This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

James Wilbur Darcy, who was also known as James Wilber, was born on August 2, 1849, in Laurel, Maryland. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle. He was wounded in his left leg on June 26, 1876.

Jacob Hetler (left) was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on August 2, 1852 (gravestone has 1851). He was a Private in Company D who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Alexander Downing (right) died on August 2, 1884, in Newton Township, 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 at Fort Lincoln.

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 his right shoulder during the hilltop fight. According to his descendants, he wanted his remains to be shipped to Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, and placed in a vault. No record of his remains being in Illinois could be found.

William Earl Smith was born on August 3, 1853, in 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.

Charles Stillman Ilsley (left) was born on August 4, 1836, in Maine. He was a Captain for Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

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 up the pack train and distribute rations 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 at Powder River, Montana. According to The Bismarck Tribune, he later claimed to be “one of the few who escaped the Custer massacre.”

James M. Rooney (left) 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. See 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Henry Nicholaus Peter 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 at the Powder River, Montana.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

May 7, 1868 â€“ The Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Crow was concluded.

John Fitzgerald died in New York City on May 7, 1900, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens County, New York. He was the Farrier for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight.

Soldier (left), an Arikara Scout, died on May 7, 1921, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states, “Served his country as an Indian Scout.” He was with Reno’s Column, but he did not cross the river.

Good Elk (Wah-nee), an Arikara Scout who was also known as Red Bear, died in Nishu, North Dakota, on May 7, 1934, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota, where he is listed as Handsome Elk. He participated in the valley fight.

Charles Sanders was born on May 8, 1842, in Altenberg, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who served as the Orderly for Lt. Winfield Scott Edgerly and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edward Garlick (left) was born in Chertsey, England, on May 8, 1846. He was the First Sergeant for Company G who was on furlough at the time of the battle.

Jeremiah Campbell died on May 8, 1884, in Decatur, Illinois, and was buried in Westside Cemetery in Moweaqua, Shelby County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (left) was born on May 9, 1848, in Liverpool, England. He was the Staff Quartermaster Sergeant, but he was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

May 9, 1887 â€“ Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show opened in London.

Jasper Rudolph Marshall died in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, on May 9, 1920, and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

May 10, 1868 â€“ The Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe was concluded.

William Earl Smith died on May 10, 1918, in South Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery there. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles Henry Bishop was born in Washington, D.C., on May 11, 1854. He was a Private with Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Francis Johnson Kennedy (left), who was also known as Francis Johnson, was born on May 12, 1854, in Pacific, Missouri. He was a Private in Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Strikes the Bear (right), an Arikara Scout who was also known as Red Star, died on May 12, 1929, in Ree, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states he died on May 12, but other sources state he died on June 7, 1929.

Jacob Adams (left) died in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, on May 13, 1934, and was buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company H who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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

James Harrison Smith (left) died on February 5, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company G who was enroute to the battle, so he did not participate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cassius R. Carter died of asphyxiation on February 10, 1896, at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Oak Woods Cemetery in that city. He was the Trumpeter for Company G who was not present at the battle because he was the Acting Chief Trumpeter for Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, in June 1876.

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

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

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Uriah S. Lewis (left) died on January 29, 1914, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery in North Wales, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Frederic Francis Girard (left), an interpreter assigned to Reno’s column during the battle, died on January 30, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried in the Saint Benedict’s Parish Cemetery in Avon, Minnesota.

Edward Henry Pickard (right) died in Portland, Oregon, on January 30, 1928, three days after his 74th birthday. He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Charles Creighton (left) a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight, died in Tacoma, Washington, on January 30, 1935, and was buried in the Tacoma Mausoleum.

Peter Curtis Hall (right) was born on January 31, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D, but reports differ concerning his role in the battle. He may have participated in the hilltop fight.

George Wilhelmus Yates (left) divorced his first wife, Lucretia Irwin, on January 31, 1867, in St. Louis, Missouri, and remarried five years later. He was the Captain of Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Garrett H. Van Allen (right), an alias used by Garrett Houghtaling Niver, was born on February 1, 1846, in Bethlehem, New York. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

George Lawrence Heid died at Fort Totten, Dakota Territory, on February 1, 1887. He was a Private in Company M who was in both the valley and hilltop fights. He was buried in the Custer National Cemetery.

James Ezekiel Porter (left) was born on February 2, 1847, in Strong, Maine. He was a First Lieutenant in Company I who rode with Custer’s column. His body was not located, so he was presumed killed during the battle. He most likely was buried with the soldiers in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter (right) was born in New York Mills, New York, on February 3, 1848. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon during the battle and saw action in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Henry Campbell was born on February 3, 1850, in Boone County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who rode with the pack train and fought in the hilltop fight.

Levi Madison Thornberry was born in Marietta, Ohio, on February 3, 1853. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan was a Private in Company F who was on detached service with the wagon train at the Powder River Depot at the time of the battle.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas Eaton Graham was born on November 20, 1831, in Alton, Ohio. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

George Brainard died in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 20, 1886. He was a Private in Company B on detached service as an orderly for General Alfred Terry.

