This Week in Little Bighorn History

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

Michael Peter Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18, 1883, and was buried in the California City Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company K who was wounded during the hilltop fight while getting water for the wounded, but he was not awarded a Medal of Honor for his actions. Dr. Henry Porter (right) amputated his leg in the field.

William Henry Davenport died on December 18, 1904, in Missoula, Montana, and was buried at the Missoula Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

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

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

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

Luther Rector Hare (left) died on December 22, 1929, of throat cancer in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on December 26, 1929. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Johann Michael Vetter was born in Hessen, Germany, on December 23, 1853. He was a Private in Company L who was killed during the battle.

Joseph Carroll died on December 23, 1904, in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in the Band so he was not present at the battle.

John James Carey died in Benton City, Washington, on December 23, 1929, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Martin Personeus, who also used the alias Michael Conlan, died in Carlinsville, Illinois, on December 24, 1889. He was a Private in Company L who was on detached service tending the garden at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the Little Bighorn campaign.

Giovanni Martini (left) died on December 24, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company H who brought the famous “be quick” note to Benteen.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

The Battle on the Washita was on November 27, 1868.

Morris Hedding Thompson (left) 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 (left) 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 Gregory Michno, Herendeen was largely responsible for assertions of Marcus Reno‘s cowardice:

Of all the witnesses called [at the Reno Court of Inquiry], only two were critical of Reno’s conduct in the valley. Civilian interpreter Frederic F. Girard, whom Reno had once fired, said he thought Reno could have held out in the timber as long as the ammunition lasted. (Left unsaid was that at the rate they had been firing, that would not likely have been more than another half-hour.) Civilian scout George Herendeen also disliked Reno. He said that when Bloody Knife was killed and another soldier hit, “Reno gave the order to dismount, and the soldiers had just struck the ground when he gave the order to mount, and then everything left the timber on a run.” Herendeen said the incident “demoralized him [Reno] a good deal,” but when pressed by court recorder Lieutenant Jesse M. Lee, Herendeen stated, “I am not saying that he is a coward at all.”

. . . An examination of the court record shows that 20 of the 23 eyewitnesses who testified to Reno’s conduct had neutral or favorable observations. Only three were unfavorable—and none of those damning. Yet scarcely mentioned is [Dr. Henry] Porter’s account of Reno’s statement, “We have got to get out of here—we have got to charge them!” Instead, Herendeen’s claim that Reno ordered a dismount and an immediate mount appears often in print. It seems incredible. One man claims Reno issued conflicting orders while extracting his command from a desperate situation, and it snowballs into an avalanche of cowardice and treachery.

Misrepresented ‘Monster’ Major Marcus Reno” by Gregory Michno

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.

Henry Petring (left) was born in Germany on November 29, 1853. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in an eye and hip.

James Ballard Pym was murdered on November 29, 1893, in Miles City, Montana, and was buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight where he was wounded in the right ankle. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

John Noonan committed suicide on November 30, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the 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 Corporal in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana, where he was charged with guarding the cattle herd.

Thomas W. Coleman died in Sawtelle, California, on November 30, 1921, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William G. Abrams was born on December 1, 1840, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Henry Edward Haack was born in York County, Pennsylvania, on December 3, 1838. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

William H. Baker was born on December 3, 1848, in Golconda, Illinois. He was a Private in Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column during the battle.

Thomas James Stowers, (left) who claimed to be a Sole Survivor of the battle, was born on December 3, 1848, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Frank Berwald (right) was born on December 3, 1852, in Posen, Poland. He was a Private in Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Frank Volkenstine, who was also known as Frank Bowers, died on December 3, 1919, in Detroit, Michigan. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle because he had been dishonorably discharged on May 31, 1876, in Fort Wayne, Michigan.

John Francis Donohue (left in 1921) died in Butte, Montana, on December 3, 1924, and was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in that city. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Peter Thompson (right) died on December 3, 1928, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in the Masonic Section of West Cemetery, in Lead, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company C who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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

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

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

Luther Rector Hare (left) died on December 22, 1929, of throat cancer in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on December 26, 1929. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Johann Michael Vetter was born in Hessen, Germany, on December 23, 1853. He was a Private in Company L who was killed during the battle.

