Tag: Gannon

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Samuel Davis Sturgis (left) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford (left) was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. According to the April 1910 federal census, he was working as an office clerk, and he and his wife Sarah had been married for just one year. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger (left) was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was at Powder River, Montana, during the battle. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River camp.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day was lynched for arson in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

George Anderson was born on June 14, 1841, in St. Catherines, Canada. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle because he was a laborer for the quartermaster department at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

Alexander Downing (left) married Ida Martha Conway in Miami County, Ohio, on June 14, 1882. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

John Samuel Ragsdale married Vena Bells Owens on June 14, 1926, in Richmond, Indiana, but they divorced after 1940. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Christopher Pendle (left) was born on June 15, 1849, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to serving as a hospital nurse on the Far West.

James O’Neill was born in Liverpool, England, on June 15, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Charles Windolph (right), who was also known as Charles Wrangel, married his first wife, Mary Jones, on June 15, 1882. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his service during the battle. 

George B. Herendeen (left) died on June 17, 1919, in Havre, Montana, and was buried in Harlem Cemetery in Harlem, Montana. He was a Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Ferdinand Augustus Culbertson (left) was born on March 26, 1845, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Aaron Lee Woods died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 1902, and was buried there in Mount Moriah Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Holmstead died on March 27, 1880, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during which he was wounded.

Thomas Henry French (left) died on March 27, 1882, at Planters House, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was originally buried in the National Cemetery there. He was exhumed on March 4, 1891, and reinterred in Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Nathan T. Brown was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He died in battle against the Nez Perce on September 13, 1877 at Canyon Creek, Montana, and was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine in Montana. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

Peter Gannon was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana. He died at Fort Assinniboine in Montana on June 12, 1886, and was originally buried there. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

George Anderson married Louisa Kiesel on March 27, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to daily duties as a laborer in the quartermaster department at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

William Carson Williams, Jr. (left) was born on March 28, 1856, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles Theodore Wiedman married Charlotte Simpson on March 28, 1912. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Harvey Alexander Fox (left) died in Warm Springs, Montana, on March 28, 1913, and was buried next to Scout William Jackson in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River with the wagon train.

Marcus Albert Reno (left) died on March 30, 1889, in Washington, D.C. He was originally buried there in Greenwood Cemetery but was later reinterred at Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was a Major at the time of the battle and was in command of a battalion during the valley and hilltop fights.

Marcus Henry Kellogg (left) was born on March 31, 1833, in Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was a civilian newspaper correspondent who was killed with Custer’s column during the battle and buried on Last Stand Hill.

John Dolan (right) died at Fort Myer, Virginia, on March 31, 1922. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on April 3, 1922. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service aboard the steamer Far West.

James W. Butler was born on April 1, 1844, in Limerick, Ireland. He stated he was born in Riverton, New Jersey, when he enlisted, but both his pension application and his death certificate listed Limerick, Ireland. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He later claimed he was at Powder River, but records indicate he was at Fort Lincoln.

Philip McHugh died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1910, and was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery there. His gravestone has March 31 as his date of death, but all references state April 1. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) died in Cookstown, New Jersey, on April 1, 1932, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was an 1863 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was the First Lieutenant for Company K, which he commanded during scouting and the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Peter Eixenberger (left) was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was at Powder River, Montana, when the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River camp.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day was lynched for arson in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

George Anderson was born on June 14, 1841, in St. Catherines, Canada. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle because he was a laborer for the quartermaster department at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

Alexander Downing (left) married Ida Martha Conway in Miami County, Ohio, on June 14, 1882. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

John Samuel Ragsdale married Vena Bell Owen on June 14, 1926, in Richmond, Indiana, but they divorced after 1940. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Christopher Pendle  (left) was born on June 15, 1849, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to serving as a hospital attendant in the field.

James O’Neill was born in Liverpool, England, on June 15, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Charles Windolph (right), who was also known as Charles Wrangel, married his first wife, Mary Jones, on June 15, 1882. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his service during the battle. 

