This Week in Little Bighorn History

History Mystery: This week you are invited to solve a mystery concerning John Shauer whose death is noted below. An article about him appeared in The Billings Gazette in 1916, claiming he was “wearing a medal of honor for distinguished service during the 10 years of fighting in the Indian wars in the northwest. . . .” Verification of such a medal cannot be found. Please leave a comment if you can verify the award or email the Little Bighorn History Alliance.

William J. Gregg (left) was born on July 5, 1847, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Walter O. Taylor was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, on July 5, 1854. He was a Blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James C. Bennett died at 3:00 a.m. on July 5, 1876, aboard the Far West. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was wounded in the chest during the second day of the battle.

The Far West arrived at Fort Abraham Lincoln at 11:00 p.m. on July 5, 1876.

John Shauer died in Seattle, Washington, on July 7, 1924, and was buried in the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Franklin Barsantee died on July 8, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt (left) married Marguerite Willison on July 9, 1868, in Newport, Kentucky. They later had six children. He was a Private in the Band so he was not at the battle.

Daniel Newell

Daniel Newell  (right) married Mary Harlow on July 9, 1882, in the Fort Meade Chapel near Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Michael Keegan died on July 10, 1900, in Chicago, Illinois. He was originally buried in an unmarked grave in the Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois, and was reinterred in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois, on November 11, 1999. He was a Private in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Levi Madison Thornberry and Linnie Morris were married on July 11, 1899, in Manetta, Ohio, and they had a son, Levi Gordon Thornberry who was born in 1900. The elder Thornberry was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Edward Hall was born on April 19, 1851, in Winfield, New York. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was on detached service.

Joseph Kretchmer died on April 19, 1928, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

John Foley was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 20, 1839. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John E. Quinn, who was also known as John Gorham, was born on April 20, 1852, in Hartford, Connecticut. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at the Powder River Depot.

James Flanagan died in Mandan, North Dakota, on April 21, 1921, and was buried in the Mandan Union Cemetery. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edmund H. Burke died on April 21, 1925, in Sumner, Bremer County, Iowa, and was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery there. He was a blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles A. Crandall died on April 23, 1885, in New York City and was buried in the Brookdale Cemetery in Brookdale, Pennsylvania. He was a Corporal with Company C who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at the Powder River Depot.

William James Bailey (left), who was also known as William Baker, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 24, 1850. He was a Private and served as a scout. He was not present at the battle because he was on the steamer Far West.

George Anson Merritt (right) died on April 24, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in River Grove, Cook County, Illinois. He was a Private with the Band and, therefore, was not at the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Jacob Horner (left) was born in New York City on October 6, 1855. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

John Lattman died of a bleeding ulcer on October 7, 1913, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was buried in the Elk Vale Cemetery, east of Piedmont, South Dakota. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Henry Petring (right) died in Brooklyn, New York, on October 7, 1917, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in the eye and hip.

James Boggs died on October 7, 1921, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Shoops Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who received a medical discharge prior to the campaign.

John G. Tritten was born on October 8, 1846, in Canton Rune, Switzerland. He was a Sergeant on the staff of the Seventh Cavalry who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Stanton Hook died in Denver, Colorado, on October 8, 1898, and was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) was born on October 9, 1843, in Kalida, Ohio. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company K during scouting and the hilltop fight.

P. Henry Bishley was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 9, 1846. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Adam Wetzel was born on October 9, 1846, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Hairy Moccasin (right) died in Lodge Grass, Big Horn County, Montana, on October 9, 1922, and was buried in Saint Ann’s Cemetery there two days later. He was a scout who rode with Custer’s Column and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank Berwald (left) died on October 9, 1936, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt was born in Stonington, Connecticut, on October 10, 1840. He was a Private in the band that stayed behind, so he was not in the battle.

