This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles Braden (left) died on January 15, 1919, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried at the U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery. He was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to wounds suffered during an Indian attack on his camp on the Yellowstone River on August 11, 1873. He was granted a leave of absence on March 13, 1874, until he retired due to disability on June 28, 1878.

Young Hawk (left) died on January 16, 1915, in Elbowoods, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle. He died on January 16, 1927, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery there.

Fremont Kipp (left) died in Washington, D.C., on January 16, 1938, and was buried there in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Francis Hegner died in Kenockee Township, Michigan, on January 17, 1891. He was a Private in Company F on detached service as a quartermaster laborer, most likely with the wagon train at Powder River, so he was not present during the battle.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) died on January 17, 1919, in New York City and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 1, Grave 107. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He was the brother-in-law of Donald McIntosh (right).

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 19, 1846, in Fayette City, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the battle.

Joseph Carroll was born in New York, New York, on January 19, 1847. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

John E. Hammon (left) died on January 19, 1909, in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was buried there in the Bear Butte Cemetery. He was a Corporal in Company G and was in the hilltop and valley fights.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. See his entry on January 16 for more information.

Alexander Downing (left) married his first wife, Margaret Ann Harper, on January 20, 1864, in Belmont County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Stephen Cowley (right) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 21, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Post Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Young Hawk died on January 16, 1915, in Elbowoods, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle. He died on January 16, 1927, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery there.

Fremont Kipp (left) died in Washington, D.C., on January 16, 1938, and was buried there in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Francis Hegner died in Kenockee Township, Michigan, on January 17, 1891. He was a Private in Company F on detached service as a quartermaster laborer, most likely with the wagon train at Powder River, so he was not present during the battle.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) died on January 17, 1919, in New York City and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 1, Grave 107. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He was the brother-in-law of Donald McIntosh.

Joseph Carroll was born in New York, New York, on January 19, 1847. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

John E. Hammon (left) died on January 19, 1909, in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was buried there in the Bear Butte Cemetery. He was a Corporal in Company G and was in the hilltop and valley fights. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 20, 1846, in Bellvernon, Virginia. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the battle.

Alexander Downing married his first wife, Margaret Ann Harper, on January 20, 1864, in Belmont County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 21, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Post Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Michael Vincent Sheridan (left) was born on May 24, 1840, in Somerset, Ohio. He was the youngest brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan and often served on his staff. He was the Captain of Company L at the time of the battle, but he was not present due to detached service as aide-de-camp for his brother.

William Clemens Slaper (right) married his wife Sarah on May 25, 1882. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Christian C. Boisen was born in Denmark on May 26, 1840. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Shauer was born on May 26, 1852, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Levi Madison Thornberry died in Palmer Township, Ohio, on May 27, 1902, and was buried in Watertown Cemetery in Watertown, Ohio. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Stuart Stuart-Forbes was born on May 28, 1849, in Rugby, England. He was a Private with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Charles Theodore Wiedman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 28, 1856. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

William G. Abrams died in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 28, 1901, and was buried in Floyd Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Russell died in Letterman Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, on May 28, 1926, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Winer Cooke (left) was born on May 29, 1846, in Mt. Pleasant, Ontario, Canada. He was a First Lieutenant who served as the Regimental Adjutant. He was killed with Custer’s Column.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, on May 29, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L who participated in scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Francis Hegner died in Kenockee Township, Michigan, on January 17, 1891. He was a Private in Company F on detached service as a quartermaster laborer, most likely with the wagon train at Powder River, so he was not present during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) died on January 17, 1919, in New York City and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 1, Grave 107. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He was the brother-in-law of Donald McIntosh.

Joseph Carroll was born in New York, New York, on January 19, 1847. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

John E. Hammon (left) died on January 19, 1909, in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was buried there in the Bear Butte Cemetery. He was a Corporal in Company G and was in the hilltop and valley fights.

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 20, 1846, in Bellvernon, Virginia. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the battle.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 21, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Post Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Michael Vincent Sheridan was born on May 24, 1840, in Somerset, Ohio. He was the youngest brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan and often served on his staff. He was the Captain of Company L at the time of the battle, but he was not present due to detached service.

