This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frank Braun died on October 4, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, during an operation on the gunshot wounds he received during the battle. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the face and left thigh during the fight on Reno Hill. He was originally buried at the Fort Abraham Lincoln Cemetery but was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Montana.

Abram B. Brant (left) died at Camp J. D. Sturgis, Dakota Territory, on October 4, 1878, from a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was buried at Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry M. Krusee, who was also known as Melanchton H. Crussy, was born on October 5, 1840, in New York City. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Abram Brant (above) was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Reno Hill one day after his death. Seven others were also awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for their actions during the battle: Neil Bancroft, Benjamin C. Criswell, Charles Cunningham, David W. Harris, William M. Harris, Stanislas Roy, and Thomas W. Stivers.

Black Fox (left) died on October 5, 1936, and was buried in the Holy Family U. S. Scouts Cemetery in Sanish, Mountrail County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was not present during the battle.

Jacob Horner (right) was born in New York City on October 6, 1855. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle 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 (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. 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 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 (left) 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 (right) 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 (left) 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 (right) married Nettie B. Bowen on October 10, 1867. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Benjamin C. Criswell (left) was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, on February 9, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for his actions during the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which he was wounded.

Weston Harrington was born on February 9, 1855, in Alton, Franklin County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column and buried on Last Stand Hill. There is also a memorial marker for him in the Alton Cemetery in his hometown.

George Armstrong Custer and Elizabeth Bacon were married by Rev. Dr. Boyd at the First Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Michigan, on February 9, 1864. Their wedding was reenacted in Monroe on October 6, 2019.

James Franklin Barsantee was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

William Sadler was born on February 10, 1855, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River.

Cassius R. Carter died of asphyxiation on February 10, 1896, at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Oak Woods Cemetery in that city. He was the Trumpeter for Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Stanislas Roy (left) died of cancer at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, on February 10, 1913, and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Corporal in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Jeremiah Campbell was born on February 11, 1844, in Sangamon County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Richard B. Dorn was born on February 11, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and was killed in the hilltop fight.

Christian Schlafer died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 11, 1905, of bronchial pneumonia. He was buried in the Walnut Hills Cemetery in Cincinnati. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Michael Delaney died on February 12, 1884, in Olney, Illinois, and was buried in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Jean Baptiste Desire Gallenne died in Washington, D.C., on February 12, 1911, and was buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (left) died on February 12, 1917, in Eddy, Texas, and was buried in the Shiloh Cemetery in Bell County, Texas. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (right) died in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, on February 12, 1932, and was buried in the Livermore Cemetery in Derry, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded in his right arm.

John Valentine Whisten was born on February 14, 1852, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Elijah T. Strode died on February 14, 1881, in Miller’s Saloon in Sturgis City, Dakota Territory. He was fatally shot by Private Thomas J. Whalen and buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

On February 14, 1882, Edwin Philip Eckerson married Sophie M. Bergsland in Hays, Kansas. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L, but he was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was en route.

Charles Kavanaugh died in Washington, D.C., on February 14, 1886, 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.

Charles Henry Bischoff died on February 14, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried there in the Loudon Park Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Julius Griesner died on February 15, 1882, and was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battlefield.

John Muering died in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on February 15, 1902, and was buried in the Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. He was the Saddler for Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Theodore Goldin (left) died on February 15, 1935, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions under fire.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Crawford Selby married Mary Elizabeth Beck on November 10, 1864, in Sturgis, Minnesota, and they were divorced on December 30, 1874. He was a Saddler with Company G when he was killed in the valley fight at Little Bighorn. Mary remarried in 1880.

Henry James Nowlan (left) died on November 10, 1898, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery. He was the First Lieutenant on the Quartermaster staff and was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William H. Gilbert (right) was born on November 11, 1851, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Corporal in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

 Stanislas Roy was born in France on November 12, 1846. He enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry in 1869 and served on both the Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. He later served as a corporal in Company A in the valley and hilltop fights at Little Bighorn.

William Sadler died of diabetes on November 12, 1921, in Linton, North Dakota, and was buried the following day in the Linton Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was not present due to detached service at Powder River.

Patrick Coakley (left) died at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1881, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas H. Rush died on November 13, 1905, in Elmhurst, Alameda County, California. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was not present at the battle because he was hospitalized at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

William C. Slaper died on November 13, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He attended the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the battle in 1926.

