This Week in Little Bighorn History

Cornelius Cowley died on August 6, 1908, in Washington, D.C., at the Government Hospital for the Insane (now St. Elizabeth’s Hospital). He was buried in St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as Cornelius Cawley on August 10, 1908. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Daniel Mahoney died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on August 7, 1885, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Joseph H. Green was born on August 8, 1849, in Leitrim, Ireland. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

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

 Edward Davern died on August 10, 1896, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Virginia. He was a Private in Company F who served as an orderly for Major Reno. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Philipp Spinner shot himself through his heart at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1895, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

White Swan (left) died on the Crow Agency in Montana on August 12, 1904, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was an Indian Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, died on August 12, 1911, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was buried in the Nashville National

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Othniel Taylor (right) died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Garlington (left) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was a Second Lieutenant assigned to the Seventh Cavalry, but he was not present at the battle because he was on leave after graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan (left) died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service as the aide-de-camp for his brother, General Philip Henry Sheridan. In June 1877, Michael Sheridan was in charge of the detachment that exhumed the remains of the officers from the battlefield.

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service guarding Custer’s luggage aboard the steamer Far West.

William Gavin Capes (right) was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John Francis Donohue (left) was born on February 22, 1853, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Private in Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Millard Caldwell (right) was born on February 22, 1857, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Andrew Humes Nave (left) was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 23, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company I, but he was not present at the battle due to illness.

Jan Mollar, who was also known as James Moller, died on February 23, 1928, in Deadwood, South Dakota, and was buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

George Arthur Rudolph was born in Meuterheim, Germany, on February 24, 1854. He was a Private in the Band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Louis Haak died on February 24, 1902, at the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in its National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Joseph Greene Tilford (left) died in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 1911, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Major who was not present at the battle; he was absent with leave in Europe.

 John Joseph Hackett died on February 25, 1904, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, of heart disease and was buried in the cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who served as an orderly for Lt. George Wallace and was wounded in his left arm while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Richard Bernard Dorn was born on February 12, 1853, in Bronson, Michigan. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and was killed in the hilltop fight on June 26, 1876, while waking Capt. Thomas Mower McDougall (right).

Michael Delaney died on February 12, 1884, in Olney, Illinois, and was buried in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Jean Baptiste Desire Gallenne (left) died in Washington, D.C., on February 12, 1911, and was buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Emil Taube (right) died on February 12, 1917, in Eddy, Texas, and was buried in the Shiloh Cemetery in Bell County, Texas. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (left) died in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, on February 12, 1932, and was buried in the Livermore Cemetery in Derry, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded in his right arm.

Eduard Gustaf Delliehausen, who was also known as Edward Housen and Edward Hanson, was born on February 14, 1848, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was killed on June 26, 1876, during the hilltop fight of the battle.

John Valentine Whisten was born on February 14, 1852, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Elijah Thomas Strode died on February 14, 1881, in Miller’s Saloon in Sturgis City, Dakota Territory. He was fatally shot by Private Thomas J. Whalen and buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

On February 14, 1882, Edwin Philip Eckerson married Sophie M. Bergsland in Hays, Kansas. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L. At the time of the battle, he was enroute to join the 7th and was not yet at the battlefield.

Charles Kavanaugh died in Washington, D.C., on February 14, 1886, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Henry Bischoff died on February 14, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried there in the Loudon Park Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Julius Griesner died on February 15, 1882, and was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in the Band, which remained at Powder River, Montana.

John Muering died in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on February 15, 1902, and was buried in the Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. He was the Saddler for Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service with General Terry.

Theodore Goldin (left) died on February 15, 1935, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions under fire.

Frank Joseph Geist (right) was born on February 16, 1856, in Wurtzburg, Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Adolph Stein was born on February 17, 1841, in Prussia Germany. He was a Veterinary Surgeon who was on detached service at the Powder River Depot, Montana.

George Edwin Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John A. Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869, and he did not remarry until 1894. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. Rafter married Mary A. Madden on February 17, 1877. She was the widow of his friend, Private Robert H. Hughes (left) who was killed in the Deep Ravine. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle because he was confined as a result of a general court martial.

William Othniel Taylor (left) was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Gibbs died on February 18, 1934, in Napa, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, California. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Daniel Mahoney died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on August 7, 1885, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Joseph H. Green was born on August 8, 1849, in Leitrim, Ireland. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edmund Henry Burke was born in Manchester, England, on August 10, 1843. He was the son of Pat and Mary Crahen Burke. He was a Blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edward Davern died on August 10, 1896, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Virginia. He was a Private in Company F who served as an orderly for Major Reno. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Philipp Spinner died at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1895, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

White Swan (left) died on the Crow Agency in Montana on August 12, 1904, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was an Indian Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, died on August 12, 1911, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Roman Rutten (who was also known as Roman Ruttenauer, Rutler, Rullin, and Bolten) was born on August 13, 1846, in Baden, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Morris Cain died in Colville, Washington, on August 13, 1906. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Carmody died of cancer on August 13, 1912, in New York City and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens. 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

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Garlington (left) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was a Second Lieutenant assigned to the Seventh Cavalry, but he was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was on leave after graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan (left) died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service as the aide-de-camp for his brother, General Philip Henry Sheridan. In June 1877, Michael Sheridan was in charge of the detachment that exhumed the remains of the officers from the battlefield.