Algernon Emory Smith married Nettie B. Bower on October 10, 1867. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Christopher Criddle was born on October 11, 1845, in New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia. He was a Private in Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Harry McBratney died on October 12, 1892, near Mandan, North Dakota, and was buried in the Mandan Union Cemetery. He was a Packer with the pack train who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Shauer died in Seattle, Washington, on July 7, 1924, and was buried in the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Franklin Barsantee died on July 8, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt (left) married Marguerite Willison on July 9, 1868, in Newport, Kentucky. He was a Private in the Band so he was not at the battle.

Daniel Newell

Daniel Newell  (right) married Mary Harlow on July 9, 1882, in the Fort Meade Chapel near Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Michael Keegan died on July 10, 1900, in Chicago, Illinois. He was originally buried in an unmarked grave in the Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois, and was reinterred in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois, on November 11, 1999. He was a Private in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Levi Madison Thornberry and Linnie Morris were married on July 11, 1899, in Manetta, Ohio, and they had a son, Levi Gordon Thornberry who was born in 1900. The elder Thornberry was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (left) was born on July 12, 1848, in Bremen, Germany. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

John H. Meier died on July 12, 1917, in Washougal, Clark County, Washington, and was buried in the Washougal Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (right) was born in County Louth, Ireland, on July 13, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions at the Little Bighorn.

James Wilber Darcy died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 1920, and was buried three days later in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded in the left leg on June 26, 1876.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James Flanagan died in Mandan, North Dakota, on April 21, 1921, and was buried in the Mandan Union Cemetery. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edmund H. Burke died on April 21, 1925 in Sumner, Bremer County, Iowa, and was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery there. He was a blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles A. Crandall died on April 23, 1885, in New York City and was buried in the Brookdale Cemetery in Brookdale, Pennsylvania. He was a Corporal with Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was on detached service.

William James Bailey (left), who was also known as William Baker, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 24, 1850. He was a Private and served as a scout. He was not present at the battle because he was on the steamer Far West. [Photograph courtesy of Sherian Grant Kennedy.]

George Anson Merritt (right) died on April 24, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in River Grove, Cook County, Illinois. He was a Private with the Band and, therefore, was not at the battle.

Wilber F. Blair died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 25, 1918, and was buried at the Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jasper Marshall was born on April 26, 1852, in Spring Valley, Ohio. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James P. McNally died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 26, 1893, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William O’Mann died on April 26, 1901, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was a Private with Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin Franklin Burdick was born on April 27, 1851, in Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private with Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

Henry Armstrong “Autie” Reed (left) was born in Monroe, Michigan, on April 27, 1858. He was a civilian who was hired to accompany the Seventh on the campaign. He was the son of Lydia Custer Reed, the sister of George, Tom, and Boston Custer.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

A couple of new links are being introduced this week. If a death date is linked, click it to see the death notice or obituary for that person. Burials are also linked by the name of the cemetery. Both types of links should open in a new window so you will not lose this page. If you know of obituaries or burials I have missed, please let me know by writing to lbha@cox.net.

John Lattman died of a bleeding ulcer on October 7, 1913, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was buried in the Elk Vale Cemetery, east of Piedmont, South Dakota. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Henry Petring (left) died in Brooklyn, New York, on October 7, 1917, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in the eye and hip.

James Boggs died on October 7, 1921, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Shoops Cemetery there. H was a Private in Company H who received a medical discharge prior to the campaign.

John G. Tritten was born on October 8, 1846, in Canton Rune, Switzerland. He was a Sergeant on the staff of the Seventh Cavalry who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Stanton Hook died in Denver, Colorado, on October 8, 1898, and was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) was born on October 9, 1843, in Kalida, Ohio. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company K during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Henry Bishley was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 9, 1846. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Adam Wetzel was born on October 9, 1846, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Hairy Moccasin (right) died in Lodge Grass, Big Horn County, Montana, on October 9, 1922, and was buried in Saint Ann’s Cemetery there two days later. He was a scout who rode with Custer’s Column and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank Berwald died on October 9, 1936, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt was born in Stonington, Connecticut, on October 10, 1840. He was a Private in the band that stayed behind, so he was not in the battle.