Frederic Francis Girard (right) was born on November 14, 1829, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. He was an Interpreter on the Quartermaster staff who went missing during the valley fight on June 25, 1876. He rejoined the soldiers on Reno Hill on June 26.

Edward Rood (left) was born in Tioga County, New York, on November 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company E who was killed in the battle.

Marcus Albert Reno (right) was born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois. Entire books have been written about Major Reno because he played a significant and controversial role in the battle.

Frank Volkenstine, who was also known as Frank Bowers, was born on November 15, 1844, in Birmingham, Michigan. He was a Private with Company M, but he was not on the campaign because he was dishonorably discharged in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on May 31, 1876.

On November 15, 1877, Frederic Francis Girard married his second wife, Ella Scarborough Waddell. He had previously been married to a Piegan Indian.

Markus Weiss died on November 15, 1879, at Fort Meade in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He died of a compound fracture of his neck that resulted from a cave-in of a gravel bank. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William David Nugent (left) died on November 15, 1934, in Coffeyville, Kansas, and was buried in the Parotte Cemetery in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James J. Galvan, who was also known as Michael J. Miller, was born in Liverpool, England, on November 16, 1848. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the battle.

Hugh McGonigle died on November 16, 1916, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

The Bismarck Tribune
October 24, 1877, p. 4

A number of men who survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn were killed fifteen months later on September 30, 1877, during the battle at Snake Creek, Montana.

They were initially buried on the battlefield at Bear Paw Mountain but were later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crowe Agency, Montana.

James Montgomery Bell (left) was born on October 1, 1837, in Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. He was the First Lieutenant for Company D who was not present at the battle because he was on leave.

Joseph Milton died in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, on October 1, 1904. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Wilbur F. Blair died on October 2, 1891, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and was buried there in the Lewisburg Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Patrick Carey died in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1893, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank Braun died on October 4, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, during an operation on the gunshot wounds he received during the battle. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the face and left thigh during the fight on Reno Hill. He was originally buried at the Fort Abraham Lincoln Cemetery but was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Montana.

Abram B. Brant (left) died at Camp J. D. Sturgis, Dakota Territory, on October 4, 1878, from a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was buried at Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry M. Krusee, who was also known as Melanchton H. Crussy, was born on October 5, 1840, in New York City. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Abram Brant (above) was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on Reno Hill one day after his death. Six others were also awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for their actions during the battle:

Black Fox (left) died on October 5, 1936, and was buried in the Holy Family U. S. Scouts Cemetery in Sanish, Mountrail County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was not present during the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James Franklin Barsantee was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

William Sadler was born on February 10, 1855, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River.

Cassius R. Carter died of asphyxiation on February 10, 1896, at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Oak Woods Cemetery in that city. He was the Trumpeter for Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Stanislas Roy (left) died of cancer at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, on February 10, 1913, and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Corporal in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jeremiah Campbell was born on February 11, 1844, in Sangamon County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Richard B. Dorn was born on February 11, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and was killed on the hilltop.

Christian Schlafer died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 11, 1905, of bronchial pneumonia. He was buried in the Walnut Hills Cemetery in Cincinnati. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Michael Delaney died on February 12, 1884, in Olney, Illinois, and was buried in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Jean Baptiste Desire Gallenne died in Washington, D.C., on February 12, 1911, and was buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (left) died on February 12, 1917, in Eddy, Texas, and was buried in the Shiloh Cemetery in Bell County, Texas. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (right) died in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, on February 12, 1932, and was buried in the Livermore Cemetery in Derry, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded in his right arm.

John Valentine Whisten was born on February 14, 1852 in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Elijah T. Strode died on February 14, 1881, in Miller’s Saloon in Sturgis City, Dakota Territory. He was fatally shot by Private Thomas J. Whalen and buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

On February 14, 1882, Edwin Philip Eckerson married Sophie M. Bergsland in Hays, Kansas. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L, but he was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was enroute.

Charles Kavanaugh died in Washington, D.C., on February 14, 1886, 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.

Charles Henry Bischoff died on February 14, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried there in the Loudon Park Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Julius Griesner died on February 15, 1882, and was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battlefield.

John Muering died in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on February 15, 1902, and was buried in the Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. He was the Saddler for Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Theodore Goldin (left) died on February 15, 1935, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions under fire.