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service guarding Custer’s luggage aboard the steamer Far West.

William Gavin Capes (right) was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John Francis Donohue (left) was born on February 22, 1853, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Private in Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Millard Caldwell (right) was born on February 22, 1857, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Andrew Humes Nave (left) was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 23, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company I, but he was not present at the battle due to illness.

Jan Mollar, who was also known as James Moller, died on February 23, 1928, in Deadwood, South Dakota, and was buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

George Arthur Rudolph was born in Meuterheim, Germany, on February 24, 1854. He was a Private in the Band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Louis Haak died on February 24, 1902, at the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in its National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Joseph Greene Tilford (left) died in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 1911, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Major who was not present at the battle; he was absent with leave in Europe.

 John Joseph Hackett died on February 25, 1904, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, of heart disease and was buried in the cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who served as an orderly for Lt. George Wallace and was wounded in his left arm while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

George Walter Yates (left) was born on February 26, 1843, in Albany, New York. He was the Captain of Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Andrew J. Moore was born in New Egypt, New Jersey, on February 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. While on Reno Hill, he received a gunshot wound in his spine and died the same day, June 26, 1876.

Joseph K. Ricketts died on February 26, 1909, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the Green Castle Cemetery there. He was a wagoner in Company M, but he was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Charles Albert Varnum (left) died on February 26, 1936, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company A. He commanded the scouts during the battle, fought in the valley and hilltop fights, and was wounded in his leg.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Happy Valentine’s Week!

Eduard Gustaf Delliehausen, who was also known as Edward Housen and Edward Hanson, was born on February 14, 1848, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was killed on June 26, 1876, during the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John Valentine Whisten was born on February 14, 1852, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Elijah Thomas Strode died on February 14, 1881, in Miller’s Saloon in Sturgis City, Dakota Territory. He was fatally shot by Private Thomas J. Whalen and buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

On February 14, 1882, Edwin Philip Eckerson married Sophie M. Bergsland in Hays, Kansas. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L. At the time of the battle, he was enroute to join the 7th and was not yet at the battlefield.

Charles Kavanaugh died in Washington, D.C., on February 14, 1886, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Henry Bischoff died on February 14, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried there in the Loudon Park Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Julius Griesner died on February 15, 1882, and was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in the Band, which remained at Powder River, Montana.

John Muering died in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on February 15, 1902, and was buried in the Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. He was the Saddler for Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service with General Terry.

Theodore Goldin (left) died on February 15, 1935, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions under fire.

Frank Joseph Geist (right) was born on February 16, 1856, in Wurtzburg, Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Adolph Stein was born on February 17, 1841, in Prussia Germany. He was a Veterinary Surgeon who was on detached service at the Powder River Depot, Montana.

George Edwin Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John A. Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869, and he did not remarry until 1894. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. Rafter married Mary A. Madden on February 17, 1877. She was the widow of his friend, Private Robert H. Hughes (left) who was killed in the Deep Ravine. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle because he was confined as a result of a general court martial.

William Othniel Taylor (left) was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died the day after his 68th birthday (see below).

William Gibbs died on February 18, 1934, in Napa, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, California. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Othniel Taylor died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Joseph H. Green was born on August 8, 1849, in Leitrim, Ireland. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edmund Henry Burke was born in Manchester, England, on August 10, 1843. He was the son of Pat and Mary Crahen Burke. He was a Blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edward Davern died on August 10, 1896, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Virginia. He was a Private in Company F who served as an orderly for Major Reno. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Philipp Spinner died at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1895, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

White Swan (left) died on the Crow Agency in Montana on August 12, 1904, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was an Indian Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, died on August 12, 1911, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Roman Rutten (who was also known as Roman Ruttenauer, Rutler, Rullin, and Bolten) was born on August 13, 1846, in Baden, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Morris Cain died in Colville, Washington, on August 13, 1906. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Carmody died of cancer on August 13, 1912, in New York City and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Fred E. Allan, who was also known as Alfred Ernest Allen, was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, on August 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company C who was killed while fighting with Custer’s column.

Charles H. Houghtaling died on August 14, 1881, at Fort Lewis, Colorado, and was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there. He was later reinterred at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on February 21, 1845. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ackerman married Ephresina Peterson on February 21, 1881, at Fort Totten. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Michael Vincent Sheridan died on February 21, 1918, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Captain in Company L who was not present due to detached service as the aide-de-camp for his brother, General Philip Henry Sheridan. In June 1877, Michael Sheridan was in charge of the detachment that exhumed the remains of the officers from the battlefield.

Dennis Lynch (left) was born on February 22, 1848, in Cumberland, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was not at the battle due to detached service guarding Custer’s luggage aboard the steamer Far West.

