This Week in Little Bighorn History

Stanislas Roy (left) was born in France on November 12, 1846. He enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry in 1869 and served on both the Yellowstone and Black Hills expeditions. He later served as a corporal in Company A in the valley and hilltop fights at Little Bighorn. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

William Sadler died of diabetes on November 12, 1921, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried the following day in the Linton Cemetery in Linton, North Dakota. He was a Private in Company D. Despite what his obituary stated, he was at Powder River at the time of the battle and not with Reno’s command.

Patrick Coakley (left) died at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1881, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service as an orderly for General Terry.

Thomas H. Rush, who was also known as Thomas Morton, died on November 13, 1905, in Elmhurst, Alameda County, California. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was not present at the battle because he was hospitalized at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

William C. Slaper (left) died on November 13, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He attended the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the battle in 1926.

Frederic Francis Girard (left) was born on November 14, 1829, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. He was an Interpreter on the Quartermaster staff who was missing during the valley fight on June 25. He rejoined the soldiers on Reno Hill on June 26.

Edward Rood (left) was born in Tioga County, New York, on November 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company E who was killed in the battle.

Marcus Albert Reno (right) was born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois. He commanded a battalion during the hilltop fight. Entire books have been written about Reno because he played a significant and controversial role in the battle.

Frank Volkenstine, who was also known as Frank Bowers, was born on November 15, 1844, in Birmingham, Michigan. He was a Private with Company M, but he was not on the campaign because he was dishonorably discharged in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on May 31, 1876.

On November 15, 1877, Frederic Francis Girard (above) married his second wife, Ella Scarborough Waddell. He had previously been married to a Piegan Indian.

Markus Weiss died on November 15, 1879, at Fort Meade in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He died of a compound fracture of his neck that resulted from a cave-in of a gravel bank. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Benjamin Johnson Haverstick died on November 15, 1922, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was buried there in the Greenwood Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William David Nugent (left) died on November 15, 1934, in Coffeyville, Kansas, and was buried in the Parotte Cemetery in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James J. Galvan, who was also known as Michael John Miller, was born in Liverpool, England, on November 16, 1848. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the battle.

John Donahoe died of heart failure on November 16, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Saddler for Company B and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Hugh McGonigle died on November 16, 1916, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (left) was born on November 18, 1847, in Damerau, Germany. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Frederick Henry Gehrmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Walter Scott Sterland married Ella Jane Blanchard on November 18, 1879. He was a Private in Company M who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

James Hill died in Wooster, Ohio, on November 18, 1906, and was buried in the Wooster Cemetery two days later. He was the First Sergeant of Company B who was a pack train escort and fought on the hilltop.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Patrick Coakley (left) died at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1881, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service as an orderly for General Terry.

Thomas H. Rush, who was also known as Thomas Morton, died on November 13, 1905, in Elmhurst, Alameda County, California. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was not present at the battle because he was hospitalized at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. (See also November 19 entry.)

William C. Slaper (left) died on November 13, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He attended the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the battle in 1926.

Frederic Francis Girard (left) was born on November 14, 1829, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. He was an Interpreter on the Quartermaster staff who was missing during the valley fight on June 25. He rejoined the soldiers on Reno Hill on June 26.

Edward Rood (right) was born in Tioga County, New York, on November 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company E who was killed in the battle.

Marcus Albert Reno (left) was born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois. He commanded a battalion during the hilltop fight. Entire books have been written about Reno because he played a significant and controversial role in the battle.

Frank Volkenstine, who was also known as Frank Bowers, was born on November 15, 1844, in Birmingham, Michigan. He was a Private with Company M, but he was not on the campaign because he was dishonorably discharged in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on May 31, 1876.

On November 15, 1877, Frederic Francis Girard (above) married his second wife, Ella Scarborough Waddell. He had previously been married to a Piegan Indian.

