This Week in Little Bighorn History

William Frank died on April 6, 1880, in Baltimore, Maryland. His burial location has yet to be discovered. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Curtis Hall died in Warsaw, Indiana, on April 6, 1908. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Herbert H. Arnold died on April 6, 1929, in Meriden, Connecticut, and was buried there in Walnut Grove Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Ackerman died at Fort Snelling Minnesota, on April 6, 1930. He was buried in the Forest Cemetery, which is now Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

William H. Gilbert (left) married Mary E. Hevener on April 7, 1870, and they had a son named Rudy who was born in 1874. William was a Corporal in Company L who died with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Alexander Brown (right) died on April 7, 1884, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company G who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William Alexander was born on April 8, 1838, in Armagh, Ireland. He was a packer with the Quartermaster who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John R. Gray was born in Troy, New York, on April 8, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Stephen L. Ryan died on April 8, 1885, in Bismarck, Dakota Territory, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James Harrison Smith (left) was born on April 9, 1848, in Madison, Indiana. He was a Private in Company G and one of three James Smiths in the Seventh Cavalry at the time. He was the only one of the three who was not present at the battle because he enlisted in the Seventh on June 20 and was en route to join his comrades. The other two who shared his name were killed with Custer’s Column and are buried on Last Stand Hill.

Morris Mason Farrar died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1899, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company E who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Gavin Capes (right) died on April 10, 1900, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Allegheny Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Henry W. B. Mechlin (left) died on April 10, 1926, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home Cemetery there. He was a blacksmith in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions there.

Robert Rowland died near the Cannonball River, North Dakota, around April 11, 1879, of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in his head and was buried in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company G who was not present due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frank J. Geist was born on February 16, 1856, in Wurtzburg, Bavaria. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

George Edwin Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John A. Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869, and he did not remarry until 1894. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. Rafter married Mary Madden on February 17, 1877. She was the widow of his friend, Private Robert H. Hughes (right) who was killed in the Deep Ravine. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle because he was confined.

William Othniel Taylor was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died the day after his 68th birthday (see below).

William Gibbs died on February 18, 1934, in Napa, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, California. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Othniel Taylor died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Garlington (right) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company H, but he was not present due to detached service.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service.

William Gavin Capes (right) was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present due to detached service.

William Millard Caldwell was born on February 22, 1857, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas James Finnegan was born on September 1, 1850, in Hillsboro, Ohio. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Jacob Deihle died in Washington, D.C., on September 2, 1885, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James P. Boyle died on September 2, 1920, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried there on September 4 in St. Mary’s Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, where he was wounded.

Hugh N. Moore died on September 3, 1900, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Donald McIntosh (left) was born in Quebec, Canada, on September 4, 1838. He was the First Lieutenant in command of Company G during the Battle of the Little Bighorn and was killed during the valley fight.

Francis M. Reeves died on September 4, 1902, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded twice in the retreat from the valley fight.

Charles Ackerman was born in Baden, Germany, on September 5, 1848. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Samuel B. Severs died on September 5, 1919, in El Dorado, Arkansas, and was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

William M. Shields died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1887, and was buried in the Post Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company E who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

John A. Bailey married Margaret Katherine Johnson (1840-1919) on September 6, 1894. They had a daughter named Florence in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1899. He was a Saddler with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Marcus Henry Kellogg (left) was born on March 31, 1833, in Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was a civilian newspaper correspondent who was killed with Custer’s column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn and buried on Last Stand Hill.

John Dolan (right) died at Fort Myer, Virginia, on March 31, 1922, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James W. Butler was born on April 1, 1844, in Limerick, Ireland. He stated he was born in Riverton, New Jersey, when he enlisted, but both his pension application and his death certificate listed Limerick, Ireland. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Philip McHugh died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1910, and was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery there. His gravestone has March 31 as his date of death, but all references state April 1. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) died in Cookstown, New Jersey, on April 1, 1932, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was an 1863 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was the First Lieutenant for Company K. He commanded that company during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Charles Clinton Barnett died in Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington, on April 3, 1935, and was buried there in Grand View Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Frank died on April 6, 1880, in Baltimore, Maryland. His burial location has yet to be discovered. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Curtis Hall died in Warsaw, Indiana, on April 6, 1908. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Herbert H. Arnold died on April 6, 1929, in Meriden, Connecticut, and was buried there in Walnut Grove Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Ackerman died at Fort Snelling Minnesota, on April 6, 1930. He was buried in the Forest Cemetery, which is now Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

George Edward Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. Rafter married Mary Madden on February 17, 1877. She was the widow of his friend, Pvt. Robert H. Hughes, who was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was confined.

William Othniel Taylor was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

William Gibbs died on February 18, 1934, in Napa, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, California. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Garlington (right) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company H, but he was not present due to detached service.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan. 

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service.

William Gavin Capes (right) was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present due to detached service.

William Millard Caldwell was born on February 22, 1857, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Andrew Humes Nave was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 23, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company I, but he was not present at the battle due to illness.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, died on February 23, 1928, in Deadwood, South Dakota, and was buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Jacob Deihle died in Washington, D.C., on September 2, 1885, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight in the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

James P. Boyle died on September 2, 1920, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried there on September 4 in St. Mary’s Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, where he was wounded in the back.

Hugh N. Moore died on September 3, 1900, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Donald McIntosh (left) was born in Quebec, Canada, on September 4, 1838, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant in command of Company G during the Battle of the Little Bighorn and was killed during the valley fight.

