Holmstead – Little Bighorn History

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

John E. Hammon (left) was born in Lynchburg, Ohio, on December 4, 1857. He was a Corporal in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John McCabe died on December 4, 1891, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

George Arthur Rudolph died on December 4, 1924, in Eddyville, New York, and was buried in Saint Peters Cemetery in Rosendale, Ulster County, New York. He was a Private in the Band, so he was on detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Henry Bishop died in East St. Louis, Illinois, on December 4, 1929, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Fairview Heights, St. Clair County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

John Samuel Ragsdale died on December 4, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

George Armstrong Custer (left) was born on December 5, 1839, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was an 1861 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was in command during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Isaac Fowler (right) of Company C died on December 5, 1881, in Union City, Indiana, and was buried in the Union City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Martin McCue died on December 6, 1923, at Barnes Hospital 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.

Henry August Lange was born in Hanover, Germany, on December 7, 1851. He was a Private in Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Ephraim Morris (left) married Sarah Angela Kench on December 7, 1879. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during which he was wounded.

Andrew Humes Nave (right) died on December 7, 1924, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was buried in Highland Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company I who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Frederick Holmstead was born on December 9, 1849, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

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 due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

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. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

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

Thomas Benton Weir (right) 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.

Jean Baptist Desire Gallenne (left) married Josephine Joly on December 9, 1878, in Greta, Louisiana. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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

Henry Jackson (left) 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 in Washington, D.C.

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.

Henry Nicholaus Peter Witt was born in Heide, Denmark, on December 10, 1852. He was a Private in Company K on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

William J. Gregg (left) 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 in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

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.

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.

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

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.

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

Henry Allen Bailey 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.

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 was born on March 28, 1856, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

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 in command of a battalion during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Henry Davenport died in Flushing, New York, on March 30, 1934. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. 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 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.

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.

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. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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

William Henry Davenport died in Flushing, New York, on March 30, 1934. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

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 and buried on Last Stand Hill.

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 C. Williams 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 A. Fox died in Warm Springs, Montana, on March 28, 1913. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Marcus Albert Reno (left) died on March 30, 1889, in Washington, D.C. He was originally buried there in Mount Olivet Cemetery but was later reinterred at Custer National Cemetery in Montana.

William Henry Davenport died in Flushing, New York, on March 30, 1934. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Marcus Henry Kellogg was born on March 31, 1833, in Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was a civilian newspaper correspondent who was killed with Custer’s column.

John Dolan, who was also known as Thomas Brown, died at Fort Myer, Virginia, on March 31, 1922, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was not present at the battle.

James W. Butler was born on April 1, 1844, in Riverton, New Jersey. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Philip McHugh died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1910, and was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company L who 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 a graduate of the United States Military academy at West Point who was the First Lieutenant for Company K. He commanded that company during scouting and the hilltop fight.