Markus Weiss died on November 15, 1879, at Fort Meade in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He died of a compound fracture of his neck that resulted from a cave-in of a gravel bank. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

William David Nugent (left) died on November 15, 1934, in Coffeyville, Kansas, and was buried in the Parotte Cemetery in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James J. Galvan, who was also known as Michael John Miller, was born in Liverpool, England, on November 16, 1848. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the battle.

John Donahoe died of heart failure on November 16, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Saddler for Company B and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Hugh McGonigle died on November 16, 1916, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (left) was born on November 18, 1847, in Damerau, Germany. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Frederick Henry Gehrmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Walter Scott Sterland married Ella Jane Blanchard on November 18, 1879. He was a Private in Company M who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

James Hill died in Wooster, Ohio, on November 18, 1906, and was buried in the Wooster Cemetery two days later. He was the First Sergeant of Company B who was a pack train escort and fought on the hilltop.

Thomas H. Rush, also known as Thomas Morton, was born on November 19, 1841, in Greenville, Ohio. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory during the campaign due to illness.

William W. Lasley (left) was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, on November 19, 1842. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

Paul Friedrich Gottlief Schleiffarth died on November 19, 1896, at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the mouth of Rosebud Creek.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederic Francis Girard (left) was born on November 14, 1829, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. He was an Interpreter on the Quartermaster staff who was missing during the valley fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. He rejoined the soldiers on Reno Hill on June 26.

Edward Rood (right) was born in Tioga County, New York, on November 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company E who was killed in the battle.

Marcus Albert Reno (left) was born on November 15, 1834, in Carrollton, Illinois. He commanded a battalion during the hilltop fight. Entire books have been written about Major Reno because he played a significant and controversial role in the battle.

Frank Volkenstine, who was also known as Frank Bowers, was born on November 15, 1844, in Birmingham, Michigan. He was a Private with Company M, but he was not on the campaign because he was dishonorably discharged in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on May 31, 1876.

On November 15, 1877, Frederic Francis Girard (above) married his second wife, Ella Scarborough Waddell. He had previously been married to a Piegan Indian.

Markus Weiss died on November 15, 1879, at Fort Meade in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He died of a compound fracture of his neck that resulted from a cave-in of a gravel bank. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

William David Nugent (left) died on November 15, 1934, in Coffeyville, Kansas, and was buried in the Parotte Cemetery in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James J. Galvan, who was also known as Michael J. Miller, was born in Liverpool, England, on November 16, 1848. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the battle.

John Donahoe died of heart failure on November 16, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Saddler for Company B and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Hugh McGonigle died on November 16, 1916, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (left) was born on November 18, 1847, in Damerau, Germany. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Frederick Henry Gehrmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Walter Scott Sterland married Ella Jane Blanchard on November 18, 1879. He was a Private in Company M who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

James Hill died in Wooster, Ohio, on November 18, 1906, and was buried in the Wooster Cemetery two days later. He was the First Sergeant of Company B who was a pack train escort and fought on the hilltop.

Thomas H. Rush, also known as Thomas Morton, was born on November 19, 1841, in Greenville, Ohio. He was a Sergeant in Company D who was at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory during the campaign due to illness.

William W. Lasley (left) was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, on November 19, 1842. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

Paul Friedrich Gottlief Schleiffarth died on November 19, 1896, at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the mouth of Rosebud Creek.

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.

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederick Deetline (left) died on December 13, 1910, in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company D who was in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in October 1878 for his actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and he received the appropriate MOH headstone 100 years later.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He survived the battle, but his brother-in-law, Donald McIntosh (right) did not.

Henry Holden served as a Private in Company D and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight. He died on December 14, 1905, in East Brighton, England, and was buried in the Brighton and Preston Cemetery there.

James P. Boyle was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1855. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle and was wounded in his back.

Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Felix Villiet Vinatieri (left), the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891, and was buried in the Yankton City Cemetery. The band was not present at the battle.

