This Week in Little Bighorn History

John E. Armstrong was born on November 4, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Saddler for Company A who was killed in the valley fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

William David Nugent (left) was born on November 5, 1852, in Grayson County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Olans H. Northeg committed suicide at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, on November 5, 1882. He was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Sergeant in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William G. Abrams married Elizabeth Adelphine Smith Marine on November 6, 1881. He was a Private in Company A who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John W. Burkman (left) committed suicide by gunshot in Billings, Montana, on November 6, 1925. He was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry P. Jones, also known as John Bush, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 1853. He served as a Private in Company I and participated in the pack train escort and the hilltop fight at Little Bighorn.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) was born on October 27, 1837, in Besancon, France. He was the First Lieutenant for Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) married Grace Cory Blum on October 27, 1875. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company D who was on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

William A. Curtiss died in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on October 27, 1888. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lewis Merrill (left) was born in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1834. He was a Major on the staff who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Bernard O’Neill died on October 27, 1896, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Frank K. Lombard was born on October 28, 1848, in Naples, Italy. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

William Millard Caldwell died on October 30, 1913, in Clearfield, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Old Town Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Anton Seibelder was born in Lichtenvoorde, Germany, on October 31, 1828. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Boston Custer (left) was born on October 31, 1848, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was the brother of George and Thomas Custer who was serving as a Guide on the campaign.

James Madison DeWolf (right) married Fannie J. Downing on October 31, 1871. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon for the staff who was killed during the retreat from the valley.

William Thomas Craycroft (left) died on October 31, 1906, in Dallas, Texas, and was buried in West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. He was an 1869 graduate of the United States Military Academy who was a First Lieutenant in Company B. He was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Frederick Braendle was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on November 1, 1855. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Yellowstone Depot. According to Men with Custer, Braendle was also known as Wilhelm Friedrich Braendle, William Brandle, and William Cummings.

James E. Moore died on November 1, 1894, in Union, South Carolina. He was a Farrier with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Camillus DeRudio (left) died on November 1, 1910, in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant in Company E who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Kane died in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 1879, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to illness.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frank Lambertin died on October 20, 1913, in Prescott, Yavapai County Arizona, and was buried in Citizens Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to illness.

George Kelley died on October 21, 1922, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Jacob Huff was born on October 22, 1850, in Zweibrucken, Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Edmond Burlis died in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 22, 1924, and he was buried in the Park Lawn Cemetery in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Henry Charles Weihe, who was also known as Charles White, died of heart disease on October 23, 1906, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Old Post Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions during the battle. He was a Private in Company B who traveled with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

David Manning died in New York City on October 25, 1910, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Dennis Lynch (left) died on October 13, 1933, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Henry W. B. Mechlin (right) 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 (left) 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 (right) died in West Newton, Massachusetts, on October 14, 1926, and was buried 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 (left) 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.

 Benjamin Beck was born on October 15, 1852, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in the Band, so he did not go on the campaign to the Little Bighorn.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (right) died on October 16, 1906, in Davenport, Iowa, and was buried in the Oakdale Memorial Gardens there. He was a Sergeant with the Quartermaster but was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Albert Garlington (left) died in Coronado, California, on October 16, 1934, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Fremont Kipp (right) was born on October 17, 1856, in Noble Hill, Noble County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin C. Criswell (left) died on October 17, 1921, in Eldorado, Jackson County, Oklahoma, and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Gould, Harmon County, Oklahoma. He was a Sergeant with Company B who rode with the pack train and was wounded during the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for his actions during that fight.

Anton Seibelder died at the U. S. Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 1913, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Michael Reagan, who was also known as John Desmond, was born on October 19, 1834, in Queenstown, Cobb County, Ireland. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Samuel Frederick Staples was born on October 19, 1849, in East Douglas, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

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

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

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

Isaac Fowler (left) was born on September 15, 1844, in Darke County, Ohio. He was a Private with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Thomas O’Brien died of typhoid fever at Fort Buford, Dakota Territory, on September 15, 1876. He was initially buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery, Crow Agency, Montana.

Henry Charles Weihe was born on September 16, 1847, in Saxony, Germany. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Algernon Emory Smith (left) 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.

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was concluded on September 17, 1851. When it was before the Senate for ratification, certain amendments were made which required the assent of the Tribes, but the assent was not obtained. Congress appropriated money for the fulfillment of the Treaty’s stipulations, but its validity was questioned.

James Montgomery Bell (right) died in Hermosa Beach, California, on September 17, 1919, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery (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 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, who was also known as George W. Glease, died on September 18, 1914, in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

David McWilliams committed suicide on September 19, 1882, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to being shot in his leg while aboard the Far West.

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 (left) 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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

George A. Bott died on September 8, 1883, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was buried in the Oakland and Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

 Samuel J. McCormick died of a heart attack on September 10, 1908, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (left) died in Farmington, New Hampshire, on September 10, 1927, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company D who went on scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore was born on September 12, 1854, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank W. Sniffin was born in New York City on September 12, 1857. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger died of a heart attack on September 12, 1917, in Sykes, Montana, and was buried in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was with the band, so he was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, was born in Orsle, Denmark, on September 13, 1849. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Nathan T. Brown died on September 13, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory, during a battle with the Nez Perce. He was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, and was reinterred on March 27, 1905, in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency in Montana.

Joseph Bates committed suicide in Sturgis, South Dakota, on September 13, 1893, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Richard P. Hanley (left) died on September 13, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts. He was a Sergeant with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Hobert Ryder died in Wheeling, West Virginia, sometime after September 14, 1893. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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.