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William H. Gilbert (left) was born on November 11, 1851, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Corporal in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Stanislas Roy (right) was born in France on November 12, 1846. He enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry in 1869 and served on both the Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. He later served as a Corporal in Company A in the valley and hilltop fights at Little Bighorn. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for bringing water to the wounded during the battle. He made two trips to the river under heavy fire.

William Sadler died of diabetes on November 12, 1921, in Linton, North Dakota, and was buried in the Linton Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was not present due to detached service at Powder River.

Patrick Coakley, (left) died at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1881, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas H. Rush died on November 13, 1905, in Elmhurst, Alameda County, California. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was not present at the battle because he was hospitalized at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

William C. Slaper died on November 13, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frederic Francis Girard (right) was born on November 14, 1829, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. On November 15, 1877, he married his second wife, Ella Scarborough Waddell. He had previously been married to a Piegan Indian. He was an Interpreter on the Quartermaster staff who went missing during the valley fight on June 25, 1876. He rejoined the soldiers on Reno Hill on June 26.

Edward Rood (left) was born in Tioga County, New York, on November 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company E who was killed in the battle.

Marcus Albert Reno (right) was born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois. Entire books have been written about Major Reno because he played a significant and controversial role in the battle.

Frank Volkenstine was born on November 15, 1844, in Birmingham, Michigan. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle. He had been dishonorably discharged on May 31, 1876, in Fort Wayne, Michigan.

Markus Weiss died on November 15, 1879, at Fort Meade in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He died of a compound fracture of his neck that resulted from a cave-in of a gravel bank. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James J. Galvan, who was also known as Michael J. Miller, was born in Liverpool, England, on November 16, 1848. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the battle.

Hugh McGonigle died on November 16, 1916, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas J. Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was on detached service at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. His burial location is not known.

Henry M. Brinkerhoff died on February 4, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Otto Voit (left) was born on February 5, 1845, in Baden, Germany. He was a Saddler for Company H who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded.

Otto Arndt died at The Presidio in San Francisco on February 6, 1917, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was in the Band and on detached service at the Powder River Depot during the battle.

William Alexander died in Washington, D.C., on February 6, 1922, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Packer for the Quartermaster and was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

John Duggan, who enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry as John L. Crowley, was born on February 7, 1849, in Fitchfield, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column and buried on Last Stand Hill.

William A. Losee was born in Brewster Station, New York, on February 7, 1852. He was a Private in Company F who was killed with Custer’s column. He was buried on Last Stand Hill, but there is also a memorial marker for him in the Old Methodist Cemetery in Brewster, Putnam County, New York.

John G. Kimm died on February 7, 1909, at the Soldiers Home in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was buried in the Mountain Home National Cemetery in that city. He was a Private in Company E who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

John J. Keefe was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on February 8, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

John J. Keller died on February 8, 1913, in Butte, Montana, and was buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Helena, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin C. Criswell (left) was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, on February 9, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded.

Weston Harrington was born on February 9, 1855, in Alton, Franklin County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column and buried on Last Stand Hill.

James Frank Barsantee was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

William Sadler was born on February 10, 1855, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was on detached service at Powder River at the time of the battle.

Stanislas Roy (left) died of cancer at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, on February 10, 1913. He was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

 

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Stanislas Roy (left) was born in France on November 12, 1846. He enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry in 1869 and served on both the Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. He later served as a corporal in Company A in the valley and hilltop fights at Little Bighorn. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, with the citation: “Brought water to the wounded under a most galling fire.” Roy attended the dedication of the Custer Monument in Monroe, Michigan, in 1910 and died of cancer in 1913 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio. He was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

William Sadler died on November 12, 1921, in Linton, North Dakota, and was buried the following day in the Linton Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River.

Patrick Coakley (right) died in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1881, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas H. Rush died on November 13, 1905, in Elmhurst, Alameda County, California. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was not present on the campaign because he was in the hospital at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

William C. Slaper (left) died on November 13, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He attended the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the battle in 1926.

Frederick Francis Girard was born on November 14, 1829, in St. Louis, Missouri. On November 15, 1877, he married Ella Scarborough Waddell. He had previously been married to a Piegan Indian. Girard was an interpreter who participated in the valley fight.

