This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Ryan (left) was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1845. He was the First Sergeant for Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

James C. Blair died on August 25, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Union Dale Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles Camillus DeRudio (right) was born in Belluno Venetia, Austria, on August 26, 1832. He was the First Lieutenant for Company E who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Marion E. Horn was born on August 26, 1853, in Richmond, Indiana. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

James Weeks died on Crow Agency, Montana, on August 26, 1877. He was a Private in Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Robert Jackson was born on August 27, 1856, at Fort Benton, Montana Territory. He was a Scout who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John E. Armstrong married Martha Hancock on August 27, 1856. He was a Private in Company A who was killed in the valley fight.

John S. Wells died on August 27, 1893, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Bismarck. He was a Sergeant in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Walter Scott Sterland died on August 27, 1922, in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, and was buried in the Dickinson Cemetery in Dickinson, Stark County, North Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

Darwin E. Symms was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 28, 1851. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Bad Heart Bull, who was among the first Oglala to fight Reno’s men on their approach to the village, died on August 28, 1913.

John McGlone died on August 28, 1920, in the Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Mullen died in San Francisco, California, on August 29, 1888, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio. He was a Sergeant with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles Sanders died on August 29, 1915, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a Private in Company D who served as an orderly for Lt. Edgerly during the battle and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Sivertsen (left) died in Washington, D.C., on August 30, 1925, 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.

Samuel B. Severs was born on August 31, 1854, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Little Sioux died in North Dakota on August 31, 1933, and is believed to have been buried in Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Twin Buttes, North Dakota. He was a Scout who was with Reno’s Column during the valley fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederick Smith died on August 18, 1905. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Jacob Huff died in Tilton, Illinois on August 18, 1929, and was buried in the North Grove Cemetery in Celina, Ohio. He was a Private in the band, which did not accompany the cavalry to the battle.

Thomas Sherborne died on August 19, 1910, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there under the name Thomas Shereborne. He was a Private in the band, which did not accompany the cavalry to the battle.

Black Elk (left) died on August 19, 1950, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, and was buried in the St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Manderson. He was a member of Big Road’s Band and claimed two scalps during the Reno fight.

William L. Crawford died on August 20, 1876, of typhoid fever at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later interred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Big Horn County, Montana. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Elwyn S. Reid died of heart failure at Fort D. A. Russell in Wyoming on August 20, 1895, and was buried there in what is now the Francis E. Warren Air Base Cemetery in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick William Benteen (right) was born on August 24, 1834, in Petersburg, Virginia, the son of Theodore Charles and Caroline Hargrove Benteen. He was the Captain of Company H, commanding a battalion, on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded.

James Flanagan was born in Innis, County Clare, Ireland, on August 24, 1839. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Calhoun (left) was born on August 24, 1845, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and married Maggie Custer on March 7, 1872. He was the First Lieutenant of Company C but commanded Company L during the battle. He was killed along with three brothers-in-law (George Custer, Tom Custer, and Boston Custer) and their nephew, Autie Reed.

Luther Rector Hare (right) was born in Noblesville, Indiana, on August 24, 1851, the son of Silas and Octavia Elizabeth Rector Hare. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K during the battle. He participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

William August Marshall died on August 24, 1892, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Philipp Spinner died at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1895, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

White Swan (left) died on the Crow Agency in Montana on August 12, 1904, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was an Indian Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, died on August 12, 1911, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Roman Rutten (who was also known as Roman Ruttenauer, Rutler, Rullin, and Bolten) was born on August 13, 1846, in Baden, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Morris Cain died in Colville, Washington, on August 13, 1906. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Carmody died of cancer on August 13, 1912, in New York City. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Fred E. Allan, who was also known as Alfred Ernest Allen, was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, on August 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company C who was killed while fighting with Custer’s column.

Charles H. Houghtaling died on August 14, 1881, at Fort Lewis, Colorado, and was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there. He was later reinterred at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Hill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 15, 1826 or 1833. He was the First Sergeant in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles A. Windolph (left), who was also known as Charles Wrangel, married his second wife, Mathilda Lulow, on August 16, 1884, in Sturgis, Dakota Territory. He was a Private in Company H who suffered a wound during the hilltop fight for which he received the Purple Heart. He was also the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the battle.

Edwin Philip Eckerson died on August 17, 1885, in Hays, Kansas, and was buried in the Mount Allen Cemetery there. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in Company L who was enroute to the battle on June 25 and 26, 1876.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles Stillman Ilsley was born on August 4, 1836, in Maine. He was a Captain for Company E who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Thomas Murray died at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on August 4, 1888, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight where he was wounded. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts to bring water to the wounded during the battle.

Gabriel Guessbacher died on August 4, 1916, in Warwick, North Dakota, and was buried there in the Warwick Cemetery. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service, but he later claimed to be a survivor.

James M. Rooney (right) died on August 5, 1918, in Yankton, South Dakota, and was buried in the State Hospital Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry N. B. Witt died in Santa Monica, California, on August 5, 1929. He was a Private for Company K who was not present due to detached service.

Cornelius Cowley died on August 6, 1908, in Washington, D.C., at the Government Hospital for the Insane (now St. Elizabeth’s Hospital) and may be buried in an unmarked grave in its cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Daniel Mahoney died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on August 7, 1885, 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.

Joseph H. Green was born on August 8, 1849, in Leitrim, Ireland. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edmund H. Burke was born in Manchester, England, on August 10, 1842. He was a Blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Davern died on August 10, 1896, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Virginia. He was a Private in Company F who served as an orderly for Major Reno. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William Gibbs was born on July 28, 1845, in Manchester, England. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Morris Mason Farrar was born on July 30, 1846, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company E who participated in the hilltop fight.