John Valentine Whisten died on November 20, 1912, in Oakland, California, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in that city. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank Joseph Geist (left) died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 20, 1918, and was buried in Lakewood Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

James T. Reilly died on November 21, 1880, in Baltimore, Maryland, and may be buried in the Loudon Park National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company E who was wounded by gunshot on Reno Hill during the battle.

Stephen Cowley (left) died on November 21, 1886, in Larimore, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, and was buried in the Bellevue Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was on detached service at Powder River during the battle, guarding the wagon train.

Alexander Brown Bishop was born on November 22, 1853, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a Corporal in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Edward Garlick (left) married Ann Elizabeth Hahn Dose, the widow of Henry C. Dose, on November 22, 1876. Garlick was the First Sergeant of Company G, but he was not at the battle because he was on furlough back in his native England. Dose was the Trumpeter for Company G who was killed with Custer’s Column.

George Gaffney died in Washington, D.C., on November 22, 1916, and was buried on November 27 in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service aboard the steamer Far West.

Charles Braden (left) was born on November 23, 1847, in Detroit. He was an 1859 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received his commission. He was a First Lieutenant in Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

William C. Slaper (right) was born on November 23, 1854, in Cincinnati. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Martin Personeus married Mary Pauline Crisfield, the widow of William B. Crisfield (left), on November 23, 1876. Personeus was a Private in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln. He was the company cook and was left behind to tend the company garden. Crisfield was also a Private in L Company who was killed with Custer’s Column. According to her grandsons, Mary Crisfield was a laundress for the 7th Cavalry at the time of the battle.

Moses Eaton Flint died on November 23, 1902, at Vanderbilt, South Dakota, and was buried in the Spring Valley Cemetery in Pollock, South Dakota. He was a Packer with the Quartermaster who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

George Blunt (left) died on November 23, 1905, at the Joyce Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried in the Loudon Park Cemetery in that city. His death was ruled an accident or suicide by gas asphyxiation. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Augustus Louis DeVoto died on November 23, 1923, in Tacoma, Washington, and was buried in the Calvary Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

November 24: Happy Thanksgiving to readers in the USA!

Charles Henry Campbell died on November 25, 1920, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Joseph Greene Tilford (left) was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, on November 26, 1828. He was an 1851 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was a Major at the time of the battle. He was absent with leave in Europe for a year from October 25, 1875, so he was not present at the battle.

William Ephraim Morris (right) died in New York City on November 26, 1933, and was buried in the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James Wilbur Darcy, who was also known as James Wilber, was born on August 2, 1849, in Laurel, Maryland. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was wounded in his left leg on June 26, 1876.

Jacob Hetler (left) was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on August 2, 1852 (gravestone has 1851). He was a Private in Company D who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Alexander Downing (right) died on August 2, 1884, in Newton Township, 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 at Fort Lincoln.

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 his right shoulder during the hilltop fight. According to his descendants, he wanted his remains to be shipped to Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, and placed in a vault. No record of his remains being in Illinois could be found.

William Earl Smith was born on August 3, 1853, in 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.

Charles Stillman Ilsley (left) was born on August 4, 1836, in Maine. He was a Captain for Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

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 up the pack train and distribute rations 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 at Powder River, Montana. According to The Bismarck Tribune, he later claimed to be “one of the few who escaped the Custer massacre.”

James M. Rooney (left) 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 Nicholaus Peter 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 at the Powder River, Montana.

Cornelius Cowley died on August 6, 1908, in Washington, D.C., at the Government Hospital for the Insane (now St. Elizabeth’s Hospital) and was buried in St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts as Cornelius Cawley on August 10, 1908. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles Sanders was born on May 8, 1842, in Altenberg, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who served as the Orderly for Lt. Winfield Scott Edgerly and participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edward Garlick (left) was born in Chertsey, England, on May 8, 1846. He was the First Sergeant for Company G who was on furlough at the time of the battle.

Jeremiah Campbell died on May 8, 1884, in Decatur, Illinois, and was buried in Westside Cemetery in Moweaqua, Shelby County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (left) was born on May 9, 1848, in Liverpool, England. He was the Staff Quartermaster Sergeant, but he was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

May 9, 1887 â€“ Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show opened in London.

Jasper Rudolph Marshall died in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, on May 9, 1920, and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

May 10, 1868 â€“ The Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe was concluded.

William Earl Smith died on May 10, 1918, in South Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery there. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles Henry Bishop was born in Washington, D.C., on May 11, 1854. He was a Private with Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Francis Johnson Kennedy (left), who was also known as Francis Johnson, was born on May 12, 1854, in Pacific, Missouri. He was a Private in Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Strikes the Bear (right), an Arikara Scout who was also known as Red Star, died on May 12, 1929, in Ree, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states he died on May 12, but other sources state he died on June 7, 1929.