William Gavin Capes (right) was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

William Millard Caldwell was born on February 22, 1857, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Andrew Humes Nave (left) was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 23, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company I, but he was not present at the battle due to illness.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, died on February 23, 1928, in Deadwood, South Dakota, and was buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

George A. Rudolph was born in Meuterheim, Germany, on February 24, 1854. He was a Private in the Band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Louis Haak died on February 24, 1902, at the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in its National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Joseph Greene Tilford (left) died in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 1911, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Major who was not present at the battle; he was absent with leave in Europe.

 John Hackett died on February 25, 1904, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, of heart disease and was buried in the cemetery there. He was in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded in his left arm.

George Walter Yates (left) was born on February 26, 1843, in Albany, New York. He was the Captain of Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Andrew J. Moore was born in New Egypt, New Jersey, on February 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company G who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. While on Reno Hill, he received a gunshot wound in his spine and died the same day, June 26, 1876.

Charles Albert Varnum (left) died on February 26, 1936, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company A. He commanded the scouts during the battle, fought in the valley and hilltop fights, and was wounded in his leg.

John Gardner was born on February 27, 1845, in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. He was a Private in Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Joseph K. Ricketts died on February 26, 1909, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the Green Castle Cemetery there. He was a wagoner in Company M, but he was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Augustus Louis DeVoto was born in Genoa, Italy, on February 27, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Lewis Merrill (left) died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 27, 1896, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was an 1855 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, but Major Merrill was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Jacob Hetler (left) died on February 27, 1944, in Greenwich, Ohio, and was buried in the Adario Cemetery in Adario, Ohio. He was a Private with Company D who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Happy Valentine’s Day

Edward Housen was born on February 14, 1848, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was killed on June 26, 1876, during the hilltop fight at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John Valentine Whisten was born on February 14, 1852, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Elijah T. Strode died on February 14, 1881, in Miller’s Saloon in Sturgis City, Dakota Territory. He was fatally shot by Private Thomas J. Whalen and buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

On February 14, 1882, Edwin Philip Eckerson married Sophie M. Bergsland in Hays, Kansas. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L, but he was not present at the battle because he was enroute.

Charles Kavanaugh died in Washington, D.C., on February 14, 1886, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Henry Bischoff died on February 14, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried there in the Loudon Park Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Julius Griesner died on February 15, 1882, and was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in the Band, which remained at Powder River.

John Muering died in Fort Wayne, Michigan, on February 15, 1902, and was buried in the Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit. He was the Saddler for Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service with General Terry.

Theodore Goldin (left) died on February 15, 1935, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions under fire.

Frank J. Geist was born on February 16, 1856, in Wurtzburg, Bavaria. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana, with the regimental band.

George Edwin Lord (left) was born on February 17, 1846, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the Assistant Surgeon for the Seventh who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John A. Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869, and he did not remarry until 1894. He was a Saddler with Company B who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John J. Rafter married Mary Madden on February 17, 1877. She was the widow of his friend, Private Robert H. Hughes (right) who was killed in the Deep Ravine. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Eaton Graham died on February 17, 1907, in Columbus, Ohio, and was buried in the Dayton National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 David W. Lewis was born on February 18, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle because he was confined as a result of a general court martial.

William Othniel Taylor (left) was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, on February 18, 1855. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He died the day after his 68th birthday (see below).

William Gibbs died on February 18, 1934, in Napa, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, California. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Alexander Brown (left) was born on February 19, 1844, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a Sergeant in Company G and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William Othniel Taylor died in Orange, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1923, and was buried in the Central Cemetery there.

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Garlington (right) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was a Second Lieutenant assigned to the Seventh Cavalry, but he was not present because he was on leave after graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Edmund Henry Burke was born in Manchester, England, on August 10, 1842. He was the son of Pat and Mary Crahen Burke. He was a Blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He married Mary Ann Collins in 1877 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and they lived in Frederika, Iowa, from about 1880 until Mary Ann’s death in 1912. He later lived in Bremer, Iowa, and Sumner, Iowa, where he died in 1925.

Edward Davern died on August 10, 1896, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Virginia. He was a Private in Company F who served as an orderly for Major Reno. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Philipp Spinner died at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1895, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

White Swan (left) died on the Crow Agency in Montana on August 12, 1904, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was an Indian Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded.

Thomas Hughes, who was also known as Charlie Hughes, died on August 12, 1911, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Roman Rutten (who was also known as Roman Ruttenauer, Rutler, Rullin, and Bolten) was born on August 13, 1846, in Baden, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Morris Cain died in Colville, Washington, on August 13, 1906. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Carmody died of cancer on August 13, 1912, in New York City and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Fred E. Allan, who was also known as Alfred Ernest Allen, was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, on August 14, 1847. He was a Private in Company C who was killed while fighting with Custer’s column.

Charles H. Houghtaling died on August 14, 1881, at Fort Lewis, Colorado, and was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there. He was later reinterred at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Hill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 15, 1826 or 1833. He was the First Sergeant in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.