Jacob Hetler (left) was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on August 2, 1852. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was wounded.

Alexander Downing died on August 2, 1884, in Pleasant Hill, Miami County, Ohio, and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles W. Campbell died in Fort Bayard, New Mexico, on August 2, 1906. He was a Private in Company G who was with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

William Earl Smith was born on August 3, 1853, on Rouses Point, New York. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Akers died in Washington, D.C., on August 3, 1881, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William August Marshall was born in Germany on July 21, 1851. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

The Minneapolis Tribune reported on July 21, 1882, that “. . . Francis J. Kennedy and Mary E. Hogan . . . received legal permission yesterday to marry.” He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John A. Reed (left) died on July 21, 1897, at Fort Sisseton, South Dakota. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Eaton Tourtellotte died on July 22, 1891, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

 Owen Hale (right) was born on July 23, 1843, in Troy, New York. He was a Captain in Company K who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Ernst Meineke died in Columbia Station, Virginia, on July 24, 1907, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service.

Richard A. Wallace drowned on July 25, 1876, near the mouth of the Bighorn River in Montana Territory while attempting to cross the river for picket duty. He was eventually interred in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill. He was a Private with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas James Stowers died in Baxter, Tennessee, on July 25, 1933, and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery near Baxter. He was a Private with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Theodore W. Goldin (left) was born on July 25, 1858, in Avon Township, Wisconsin. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the battle.

August B. Siefert was born in Darmstadt, Germany, on July 26, 1850. He was a Private with Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry Haack died on July 27, 1881, at the Asylum for the Insane in Washington, D.C., and was buried in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital East Cemetery in the Anacostia district of the city. He was a Private with Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Aloys Bohner died in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, on July 27, 1887, and was buried in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. He was a Trumpeter with Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. “Jack” Mahoney (left) died on July 27, 1918, in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was buried in the St. Aloysius Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company C who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore died in Rawlins, Wyoming, on July 27, 1931, and was buried in the Rawlins Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Henry Drago died on July 16, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery (also known as St. Mary’s Cemetery) there. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (right) was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Nikolaus [Nickolas] Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Richard Winick Corwine was born in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1844. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

David Cooney died on July 20, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who rode with the pack train and 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

The steamer Far West received 54 wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 30, 1876.

Benjamin Hubert Hodgson

Benjamin Hubert Hodgson (left) was born on June 30, 1848, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Second Lieutenant for Company B who was the Acting Adjutant for Reno’s Column. He was killed in the valley fight.

George H. King died on July 2, 1876, in Pease Bottom, Montana Territory, where he was buried. In 1917, he was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency. He was a Corporal with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in the left shoulder on the evening of June 25 and was later evacuated to the steamer Far West where he died.

John Hackett and Esther Smith were married on July 2, 1902. He was a Private in Company G who was wounded in the left arm during the valley and hilltop fights.

William W. Lasley (right) died on July 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Eaton Tourtellotte was born on July 3, 1833, in Windham, Connecticut. He was the Captain of Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service.

William Montell George, a Private in Company K, died aboard the Far West on July 3, 1876, of wounds he received during the hilltop fight. He was buried the following day beside the Yellowstone River in Montana Territory. His grave was moved some time later to higher ground.

Peter Orlando Barry died on July 3, 1909, in Morgan, Maryland, and was buried in the Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodbine, Carroll County, Maryland. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas Mower McDougall (left) died in Brandon, Vermont, on July 3, 1909, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain commanding Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Michael John Walsh died on July 3, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company H who was not present at the battle due to confinement.

Happy Fourth of July!

William J. Logue was born on July 4, 1841, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Eugene L. Cooper, who used the alias George C. Morris, was born in Georgetown, Delaware, on July 4, 1851. He was a Corporal with Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Benjamin Franklin Churchill married Emily Valentine on July 4, 1880, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Packer for the Quartermaster who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore married Sarah Belcher on July 4, 1881, at Belcher Ranch, Custer County, Montana. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

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.

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 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 on July 5, 1876, at 11:00 p.m.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Carl August Bruns was born on June 23, 1830, in Brunswick, Germany. He was a Private with Company E who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

John Brightfield was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, on June 23, 1853. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Fred Stressinger was born on June 24, 1852, in Ripley County, Indiana. He was a Corporal in Company M who was killed in the valley fight.

In honor of all who lost their lives on June 25 and 26, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn: Soldiers, Warriors, Civilians, and Scouts.

Jacob Adams (left) was born on June 25, 1852, in Stark County, Ohio. He was a Private with Company H who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edward Diamond was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, on June 25, 1854. He was a Private with Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Chased by Owls (Two Kettle) died on June 25, 1876, during the battle.

Cloud Man (Sans Arc) died on June 25, 1876, during the battle.

Olans H. Northeg, whose birth name was Olaus Hansen Nordeeg, was born on June 26, 1841, in Nannestad, Akershus County, Norway. He was a Sergeant with Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

Cornelius Bresnahan died as a result of a railroad accident on June 26, 1901, and was buried in the North Cambridge Catholic Cemetery. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

On June 28, 1876, Curley tried to tell Captain Marsh about the battle.

Breech Cloth (Minneconjou) died on June 26, 1876, during the battle.

Black Wasichu (Oglala) died on June 27, 1876.

Thomas W. Stivers died in a gunfight on June 28, 1877, in Kingston, Kentucky, and was buried in the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was born in York County, South Carolina, on June 29, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the valley and hilltop fights.

William B. Crisfield (right) married Mary Pauline Blanchstone on June 29, 1865. They had three sons. He was a Private with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column. Several months after his death, his wife married Martin Personeus who also was a Private in Company L but was not present at the battle.