George B. Herendeen (left) died on June 17, 1919, in Havre, Montana, and was buried in Harlem Cemetery in Harlem, Montana. He was a Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Henry James Nowlan (right) was born on June 18, 1837, on the Corfu Ionian Islands. He was a First Lieutenant with the Quartermaster who was not present at the battle due to serving as the assistant quartermaster for Gen. Terry’s expedition.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederick Holmstead died on March 27, 1880, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights in the Battle of the Little Bighorn during which he was wounded.

Thomas Henry French (left) died on March 27, 1882, at Planters House, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was originally buried in the National Cemetery there. He was exhumed on March 4, 1891, and reinterred in Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Nathan T. Brown was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He died in battle against the Nez Perce in September 1877 at Canyon Creek, Montana, and was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine in Montana. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

Petter Gannon was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana. He died at Fort Assinniboine in Montana in June 1886, and was originally buried there. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

George Anderson married Louisa Kiesel on March 27, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to daily duties as a laborer in the quartermaster department at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

William Carson Williams, Jr. (left) was born on March 28, 1856, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles Theodore Wiedman married Charlotte Simpson on March 28, 1912. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Harvey Alexander Fox (left) died in Warm Springs, Montana, on March 28, 1913, and was buried next to Scout William Jackson in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who was not at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, guarding the wagon train.

Marcus Albert Reno (left) died on March 30, 1889, in Washington, D.C. He was originally buried there in Greenwood Cemetery but was later reinterred at Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was a Major at the time of the battle and was in command of a battalion during the valley and hilltop fights.

Marcus Henry Kellogg (left) was born on March 31, 1833, in Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was a civilian newspaper correspondent who was killed with Custer’s column during the battle and buried on Last Stand Hill.

John Dolan (right) died at Fort Myer, Virginia, on March 31, 1922. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on April 3, 1922. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service aboard the steamer Far West.

James W. Butler was born on April 1, 1844, in Limerick, Ireland. He stated he was born in Riverton, New Jersey, when he enlisted, but both his pension application and his death certificate listed Limerick, Ireland. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He later claimed he was at Powder River, but records indicate he was at Fort Lincoln.

Philip McHugh died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1910, and was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery there. His gravestone has March 31 as his date of death, but all references state April 1. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) died in Cookstown, New Jersey, on April 1, 1932, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was an 1863 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was the First Lieutenant for Company K, which he commanded during scouting and the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Note: New information is in bold.

Michael John Walsh was born in Ireland on June 6, 1852. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was under arrest in Louisiana following his desertion.

William M. Harris, a Medal of Honor recipient, died on June 6, 1885, in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, during a gunfight. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was buried in the Ballard/Jarman Cemetery in Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, and was later moved to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Strikes the Bear (left) died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929, and was buried as Red Star in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states his death date as May 12, 1929, but the June date appears to be the accepted date among researchers. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out (Matokianapa), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died in a drunken brawl, according to Fred Girard, on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service. He was most likely in the hospital at Fort Abraham Lincoln, but he later claimed to have been guarding the wagon train at the Powder River camp.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left)was born on June 9, 1844, in New York City. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Elmer Babcock (left) was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford (left) was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger (left) was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was at Powder River, Montana, when the battle took place.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River camp.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Denis Kerr died on March 21, 1890, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, tending the company garden at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

James Wynn died at Fort Yates, North Dakota, on March 21, 1892, and was buried in the Post Cemetery there. He later was interred in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Patrick C. White, who was also known Patrick Connelly, was born on March 22, 1844, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded on his left shoulder during the hilltop fight of the battle.

Thomas F. O’Neill (left) died on March 22, 1914, in Riverdale, Maryland, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Walter Hoyt died in Middleborough, Kentucky, on March 23, 1893. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, at the time of the battle.

Samuel Alcott died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 24, 1926, and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company A who was on detached service at the Powder River Depot at the time of the battle.

Myles Walter Keogh (left) was born on March 25, 1840, in County Carlow, Ireland. He was a Captain in command of Company I when he was killed with Custer’s Column. His horse Comanche became famous as the “Sole Survivor” of Custer’s Column. For more about Keogh and his life in Ireland, see the articles by the late Elisabeth Kimber.