Joseph Carroll died on December 23, 1904, in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in the Band so he was not present at the battle.

John James Carey died in Benton City, Washington, on December 23, 1929, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Martin Personeus, who also used the alias Michael Conlan, died in Carlinsville, Illinois, on December 24, 1889. He was a Private in Company L who was on detached service tending the garden at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the Little Bighorn campaign.

Giovanni Martini (left) died on December 24, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company H who brought the famous “be quick” note to Benteen.

Merry Christmas!

Thomas W. Coleman was born on December 25, 1850, in Troy, New York. He was a Private in Company B who with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin B. Wight was born in Casco, Maine, on December 25, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was married on December 25, 1877, to Josephine McIlhargey, the widow of Private Archibald McIlhargey.

William Millard Caldwell (right) married Blanche Miller on December 25, 1887, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

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

Thomas Wilford Harrison (right) died on December 25, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant for Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

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

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

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

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

Luther Rector Hare (left) died on December 22, 1929, of throat cancer in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on December 26, 1929. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Johann Michael Vetter was born in Hessen, Germany, on December 23, 1853. He was a Private in Company L who was killed during the battle.

Joseph Carroll died on December 23, 1904, in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

John James Carey died in Benton City, Washington, on December 23, 1929, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Martin Personeus died in Carlinsville, Illinois, on December 24, 1889. He was a Private in Company L who was on detached service tending the garden at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the Little Bighorn campaign.

Giovanni Martini (left) died on December 24, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company H who brought the famous “be quick” note to Benteen.

Thomas W. Coleman was born on December 25, 1850, in Troy, New York. He was a Private in Company B who with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin B. Wight was born in Casco, Maine, on December 25, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was married on December 25, 1877, to Josephine McIlhargey, the widow of Private Archibald McIlhargey.

William Millard Caldwell married Blanche Miller on December 25, 1887, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

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

Thomas Wilford Harrison (right) died on December 25, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant for Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (left) was born on December 26, 1846, in Sligo, Ireland. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana, guarding the wagon train.

Timothy Haley was born on December 26, 1846, in Cork, Ireland. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Max Hoehn (right) was born in Berlin, Germany, on December 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company L who stayed with the regimental papers at Powder River so he was not in the battle.

John Meyers died of consumption on December 26, 1877, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was the Saddler for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later wounded in 1877 during Gen. Miles’ fight with Chief Joseph.

John J. Fay and John Fox both died in Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1932. Fay and Fox both were buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. Both were Privates in Company D. Fay participated in the valley and hilltop fights, and Fox was in the hilltop fight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn.

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 of the Little Bighorn. He was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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 H. 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 due to detached service.

George B. Herendeen (left) 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 Gregory Michno (see “Misrepresented ‘Monster’ Major Marcus Reno“) 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.

Henry Petring (left) was born in Germany on November 29, 1853. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in an eye and hip.

James Pym died on November 29, 1893, in Miles City, Montana, and was buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight where he was wounded in the right ankle. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

John Noonan committed suicide on November 30, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the 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 Corporal in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas W. Coleman died in Sawtelle, California, on November 30, 1921, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. 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

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

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

Myles Moylan (right) was born on December 17, 1838, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was the Captain of Company A who was in command of the company during the valley and hilltop fights. He later was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bear Paw Mountain. He died on December 11, 1909, in San Diego, California, and was buried in Greenwood Memorial Park

George Loyd was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He committed suicide at Fort Riley, Kansas, on December 17, 1892, and was buried in the Post Cemetery. He had been awarded the Medal of Honor for valor at Wounded Knee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luther Rector Hare (right) died on December 22, 1929, in Washington, D.C, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles A. Campbell died on November 25, 1920, in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bismarck.

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 of the Little Bighorn. He was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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 H. 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 due to detached service.

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.

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.

Henry Petring (left) was born in Germany on November 29, 1853. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in an eye and hip.

James Pym died on November 29, 1893, in Miles City, Montana, and was buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight where he was wounded in the right ankle. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

John Noonan committed suicide on November 30, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the 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 Corporal in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas W. Coleman died in Sawtelle, California, on November 30, 1921, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William G. Abrams was born on December 1, 1840, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.