Bailey – Page 3 – Little Bighorn History

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Happy Valentine’s Day

Edward Housen was born on February 14, 1848, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was killed on June 26, 1876, during the hilltop fight at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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 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 at Powder River, Montana.

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, which remained at Powder River.

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 with General Terry.

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 J. 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 at Powder River, Montana, with the regimental band.

George Edwin Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John A. Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869, and he did not remarry until 1894. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. Rafter married Mary Madden on February 17, 1877. She was the widow of his friend, Private Robert H. Hughes (right) who was killed in the Deep Ravine. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle because he was confined as a result of a general court martial.

William Othniel Taylor (left) was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died the day after his 68th birthday (see below).

William Gibbs died on February 18, 1934, in Napa, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, California. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Othniel Taylor died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

Ernest Garlington (right) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was a Second Lieutenant assigned to the Seventh Cavalry, but he was not present because he was on leave after graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

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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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

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 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 (left) 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 at Powder River.

Ernest Albert Garlington (right) died in Coronado, California, on October 16, 1934, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Section 3, Grave 1735-BSH. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Fremont Kipp (left) 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 (right) 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.

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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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

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 (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 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.

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William M. Shields died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1888, and was buried in the Post Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company E who was wounded in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

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.

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.

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Henry Jackson was born on May 31, 1837, in Canterbury, England. He was a First Lieutenant in Company F who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

John J. “Jack” Mahoney (left) was born in Cork, Ireland, on May 31, 1845. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Goes Ahead (right) died at the Crow Agency in Montana on May 31, 1919, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was a Scout who rode with Custer’s Column and participated in the hilltop fight.

Otto Emil Voit (left) died on June 1, 1906, in Louisville, Kentucky, and was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery there. He was a saddler for Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

John A. Bailey died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 2, 1915, in an elevator accident. He was buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a saddler for Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

White Man Runs Him (left) died at Lodge Grass, Montana, on June 2, 1929, and was buried in Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Scout who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ramsey was a Private in Company I who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He deserted from Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on June 3, 1879.

Harry M. Krusee died on June 3, 1925, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River.

Black Calf (Hani-katil), who was also known as Boy Chief, died on June 4, 1922, in Armstrong, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column during the battle. He was buried with the name Boy Chief in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota.

Christopher Pendle (left) died on June 4, 1923, in Gardenville, Washington, and was cremated. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Crawford Selby was born on June 5, 1845, in Ashland County, Ohio. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

Michael John Walsh was born in Ireland on June 6, 1852. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle because he was under arrest in Louisiana following his desertion.

William M. Harris, a Medal of Honor recipient, died on June 6, 1885, in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, during a gunfight. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was buried in the Ballard/Jarman Cemetery in Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, and was later moved to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Patrick C. White, who was also known Patrick Connelly, was born on March 22, 1844, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded on his left shoulder during the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

Samuel Alcott died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 24, 1926, and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company A who was on detached service at the Powder River Depot at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Myles Walter Keogh (left) was born on March 25, 1840, in County Carlow, Ireland. He was a Captain in command of Company I when he was killed with Custer’s Column. His horse Comanche became famous as the “Sole Survivor” of Custer’s Column. For more about Keogh and his life in Ireland, see the articles by the late Elisabeth Kimber.

Henry Allen Bailey (right) was born in Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island, on March 25, 1852. He was the blacksmith for Company I and was killed with Custer’s Column. He was buried at Last Stand Hill.

Thomas Murphy died on March 25, 1909, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Ferdinand A. Culbertson was born on March 26, 1845, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Aaron Lee Woods died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 1902, and was buried there in Mount Moriah Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Holmstead died on March 27, 1880, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during which he was wounded.

Thomas Henry French (left) died on March 27, 1882, at Planters House, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was originally buried in the National Cemetery there. He was exhumed on March 4, 1891, and reinterred in Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Nathan T. Brown was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He died in battle against the Nez Perce in 1877 and was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine in Montana. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

Petter Gannon was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He died at Fort Assinniboine in 1886 and was originally buried there. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

George Anderson married Louisa Kiesel on March 27, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Carson Williams (left) was born on March 28, 1856, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Harvey Alexander Fox died in Warm Springs, Montana, on March 28, 1913, and was buried next to Scout William Jackson in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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

George Edwin Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John A. Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869, and he did not remarry until 1894. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle because he was confined.

William Othniel Taylor was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died the day after his 68th birthday (see below).

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Othniel Taylor died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

Ernest Garlington (right) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company H, but he was not present due to detached service.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan.

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service.

William Gavin Capes (right) was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present due to detached service.

William Millard Caldwell was born on February 22, 1857, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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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 (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.

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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.