Henry Allen Bailey (left) was born in Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island, on March 25, 1852. He was the blacksmith for Company I and was killed with Custer’s Column. He was buried at Last Stand Hill.

Thomas Murphy died on March 25, 1909, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Ferdinand A. Culbertson was born on March 26, 1845, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Aaron Lee Woods died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 1902, and was buried there in Mount Moriah Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Holmstead died on March 27, 1880, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during which he was wounded.

Thomas Henry French (left) died on March 27, 1882, at Planters House, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was originally buried in the National Cemetery there. He was exhumed on March 4, 1891, and reinterred in Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Nathan T. Brown was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He died in battle against the Nez Perce in 1877 and was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine in Montana. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

Petter Gannon was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He died at Fort Assinniboine in 1886 and was originally buried there. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

George Anderson married Louisa Kiesel on March 27, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to daily duties as a laborer in the quartermaster department at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Strikes the Bear (left) died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929, and was buried as Red Star in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states his death date as May 12, 1929, but the June date appears to be the accepted date among researchers. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out (Matokianapa), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died in a drunken brawl, according to Fred Girard, on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service.

Michael C. Caddle was born on June 9, 1844, in New York City. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Elmer Babcock (left) was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford (left) was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day died in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Patrick C. White, who was also known Patrick Connelly, was born on March 22, 1844, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded on his left shoulder during the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Thomas F. O’Neill (left) died on March 22, 1914, in Riverdale, Maryland, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Walter Hoyt died in Middleborough, Kentucky, on March 23, 1903. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Samuel Alcott died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 24, 1926, and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company A who was on detached service at the Powder River Depot at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Myles Walter Keogh (left) was born on March 25, 1840, in County Carlow, Ireland. He was a Captain in command of Company I when he was killed with Custer’s Column. His horse Comanche became famous as the “Sole Survivor” of Custer’s Column. For more about Keogh and his life in Ireland, see the articles by the late Elisabeth Kimber.

Henry Allen Bailey (right) was born in Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island, on March 25, 1852. He was the blacksmith for Company I and was killed with Custer’s Column. He was buried at Last Stand Hill.

Thomas Murphy died on March 25, 1909, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Ferdinand A. Culbertson was born on March 26, 1845, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Aaron Lee Woods died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 1902, and was buried there in Mount Moriah Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Holmstead died on March 27, 1880, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during which he was wounded.

Thomas Henry French (left) died on March 27, 1882, at Planters House, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was originally buried in the National Cemetery there. He was exhumed on March 4, 1891, and reinterred in Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Nathan T. Brown was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He died in battle against the Nez Perce in 1877 and was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine in Montana. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

Petter Gannon was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He died at Fort Assinniboine in 1886 and was originally buried there. He was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on March 27, 1905.

George Anderson married Louisa Kiesel on March 27, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Carson Williams (left) was born on March 28, 1856, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Harvey Alexander Fox died in Warm Springs, Montana, on March 28, 1913, and was buried next to Scout William Jackson in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Michael C. Caddle was born on June 9, 1844, in Dublin, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Elmer Babcock was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (left) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day died in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anderson was born on June 14, 1841, in St. Catherines, Canada. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Samuel Ragsdale married Verna Bell Owen on June 14, 1926, but they divorced after 1940. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Christopher Pendle  (left) was born on June 15, 1849, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James O’Neill was born in Liverpool, England, on June 15, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles Windolph, who was also known as Charles Wrangel, married Mary Jones on June 15, 1882. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his service during the battle. 

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Elmer Babcock was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (left) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri, at the time. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band; therefore, he was not present at the battle.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day died in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anderson was born on June 14, 1841, in St. Catherines, Canada. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Samuel Ragsdale married Verna Bell Owen on June 14, 1926, but they divorced after 1940. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Christopher Pendle  (left) was born on June 15, 1849, in Bavaria, Germany, and died on June 4, 1923, in Gardenville, Washington. His remains were cremated, and it is not known where they were dispersed. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James O’Neill was born in Liverpool, England, on June 15, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles Windolph, who was also known as Charles Wrangel, married Mary Jones on June 15, 1882. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his service during the battle.