president of the California Wire Cloth Company of Oakland.