John Donahoe died on December 15, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Friedrich Braendle died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant with Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

John McKenna, who was also known as John Kenney, drowned in the Ohio River before December 16, 1888, when his body was found near Constance, Kentucky. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

American Horse (left)) died on December 16, 1908, in South Dakota, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He was an Oglala who fought against Reno and Custer during the battle.

Edward D. Pigford (right) died in Lock Three, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1932, and was buried in the Richland Cemetery in Dravosburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Myles Moylan (left) was born on December 17, 1838, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was the Captain of Company A and was in command of the company during the valley and hilltop fights. He later was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bear Paw Mountain.

George Loyd, who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Fort Riley, Kansas, on December 17, 1892, and is buried in the Post Cemetery. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Wounded Knee.

George B. Penwell (left) died on December 17, 1905, at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Schwerer died at the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 17, 1913, and was buried at the Wood National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James O’Neill died on December 17, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to illness.

James C. Blair was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 18, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the battle, charged with tending the company’s property and garden.

Michael P. Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18, 1883, and was buried in the California City Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company K who was wounded during the hilltop fight. Dr. Porter amputated his leg in the field.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James P. Boyle was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1855. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was wounded in his back.

Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Felix Villiet Vinatieri, the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891, and was buried in the Yankton City Cemetery. The band was not present at the battle.

John Donahoe died on December 15, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Friedrich Braendle died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant with Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

John McKenna, who was also known as John Kenney, drowned in the Ohio River before December 16, 1888, when his body was found near Constance, Kentucky. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

American Horse (Oglala) died on December 16, 1908, in South Dakota, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He fought against Reno and Custer during the battle.

Edward D. Pigford (left) died in Lock Three, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1932, and was buried in the Richland Cemetery in Dravosburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Myles Moylan (right) was born on December 17, 1838, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was the Captain of Company A and was in command of the company during the valley and hilltop fights. He later was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bear Paw Mountain.

George Loyd, who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Fort Riley, Kansas, on December 17, 1892, and is buried in the Post Cemetery. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Wounded Knee.

George B. Penwell (left) died on December 17, 1905, at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Schwerer died at the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 17, 1913, and was buried at the Wood National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James O’Neill died on December 17, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to illness.

James C. Blair was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 18, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service during the battle.

Michael P. Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18, 1883, and was buried in the California City Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company K who was wounded during the hilltop fight. Dr. Porter amputated his leg in the field.

William G. Hardy (left) was born on December 20, 1849, on Staten Island, New York. He was a bugler for Company A and fought in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Hiram Wallace Sager died in Spokane, Washington, on December 21, 1907, and was buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Gordon (left) died on December 21, 1935, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Swandale Cemetery in Mendon, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Copany K who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Samuel Ragsdale was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on December 9, 1850. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Charles A. Windolph (left) was born on December 9, 1851, in Bergen, Germany. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight, and he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Thomas Gordon (right) was born in Boston on December 9, 1853. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Bell (Benton) Weir died on Governors Island, New York, on December 9, 1876, less than six months after the battle. He was the Captain of Company D who participated in scouting and in the hilltop fight. He was originally buried on Governors Island but was moved to the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Martin Kilfoyle died on December 9, 1894, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company G who was on detached service during the battle.

Henry Jackson died in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on December 9, 1908, and is buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a First Lieutenant in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service.

John Sivertsen (left) was born on December 10, 1841, in Jensen, Norway. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He married Anna Olson in Douglas County, Wisconsin, on December 25, 1889.

Henry N. B. Witt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 10, 1852. He was a Private in Company K on detached service during the battle.

William J. Gregg (right) died on December 10, 1913, in Hampton, Virginia, and is buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Henry Gehrmann died on December 10, 1922, in Washington, D.C., and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service during the battle.

William Van Wyck Reily (left) was born on December 12, 1853, in Washington D.C. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company F who was killed during the battle on June 25, 1876, and was buried on August 3, 1877, in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

John Godfried Tritten died in Dayton, Ohio, on December 12, 1918. He was Saddler Sergeant on detached service during the battle.