Edward Rood (right) was born in Tioga County, New York, on November 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company E and was killed in the battle.

Marcus Albert Reno was born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois. Entire books have been written about Major Reno because he played a significant role in the battle.

Frank Volkenstine, who was also known as Frank Bowers, was born on November 15, 1844, in Birmingham, Michigan. He was a Private with Company M, but he was not on the campaign because he was dishonorably discharged in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on May 31, 1876.

Markus Weiss died on November 15, 1879, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, as a result of a compound fracture of his neck he received from a cave-in of a gravel bank, and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Henry James Nowlan died in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on November 10, 1898, and was buried at the Little Rock National Cemetery in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. He was a First Lieutenant with the Quartermaster unit who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James J. Galvan, also known as Michael J. Miller, was born in Liverpool, England, on November 16, 1848. He was a Private in Company L and was killed in the battle.

Hugh McGonigle died on November 16, 1916, in Washington, D.C. , and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (left) was born on November 18, 1847, in Damerau, Germany. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Frederick Henry Gehrmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

James Hill died in Wooster, Ohio, on November 18, 1906, and was buried in the Wooster Cemetery two days later. He was the First Sergeant of Company B who was a pack train escort and fought on the hilltop.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Steve Alexander as George Armstrong Custer
Courtesy GeorgeCuster.com

 

In honor of an extraordinary Super Bowl, watch BIGHORN, a 15-minute, supernatural historical fantasy about General Custer’s real-life connection to the New England Patriots’ first Super Bowl win, starring Steve Alexander as Custer. See the link to Steve’s book below.

Seventh Cavalry anniversaries this week include:

Otto Voit was born on February 5, 1845, in Baden, Germany. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded.

Otto Arndt died at The Presidio in San Francisco on February 6, 1917, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was on detached service at the Powder River Depot during the battle.

William Alexander died in Washington, D.C., on February 6, 1922, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

John Duggan, who enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry as John L. Crowley, was born on February 7, 1849, in Fitchfield, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column.

William A. Losee was born in Brewster Station, New York, on February 7, 1852. He was a Private in Company F who was killed with Custer’s column. He was buried on Last Stand Hill, but there is also a memorial marker for him in Brewster, New York.

John G. Kimm died on February 7, 1909, at the Soldiers Home in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was buried in the Mountain Home National Cemetery in that city. He was a Private in Company E who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

John J. Keefe was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on February 8, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

John J. Keller died on February 8, 1913, in Butte, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin C. Criswell was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, on February 9, 1849. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded. He died on October 17, 1921, and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Eldorado, Oklahoma.

Weston Harrington was born on February 9, 1855, in Alton, Ohio. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column. He was buried on Last Stand Hill.

James Frank Barsantee was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight. He died in Boston on July 8, 1941.Ja

William Sadler was born on February 10, 1855, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was on detached service at the time of the battle. He died on November 12, 1921, in Linton, North Dakota, and was buried in the Linton City Cemetery in Bismarck.

Stanislas Roy died of cancer at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, on February 10, 1913. He was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

Jeremiah Campbell was born on February 11, 1844, in Sangamon County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight. He died on May 8, 1884, in Decatur, Illnois.

Richard B. Dorn was born on February 11, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and was killed in the hilltop fight. He was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Christian Schlafer died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 11, 1905, of bronchial pneumonia. He was buried in the Walnut Hills Cemetery in Cincinnati.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Henry P. Jones, also known as John Bush, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 1953. He served as a Private in Company I and participated in the pack train escort and the hilltop fight at Little Bighorn. Other Seventh Cavalry anniversaries this week include:

  • Crawford Selby married Mary Elizabeth Beck on November 10, 1864. He was a Saddler with Company G when he was killed in the valley fight at Little Bighorn. Mary remarried in 1880.
  • Stanislas Roy was born in France on November 12, 1846. He enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry in 1869 and served on both the Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. He later served as a corporal in Company A in the valley and hilltop fights at Little Bighorn.

Awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, with the citation: ‘Brought water to the wounded under a most galling fire,’ of the enemy in the Little Big Horn River fight.

 — Men with Custer

  Roy attended the dedication of the Custer Monument in Monroe, Michigan, in 1910 and died of cancer in 1913 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio.

  • Patrick Coakley, who was not present at the battle, died in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1881.