This Week in Little Bighorn History

Francis Hegner died in Kenockee Township, Michigan, on January 17, 1891. He was a Private in Company F on detached service as a quartermaster laborer, most likely with the wagon train at Powder River, so he was not present during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) died on January 17, 1919, in New York City and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 1, Grave 107. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He was the brother-in-law of Donald McIntosh.

Joseph Carroll was born in New York, New York, on January 19, 1847. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

John E. Hammon (left) died on January 19, 1909, in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was buried there in the Bear Butte Cemetery. He was a Corporal in Company G and was in the hilltop and valley fights.

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 20, 1846, in Bellvernon, Virginia. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the battle.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 21, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Post Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota.

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