Frederick Deetline (right) died on December 13, 1910, in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company D who was in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Francis Marion Gibson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He survived the battle, but his brother-in-law, Donald McIntosh, did not.

Henry Holden served as a Private in Company D and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight. He died on December 14, 1905, in East Brighton, England, and was buried in the Brighton and Preston Cemetery there.

James P. Boyle was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1855. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in his back.

Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Felix Villiet Vinatieri, the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891, and was buried in the Yankton City Cemetery. The band was not present at the battle.

John Donahoe died on December 15, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Braendle died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant with Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Sivertsen (right) was born on December 10, 1841, in Jensen, Norway. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He married Anna Olson in Douglas County, Wisconsin, on December 25, 1889, and they had a son the next year who was born in Duluth, Minnesota.

Henry N. B. Witt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 10, 1852. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

William J. Gregg (left) died on December 10, 1913, in Hampton, Virginia, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Henry Gehrmann died on December 10, 1922, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service during the battle.

William Van Wyck Reily was born on December 12, 1853, in Washington D.C. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company F who was killed during the battle on June 25, 1876, and was buried on August 3, 1877, in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

John Godfried Tritten died in Dayton, Ohio, on December 12, 1918. He was Saddler Sergeant on detached service during the battle.

Frederick Deetline (right) died on December 13, 1910, in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company D who was in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He survived the battle, but his brother-in-law, Donald McIntosh, did not.

Henry Holden served as a Private in Company D and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight. He died on December 14, 1905, in East Brighton, England, and was buried in the Brighton and Preston Cemetery there.

James P. Boyle was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1983. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in his back.

Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Felix Villiet Vinatieri, the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891, and was buried in the Yankton City Cemetery. The band was not present at the battle.

John Donahoe died on December 15, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Braendle  (right) died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant with Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

John McKenna, who was also known as John Kenney, drowned in the Ohio River before December 16, 1888, when his body was found near Constance, Kentucky. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edward D. Pigford (left) died in Lock Three, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1932, and was buried in the Richland Cemetery in Dravosburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

William Van Wyck Reily was born on December 12, 1853, in Washington D.C. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company F who was killed during the battle on June 25, 1876, and was buried on August 3, 1877, in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Other Seventh Cavalry anniversaries this week include:

  • John G. Tritten died in Dayton, Ohio, on December 12, 1918. He was on detached service during the battle.
  • Frederick Deetline died on December 13, 1910, in San Antonio, Texas, and is buried in the National Cemetery there.
  • Francis Marion Gibson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1847. He survived the battle, but his brother-in-law, Donald McIntosh, did not.
  • Henry Holden, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the hilltop fight, died on December 14, 1905, in East Brighton, England.
  • James P. Boyle was born in County Typrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1983.
  • Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C.
  • Felix Villiet Vinatieri, the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891. He was not present at the battle.
  • John Donahoe died on December 15, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and is buried in the National Cemetery there.
  • William Braendle died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and is buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery.
  • John McKenna drowned in the Ohio River before December 16, 1888, when his body was found near Constance, Kentucky.
  • Edward D. Pigford died in Lock Three, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1932. He fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.
  • Myles Moylan was born on December 17, 1838, in Amesbury, Massachusetts, and died on December 11, 1909, in San Diego, California.
  • George Loyd, who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Fort Riley, Kansas, on December 17, 1892, and is buried in the Post Cemetery.
  • George B. Penwell died on December 17, 1905, at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery there.
  • John Schwerer died at the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 17, 1913, and was buried at the Wood National Cemetery.
  • James O’Neill died on December 17, 1931, in Sawtelle, California. He was not present at the battle due to illness.
  • James C. Blair was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 18, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service during the battle.
  • Michael P. Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18. 1883. He was wounded during the hilltop fight, and Dr. Porter amputated his leg in the field.