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 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

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 at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

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.

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 a 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.

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.

October 26: Happy Thanksgiving to readers in the USA!

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.

George B. Herendeen was born on November 28, 1846, in Parkman Township, Geauga County, Ohio. He was a civilian scout who participated in the battle in the timber and on the hilltop. According to historian Gregory Michno, Herendeen was largely responsible for assertions of Marcus Reno‘s cowardice.

John R. Steinker committed suicide by poisoning on November 28, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was originally buried in the cemetery there. He was later reinterred at Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Farrier with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn.

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 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. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank J. Geist died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 20, 1918, and was buried in Lakewood Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who, despite what his obituary says, was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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.

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 Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

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 with 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.

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. Crisfield (left) was also a Private in L Company who was killed with Custer’s Column.

George Blunt (right) died on November 23, 1905, at the Joyce Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. His death was ruled a suicide by gas asphyxiation. He was buried in the Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore. 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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn.

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. He was the First Sergeant of Company B who was a pack train escort and fought on the hilltop.

Thomas H. Rush, who was 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 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. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank J. Geist died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 20, 1918, and was buried in Lakewood Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who, despite what his obituary says, was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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.

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 Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

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.

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.

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.

George Blunt (left) died on November 23, 1905, at the Joyce Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. His death was ruled a suicide by gas asphyxiation. He was buried in the Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore. 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.

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas H. Rush, who was 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 Lincoln 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 Schleiffarth died on November 19, 1896, at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn 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. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank J. Geist 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.

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.

Stephen Cowley (right) 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 Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

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.

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.

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.

George Blunt died on November 23, 1905, at the Joyce Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. His death was ruled a suicide by gas asphyxiation. He was buried in the Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore. 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.

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.

 

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Stephen Cowley died on November 21, 1886. He was a Private in Company D who was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot during the battle.

Stephen Cowley was born in Sligo County, Ireland, his father was Michael Cowley, a butcher. He married Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871 in County Mayo, Ireland. He immigrated in the Spring of 1871 to the United States and immediately registered in the United States Army for the Civil and Indian Wars. He served with General Custer in Company B which was assigned the responsibility of guarding the pack train. His service continued and he was discharged from the Cavalry on September 10, 1882 at Fort Totten, North Dakota. . . .

Stephen and Bridget had 5 children, one son, Ambrose died at 5 months, those who survived are James Joseph, Stephen Joseph, Michael Joseph and Sadie Mary. Stephen died in November 1886 at Larimore, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. He is buried in the Bellevue Cemetery there. [Findagrave.com]

Other Seventh Cavalry anniversaries this week include:

  • Alexander Bishop was born on November 22, 1853, in Brooklyn, New York.
  • George Gaffney died in Washington, D.C., on November 22, 1916.
  • Charles Braden was born on November 23, 1847, in Detroit.
  • William Slaper was born on November 23, 1854, in Cincinnati.
  • George Blunt died on November 23, 1905, at the Joyce Hotel in Baltimore.
  • Augustus DeVoto died on November 23, 1923, in Tacoma, Washington.
  • Charles A. Campbell died on November 25, 1920, in Bismarck, North Dakota.
  • Joseph Tilford was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, on November 26, 1828.
  • William Morris died in New York City on November 26, 1933.
  • Hiram Sager was born on November 27, 1850, in Westport, New York.
  • The Battle on the Washita was on November 27, 1868. See the books below for more about this infamous battle.