Jacob Adams (left) died in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, on May 13, 1934, and was buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company H who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles Banks died on May 14, 1901, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Andrew Connor died on May 14, 1911, at the Government Hospital for the Insane in Washington, D.C. and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cassius R. Carter died of asphyxiation on February 10, 1896, at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Oak Woods Cemetery in that city. He was the Trumpeter for Company G who was not present at the battle because he was the Acting Chief Trumpeter for Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, in June 1876.

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

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

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

Richard Bernard Dorn was born on February 12, 1853, in Bronson, Michigan. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and was killed in the hilltop fight on June 26, 1876, while waking Capt. McDougall (right).

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

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

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

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederic Francis Girard (left), an interpreter assigned to Reno’s column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, died on January 30, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried in the Saint Benedict’s Parish Cemetery in Avon, Minnesota.

Edward Henry Pickard (right) died in Portland, Oregon, on January 30, 1928, three days after his 74th birthday. He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Charles Creighton (left) a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight, died in Tacoma, Washington, on January 30, 1935, and was buried in the Tacoma Mausoleum.

Peter Curtis Hall was born on January 31, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D, but reports differ concerning his role in the battle. He may have participated in the hilltop fight.

George Walter Yates (left) divorced his first wife, Lucretia Irwin, on January 31, 1867, in St. Louis, Missouri, and remarried five years later. He was the Captain of Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Garrett H. Van Allen (right), an alias used by Garrett Houghtaling Niver, was born on February 1, 1846, in Bethlehem, New York. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

George Lawrence Heid died at Fort Totten, Dakota Territory, on February 1, 1887. He was a Private in Company M who was in both the valley and hilltop fights. He was buried in the Custer National Cemetery.

James Ezekiel Porter (left) was born on February 2, 1847, in Strong, Maine. He was a First Lieutenant in Company I who rode with Custer’s column. His body was not located, so he was presumed killed during the battle. He most likely was buried with the soldiers in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter (right) was born in New York Mills, New York, on February 3, 1848. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon during the battle and saw action in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Henry Campbell was born on February 3, 1850, in Boone County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who rode with the pack train and fought in the hilltop fight.

Levi Madison Thornberry was born in Marietta, Ohio, on February 3, 1853. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan was a Private in Company F who was on detached service with the wagon train at the Powder River Depot at the time of the battle.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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

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

James Harrison Smith (left) died on February 5, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company G who was enroute to the battle, so he did not participate.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James T. Reilly died on November 21, 1880, in Baltimore, Maryland, and may be buried in the Loudon Park National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company E who was wounded by gunshot on Reno Hill during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Stephen Cowley (left) died on November 21, 1886, in Larimore, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, and was buried in the Bellevue Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was on detached service at Powder River during the battle, guarding the wagon train.

Alexander Brown Bishop was born on November 22, 1853, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a Corporal in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Edward Garlick married Ann Elizabeth Hahn Dose, the widow of Henry C. Dose, on November 22, 1876. Garlick was the First Sergeant of Company G, but he was not at the battle because he was on furlough back in his native England. Dose was the Trumpeter for Company G who was killed with Custer’s Column.

George Gaffney died in Washington, D.C., on November 22, 1916, and was buried on November 27 in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service aboard the steamer Far West.

Charles Braden (left) was born on November 23, 1847, in Detroit. He was an 1859 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received his commission. He was a First Lieutenant in Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

William C. Slaper (right) was born on November 23, 1854, in Cincinnati. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Martin Personeus married Mary Pauline Crisfield, the widow of William B. Crisfield, on November 23, 1876. Personeus was a Private in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln. He was the company cook and was left behind to tend the company garden. Crisfield (left) was also a Private in L Company who was killed with Custer’s Column. According to her grandsons, Mary Crisfield was a laundress for the 7th Cavalry at the time of the battle.

Moses Eaton Flint died on November 23, 1902, at Vanderbilt, South Dakota, and was buried in the Spring Valley Cemetery in Pollock, South Dakota. He was a Packer with the Quartermaster who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

George Blunt (left) died on November 23, 1905, at the Joyce Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried in the Loudon Park Cemetery in that city. His death was ruled an accident or suicide by gas asphyxiation. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Augustus Louis DeVoto died on November 23, 1923, in Tacoma, Washington, and was buried in the Calvary Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

November 25: Happy Thanksgiving to readers in the USA!

Charles Henry Campbell died on November 25, 1920, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Joseph Greene Tilford (left) was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, on November 26, 1828. He was an 1851 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was a Major at the time of the battle. He was absent with leave in Europe for a year from October 25, 1875, so he was not present at the battle.

William Ephraim Morris (right) died in New York City on November 26, 1933, and was buried in the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Hiram Wallace Sager was born on November 27, 1850, in Westport, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

The Battle on the Washita was on November 27, 1868.

Morris Hedding Thompson died on November 27, 1911, in Cloverdale, California, and was buried in the Cloverdale Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle. Like Martin Personeus, he was a cook who was on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, charged with tending the company garden.