William Clemens Slaper (left) married his wife Sarah on May 25, 1882. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Christian C. Boisen was born in Denmark on May 26, 1840. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Samuel James Foster died on May 26, 1884, in Manchester, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Levi Madison Thornberry died in Palmer Township, Ohio, on May 27, 1902, and was buried in Watertown Cemetery in Watertown, Ohio. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Stuart Stuart Forbes was born on May 28, 1849, in Rugby, England. He was a Private with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

William G. Abrams died in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 28, 1901, and was buried in Floyd Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Russell died in Letterman Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, on May 28, 1926, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Winer Cooke (left) was born on May 29, 1846, in Mt. Pleasant, Ontario, Canada. He was a First Lieutenant who served as the Regimental Adjutant. He was killed with Custer’s Column.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, on May 29, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L who participated in scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Wiedman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1855. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

May 30, 1876 – George Custer, Tom Custer, and Companies C, D, F & M scouted the Little Missouri River.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Joseph Carroll was born in New York, New York, on January 19, 1847. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John E. Hammon (left) died on January 19, 1909, in Sturgis, South Dakota, and was buried there in the Bear Butte Cemetery. He was a Corporal in Company G and was in the hilltop and valley fights.

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 20, 1846, in Bellvernon, Virginia. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the battle.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 20, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota.

James Garland Sturgis (left) was born on January 24, 1854, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column. Unlike most officers, he was likely buried in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

James McNamara, who was a Private in Company H and participated in the hilltop fight, died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on January 24, 1932, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy, New York.

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Garlick, who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Christian C. Boisen was born in Denmark on May 26, 1840. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Samuel James Foster died on May 26, 1884, in Manchester, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Levi Madison Thornberry died in Palmer Township, Ohio, on May 27, 1902, and was buried in Watertown Cemetery in Watertown, Ohio. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Stuart Stuart-Forbes was born on May 28, 1849, in Rugby, England. He was a Private with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

William G. Abrams died in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 28, 1901, and was buried in Floyd Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Russell died in Letterman Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, on May 28, 1926, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Winer Cooke (left) was born on May 29, 1846, in Mt. Pleasant, Ontario, Canada. He was a First Lieutenant who served as the Regimental Adjutant. He was killed with Custer’s Column.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, on May 29, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L who participated in scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Theodore Wiedman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1855, and died on May 15, 1921, in Oatman, Arizona. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman, Arizona. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

May 30, 1876 – George Custer, Tom Custer, and Companies C, D, F & M scouted the Little Missouri River.

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 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 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 assistance in getting water for the wounded.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 20, 1846, in Bellvernon, Virginia. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 20, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

 George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota.

James Garland Sturgis (left) was born on January 24, 1854, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column. Unlike most officers, he was likely buried in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

James McNamara, who was a Private in Company H and participated in the hilltop fight, died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on January 24, 1932, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy, New York.

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Garlick, who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there.

John H. Meier, who was also known as Sonomon Angst, was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who was in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

Walter O. Taylor, a blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Rockland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1931. He was buried in the Northville Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Hiram Erastus Brown, who was also known as Erastus Graves Brown, died in Watervliet, New York, on May 20, 1904, and was buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York.  He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James Bustard was born on May 21, 1844, in Drumbar, County Donegal, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Thomas Mower McDougall was born at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1845. He was a Captain, commanding Company B during the battle, and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Hugo Findeisen committed suicide on May 21, 1881, at Fort Hamilton, New York, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. He was a Sergeant in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Curley (left) died of pneumonia at the Crow Agency in Montana on May 21, 1923, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was a Scout who rode with Custer’s Column.

Louis Baumgartner died on May 22, 1895, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital East Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William C. Williams died in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 22, 1919, and was buried in the New Vienna IOOF Cemetery in New Vienna, Ohio. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Michael Vincent Sheridan was born on May 24, 1840, in Somerset, Ohio. He was the youngest brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan and often served on his staff. He was the Captain of Company L at the time of the battle but he was not present due to detached service.

William Clemens Slaper married his wife Sarah on May 25, 1882. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Ami Cheever was born on May 26, 1849, in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the hilltop fight.

Christian C. Boisen was born in Denmark on May 26, 1840. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Samuel James Foster died on May 26, 1884, in Manchester, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

 

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota.

James Garland Sturgis (left) was born on January 24, 1854, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column. Unlike most officers, he was likely buried in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

James McNamara, who was a Private in Company H and participated in the hilltop fight, died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on January 24, 1932.

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Power River Depot.

Edward Garlick, who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there.

John H. Meier was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who was in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

Walter O. Taylor, a blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Rockland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1931. He was buried in the Northville Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Edward H. Pickard (left) was born on January 27, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts; He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He died on January 30, 1928, in Portland, Oregon, and was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there.

Jacob Katzenmaier was a Private in Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service. He died in Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, on January 27, 1880, and was buried in the Old Post Cemetery there.