Algernon Emory Smith married Nettie B. Bower on October 10, 1867. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Harry McBratney died on October 12, 1892, near Mandan, North Dakota. He was a Packer with the pack train who participated in the hilltop fight.

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles A. Crandall died on April 23, 1885, in New York City and was buried in the Brookdale Cemetery in Brookdale, Pennsylvania. He was a Corporal with Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was on detached service.

William James Bailey (left), who was also known as William Baker, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 24, 1850. He was a Private and served as a scout. He was not present at the battle because he was on the steamer Far West. [Photograph courtesy of Sherian Grant Kennedy.]

George Anson Merritt (right) died on April 24, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in River Grove, Cook County, Illinois. He was a Private with the Band and, therefore, was not at the battle.

Wilber F. Blair died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 25, 1918, and was buried at the Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jasper Marshall was born on April 26, 1852, in Spring Valley, Ohio. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James P. McNally died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 26, 1893, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William O’Mann died on April 26, 1901, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was a Private with Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin Franklin Burdick was born on April 27, 1851, in Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private with Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

Henry Armstrong “Autie” Reed (left) was born in Monroe, Michigan, on April 27, 1858. He was a civilian who was hired to accompany the Seventh on the campaign. He was the son of Lydia Custer Reed, the sister of George, Tom, and Boston Custer.

 

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

John G. Tritten was born on October 8, 1846, in Canton Rune, Switzerland. He was a Sergeant on the staff of the Seventh Cavalry who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Stanton Hook died in Denver, Colorado, on October 8, 1898, and was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) was born on October 9, 1843, in Kalida, Ohio. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company K during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Henry Bishley was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 9, 1846. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Adam Wetzel was born on October 9, 1846, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Hairy Moccasin (right) died in Lodge Grass, Big Horn County, Montana, on October 9, 1922, and was buried in Saint Ann’s Cemetery there two days later. He was a scout who rode with Custer’s Column and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank Berwald died on October 9, 1936, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt was born in Stonington, Connecticut, on October 10, 1840. He was a Private in the band that stayed behind, so he was not in the battle.

Algernon Emory Smith married Nettie B. Bower on October 10, 1867. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Harry McBratney died on October 12, 1892, near Mandan, North Dakota. He was a Packer with the pack train who participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry W. B. Mechlin was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, on October 14, 1851. He was a blacksmith for Company H who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight.

George Weaver died on October 14, 1886, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Ryan (left) died in West Newton, Massachusetts, on October 14, 1926, and was burned in the Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was the First Sergeant for Company M who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

William James Bailey (right) died on October 14, 1933, in St. Cloud, Florida, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Scout who was on the steamer Far West, so he was not present at the battle. He was also known as William Baker.

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles A. Crandall died on April 23, 1885, in New York City. He was a Corporal with Company C who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

William James BaileyWilliam James Bailey (left), who was also known as William Baker, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 24, 1850. He was a Private and served as a scout. He was not present at the battle because he was on the steamer Far West. [Photograph courtesy of Sherian Grant Kennedy.]

George Anson Merritt died on April 24, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois. He was a Private with the Band and, therefore, was not at the battle.

 

Wilber F. Blair died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 25, 1918, and was buried at the Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jasper Marshall was born on April 26, 1852, in Spring Valley, Ohio. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James P. McNally died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 26, 1893, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William O’Mann died on April 26, 1901, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was a Private with Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin Franklin Burdick was born on April 27, 1851, in Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private with Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

Henry Armstrong "Autie" Reed

 

Henry Armstrong “Autie” Reed (left) was born in Monroe, Michigan, on April 27, 1858. He was a civilian who was hired to accompany the campaign. He was the son of Lydia Custer Reed, the sister of George and Tom Custer.

 

George Hose was born on April 29, 1850, in Hesse Cassel, Germany. He was a Corporal with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.