Francis M. Reeves died on September 4, 1902, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded twice in the retreat from the valley fight.

Charles Ackerman was born in Baden, Germany, on September 5, 1848. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Samuel B. Severs died on September 5, 1919, in Dorado, Arkansas, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in El Dorado. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. [Right, an advertisement for Severs’ business from Our Brother in Red (Muskogee, Oklahoma) 24 October 1895, Page 8.]

William M. Shields died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1887. He was a Private in Company E who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

John A. Bailey married Margaret Katherine Johnson (1840-1919) on September 6, 1894, and they had a daughter named Florence in 1899. He was a Saddler with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Strikes Two died on September 8, 1922, in Elbowood, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who crossed the river with Reno’s Column.

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

James W. Butler was born on April 1, 1844, in Limerick, Ireland. He stated he was born in Riverton, New Jersey, when he enlisted, but both his pension application and his death certificate listed Limerick, Ireland. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Philip McHugh died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1910, and was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery there. His gravestone has March 31 as his date of death, but Recommended References (see below) all state April 1. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) died in Cookstown, New Jersey, on April 1, 1932, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a graduate of the United States Military academy at West Point who was the First Lieutenant for Company K. He commanded that company during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Charles Clinton Barnett died in Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington, on April 3, 1935, and was buried there in Grand View Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Curtis Hall died in Warsaw, Indiana, on April 6, 1908. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Herbert H. Arnold died on April 6, 1929, in Meriden, Connecticut, and was buried there in Walnut Grove Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Ackerman died at Fort Snelling Minnesota, on April 6, 1930. He was buried in the Forest Cemetery, which is now Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

William H. Gilbert married Mary E. Hevener on April 7, 1870, and they had a son named Rudy. William was a Corporal in Company L who died with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Alexander Brown (left) died on April 7, 1884, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company G who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William G. Hardy died in San Francisco, California, on April 7, 1919, and was buried in the National Cemetery there, the Presidio. He was a trumpeter in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the Battle of the LIttle Bighorn because he was confined.

William Othniel Taylor was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan. Michael died the day after Philip’s funeral.

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service.

William Gavin Capes was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present due to detached service.

Andrew Humes Nave was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 23, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company I, but he was not present at the battle due to illness.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, died on February 23, 1928, in Deadwood, South Dakota, and was buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

George A. Rudolph was born in Meuterheim, Germany, on February 24, 1854. He was a Private in the Band and was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Louis Haack died on February 24, 1902, at the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in its National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Joseph Greene Tilford (left) died in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 1911, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Major who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

 

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Hugh N. Moore died on September 3, 1900, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Donald McIntosh was born in Quebec, Canada, on September 4, 1838 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant in command of Company G during the Battle of the Little Bighorn and was killed during the valley fight.

Francis M. Reeves died on September 4, 1902, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded twice in the retreat from the valley fight.

Charles Ackerman was born in Baden, Germany, on September 5, 1848. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Samuel B. Severs died on September 5, 1919, in Dorado, Arkansas, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in El Dorado. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

William M. Shields died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1887. He was a Private in Company E who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

John A. Bailey married Margaret Katherine Johnson (1840-1919) on September 6, 1894, with whom he had a daughter named Florence in 1899. He was a Saddler with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Strikes Two died on September 8, 1922, in Elbowood, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who crossed the river with Reno’s Column.

Patrick McDonnell died in San Antonio, Texas, on September 9, 1922, and was buried in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

 

This Week in Little Bighorn History

 

 

The Training School for Bakers and Cooks was established at Fort Riley in 1905 to teach soldiers about food preparation, including methods for preparing food in the field. Bakers were taught how to make ovens in the field in order to bake bread. Bromwell may be in this U.S. Army photograph.

Latrobe Bromwell was born about 1847 in Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Louisa E. Meriweather and Hosea J. Bromwell. He served in the 11th Maryland Infantry during the Civil War. While with the Seventh Cavalry, he was a Private in Company E who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he became ill on Rosebud Creek and was sent back to the Powder River Depot. Those in his company who went to battle were killed. He was the instructor in cooking at the Training School for Cooks and Bakers at Fort Riley, Kansas, until he retired in 1909. Bromwell died on April 2, 1923, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery.

Other Seventh Cavalry milestones this week include:

  • Charles Clinton Barnett died in Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington, on April 3, 1935, and was buried there in Grand View Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.
  • William Frank died on April 6, 1880, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.
  • John Curtis Hall died in Warsaw, Indiana, on April 6, 1908. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.
  • Herbert H. Arnold died on April 6, 1929, in Meriden, Connecticut, and was buried there in Walnut Grove Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.
  • Charles Ackerman died at Fort Snelling Minnesota, on April 6, 1930. He was buried in the Forest Cemetery, which is now Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.
  • William H. Gilbert married Mary E. Hevener on April 7, 1870. He was a Corporal in Company L who died with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.
  • Alexander Brown died on April 7, 1884, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company G who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.
  • William G. Hardy died in San Francisco, California, on April 7, 1919, and was buried in the National Cemetery there, the Presidio. He was a trumpeter in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.
  • William Alexander was born on April 8, 1838, in Armagh, Ireland. He was a packer with the Quartermaster who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.
  • John R. Gray was born in Troy, New York, on April 8, 1855 and died on April 30, 1915, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.
  • Stephen L. Ryan died on April 8, 1885, in Bismarck, Dakota Territory, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.