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.

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Patrick Corcoran was born in Canada on March 15, 1844. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was wounded in the right shoulder on June 26, 1876.

Thomas Ward Custer (left) was born on March 15, 1846, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was awarded two Medals of Honor for his actions during the Civil War. He was the Captain of Company C during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Charles Welch

Charles H. Welch (right) was born in New York City on March 16, 1845. He was a Private in Company D who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight.

John Weiss was born on March 16, 1849, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Newell

Daniel Newell (left) was born on March 17, 1847, in County Roscommon, Ireland. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights of the battle.

P. Henry Bishley died on March 18, 1929, in Napa County, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight of the battle.

Edmond Burlis was born on March 19, 1848, in Klingnau, Switzerland. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

George Wesley Stephens died in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 1887, and was buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Edina, Knox County, Missouri. He was a Private in Company G who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Edwin B. Wight died on March 19, 1917, in Togus, Maine, and was buried in the Togus National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Charles Alexander Reynolds (left) was born on March 20, 1842, near Monmouth, Illinois. “Lonesome Charley” was a guide who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

Adam Wetzel died in Bozeman, Montana, on March 20, 1909, and was buried in the Holy Rosary Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Dennis Kerr died on March 21, 1890, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

James Wynn died at Fort Yates, North Dakota, on March 21, 1892, and was buried in the Post Cemetery there. He later was interred in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles Henry Bischoff was born in Bremen, Germany, on September 23, 1855. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Daniel Newell

Daniel Newell (left) died of gangrene on September 23, 1933, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Jahn Zametzer died at the U.S. Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 1877, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to illness.

John Robert Cooper died on September 24, 1903, in Harris, Iowa, and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Ocheyedan, Osceola County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

George Hose died at Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, on September 24, 1924, and was buried in the Lake Nebagamon Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Joseph K. Ricketts married Alice Williams on September 25, 1884, with whom he later had a son named Bryan. Joseph was a Wagoner with Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John E. Quinn died on September 26, 1932, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Thomas Benton Weir (left)  was born in Nashville, Ohio, on September 28, 1838. He was the Captain in command of Company D during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) died on September 28, 1889, at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Colonel commanding the Regiment, but he was not present due to detached service at St. Louis, Missouri. His son, Lt. James Garland Sturgis, was killed with Custer’s Column.

Patrick C. White, who used the alias Patrick Connelly, died on September 28, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company H who was wounded 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

Daniel Newell

Daniel Newell (left) was born on March 17, 1847, in County Rascommon, Ireland. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

P. Henry Bishley died on March 18, 1929, in Napa County, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edmund Burlis was born on March 19, 1848, in Klingnau, Switzerland. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

George Wesley Stephens died in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 1887, and was buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Edina, Knox County, Missouri. He was a Private in Company G who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Edwin B. Wight died on March 19, 1917, in Togus, Maine, and was buried in the Togus National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Charles Alexander Reynolds (left) was born on March 20, 1842, near Monmouth, Illinois. “Lonesome Charley” was a guide who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

Adam Wetzel died in Bozeman, Montana, on March 20, 1909, and was buried in the Holy Rosary Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Dennis Kerr died on March 21, 1890, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

James Wynn died at Fort Yates, North Dakota, on March 21, 1892, and was buried in the Post Cemetery there. He later was interred in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Patrick C. White, who was also known Patrick Connelly, was born on March 22, 1844, in Enniskellen, Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Thomas F. O’Neill (left) died on March 22, 1914, in Riverdale, Maryland, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Walter Hoyt died in Middleborough, Kentucky, on March 23, 1903. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles Henry Bischoff was born in Bremen, Germany, on September 23, 1855. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Daniel NewellDaniel Newell (left) died of gangrene on September 23, 1933, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Jahn Zametzer died at the U.S. Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 1877, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to illness.

John Robert Cooper died on September 24, 1903, in Harris, Iowa, and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Ocheyedan, Osceola County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

George Hose died at Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, on September 24, 1924, and was buried in the Lake Nebagamon Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Joseph K. Ricketts married Alice Williams on September 25, 1884, with whom he had a son named Bryan. Joseph was a Wagoner with Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John E. Quinn died on September 26, 1932, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Thomas Benton Weir (left)  was born in Nashville, Ohio, on September 28, 1838. He was the Captain in command of Company D during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) died on September 28, 1889, at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Colonel commanding the Regiment, but he was not present due to detached service at St. Louis, Missouri. His son, Lt. James Garland Sturgis, was killed with Custer’s Column.

Patrick Connelly died on September 28, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Sergeant with Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Conrad Farber died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 29, 1896. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

Daniel NewellDaniel Newell  (left) 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.

Thomas Joseph CallanThomas Joseph Callan (right) was born in County Louth, Ireland, on July 12, 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.

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.

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.

William O’Mann was born on July 14, 1849, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles A. Windolph (left) died on March 11, 1950, in Lead, South Dakota, and was buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. He was the last white survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor.

George A. Bott was born on March 12, 1853, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Isaac and Betty Bott. He was a Private in Company A who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Blake died in New York City on March 12, 1927. He was a Private in Company A who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He died in the city of his birth and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn.

George Washington Wylie died on March 13, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas. He was a Corporal in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry Petring married his wife Louisa on March 14, 1881. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded in the eye and hip.

Patrick Corcoran was born in Canada on March 15, 1844. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight. He was wounded in the right shoulder on June 26, 1876.

Thomas Ward Custer was born on March 15, 1846, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was awarded two Medals of Honors for his actions during the Civil War, and he died at Little Bighorn.

Charles WelchCharles H. Welch (left) was born in New York City on March 16, 1845. He was a Private in Company D who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight.

John Weiss was born on March 16, 1849, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was  a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Newell was born on March 17, 1847, in County Rascommon, Ireland. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Algernon Emory Smith was born on September 17, 1842, in Newport, New York. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who died with Custer’s Column.

James Montgomery Bell died in Hermosa Beach, California, on September 17, 1919, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemeter (The Presidio). He was a First Lieutenant of Company D who was on leave at the time of the battle.

James Lawler died on September 18, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Ferdinand Widmayer died in Riverton, New Jersey, on September 18, 1913, and was buried in the Epworth United Methodist Cemetery in Palmyra, New Jersey. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

George W. Glenn died on September 18, 1914, in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia. We was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anderson died of lip cancer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 19, 1912, and was buried the next day in the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, which is also known as Layman’s Cemetery. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Alexander Browne Bishop died on September 19, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in The Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Corporal in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

John A. Bailey was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, on September 20, 1847. He was a Saddler with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jacob Horner died of a respiratory infection on September 21, 1951, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles Henry Bischoff was born in Bremen, Germany, on September 23, 1855. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Newell died of gangrene on September 23, 1933, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the hilltop fight.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Daniel Newell
Daniel Newell  (left) 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 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.

Thomas Joseph Callan
Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was born in County Louth, Ireland, on July 12, 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.

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.

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.

William O’Mann was born on July 14, 1849, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.