This Week in Little Bighorn History

Cornelius Cowley died on August 6, 1908, in Washington, D.C., at the Government Hospital for the Insane (now St. Elizabeth’s Hospital). He 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.

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 during the battle.

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 during the battle.

Edmund Henry Burke was born in Manchester, England, on August 10, 1843. He was the son of Pat and Mary Crahen Burke. He was a Blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle. He married Mary Ann Collins in 1877 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and they lived in Frederika, Iowa, from about 1880 until Mary Ann’s death in 1912. He later lived in Bremer, Iowa, and Sumner, Iowa, where he died in 1925.

 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.

Philipp Spinner shot himself through his heart 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

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

Merry Christmas!

Timothy Haley was born in County Cork, Ireland, on December 25, 1846. He was born on Christmas, and he died on New Year’s Eve (see last entry). He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edwin Butler Wight was born in Casco, Maine, on December 25, 1849. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Thomas W. Coleman was born on December 25, 1850, in Troy, New York. He was a Private in Company B who with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was married on December 25, 1877, to Josephine Lee McIlhargey (right) the widow of Private Archibald McIlhargey who was killed during the battle.

William Millard Caldwell (right) married Blanche Miller on December 25, 1887, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

John Sivertsen (left) married Anna Olson on December 25, 1889, in Douglas County, Wisconsin. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Wilford Harrison (left) died on December 25, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant for Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (right) was born on December 26, 1846, in Sligo, Ireland. 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, guarding the wagon train.

Max Hoehn (left) was born in Berlin, Germany, on December 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company L who stayed with the regimental papers at Powder River so he was not in the battle.

John Meyers died of consumption on December 26, 1877, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was the Saddler for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later wounded in 1877 during Gen. Miles’ fight with Chief Joseph.

John J. Fay and John Fox both died in Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1932. Fay and Fox both were buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. Both were Privates in Company D. Fay participated in the valley and hilltop fights, and Fox was in the hilltop fight.

Frank Hunter died on December 27, 1899, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Wilson McConnell died on December 27, 1906, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Peter Thompson (left) was born in Markinch, County Fife, Scotland, on December 28, 1843. He was Private in Company C who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Three of the men who served with the Seventh Cavalry in 1876 were killed during the Battle of Wounded Knee in South Dakota on December 29, 1890:

Richard Winick Corwine was a Private in Company A on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the battle. He was killed at Wounded Knee and buried in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, but he was reinterred in the Fort Riley Post Cemetery in September 1906.

Gustave Korn (left) was a Private in Company I and participated in the hilltop fight. He became the caretaker of Comanche, the only horse that survived the battle. He was killed at Wounded Knee and buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery, but he was reinterred in the Fort Riley Post Cemetery on December 17, 1892.

George Daniel Wallace (right) was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the battle and fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He died at Wounded Knee of bullet wounds to his head and abdomen and was buried on January 6, 1891, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Yorkville, South Carolina.

Crawford Selby (left) and Mary Elizabeth Beck divorced on December 30, 1874, after ten years of marriage. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

William Jackson (right) died at Cutbank Creek on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana on December 30, 1899, and was buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana.  He was a scout who participated in the valley fight.

David W. Lewis died on December 30, 1914, at the Government Hospital for the Insane in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery at Section 17, Site 18504. He was a Private in Company B who was confined at Fort Barrancas, Florida, at the time of the battle.

William Henry Miller died in San Antonio, Texas, on December 30, 1914, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William R. Oman was born on December 31, 1843, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Timothy Haley died on December 31, 1913, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

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

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

Stephen Cowley (left) was born on December 26, 1846, in Sligo, Ireland. 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, guarding the wagon train.

Timothy Haley was born on December 26, 1846, in County Cork, Ireland. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. See his death information below.

Max Hoehn (left) was born in Berlin, Germany, on December 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company L who stayed with the regimental papers at Powder River so he was not in the battle.

John Meyers died of consumption on December 26, 1877, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was the Saddler for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later wounded in 1877 during Gen. Miles’ fight with Chief Joseph.

John J. Fay and John Fox both died in Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1932. Fay and Fox both were buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. Both were Privates in Company D. Fay participated in the valley and hilltop fights, and Fox was in the hilltop fight.

Wilson McConnell died on December 27, 1906, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Peter Thompson (left) was born in Markinch, County Fife, Scotland, on December 28, 1843. He was Private in Company C who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

John Samuel Ragsdale married Lois Durham on December 28, 1877. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Three of the men who served with the Seventh Cavalry in 1876 were killed during the Battle of Wounded Knee in South Dakota on December 29, 1890:

Richard Winick Corwine was a Private in Company A on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the battle. He was killed at Wounded Knee and buried in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, but he was reinterred in the Fort Riley Post Cemetery in September 1906.

Gustave Korn (left) was a Private in Company I and participated in the hilltop fight. He became the caretaker of Comanche, the only horse that survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was killed at Wounded Knee and buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery, but he was reinterred in the Fort Riley Post Cemetery on December 17, 1892.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the battle and fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He died at Wounded Knee of bullet wounds to his head and abdomen and was buried on January 6, 1891, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Yorkville, South Carolina.

Frank Hunter died on December 27, 1899, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Crawford Selby (left) and Mary Elizabeth Beck divorced on December 30, 1874, after ten years of marriage. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

William Jackson (right) died at Cutbank Creek on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana on December 30, 1899, and was buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana.  He was a scout who participated in the valley fight.

David W. Lewis died on December 30, 1914, at the Government Hospital for the Insane in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery at Section 17, Site 18504. He was a Private in Company B who was confined at Fort Barrancas, Florida, at the time of the battle.

William Henry Miller died in San Antonio, Texas, on December 30, 1914, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William R. Oman was born on December 31, 1843, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Timothy Haley died on December 31, 1913, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Happy New Year!

George Kelley was born on January 1, 1847, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle because he was detailed to General Terry’s column.

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.

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. 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 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 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.

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.

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.