This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles L. Anderson deserted on June 20, 1876, while on detached service at the camp at the mouth of the Powder River. He was a Private in Company C.

Charles Albert Varnum (left) was born in Troy, New York, on June 21, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company A who commanded the scouts during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded in his leg.

Luther Rector Hare (right) married Augusta Virginia Hancock, niece of General Winfield Scott Hancock, on June 21, 1878. They divorced prior to 1906 when she married again. Hare was a Second Lieutenant with Company K who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank K. Lombardy died in San Diego, California, on June 21, 1917, and was buried there in the Mount Hope Cemetery. He was a Private with the Band who was at Fort Abraham Lincoln, tending the band garden, after recuperating from a sprained right ankle.

George Custer (left) met with General Alfred Terry and Colonel John Gibbon aboard the steamer Far West on June 21, 1876.

Frederick William Benteen (right) died on June 22, 1898, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was originally buried in the Westview Cemetery in Atlanta but was reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in November 1902. He was the Captain of Company H who commanded a battalion during the battle. He led a scouting party and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles Welch

Charles H. Welch (left) died in LaSalle, Colorado, on June 22, 1915, and was buried in the Evans Cemetery in Evans, Colorado. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Carl August Bruns was born on June 23, 1830, in Brunswick, Germany. He was a Private with Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service tending the company garden at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

John Brightfield was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, on June 23, 1853. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Fred Stressinger was born on June 24, 1852, in Ripley County, Indiana. He was a Corporal in Company M who was killed in the valley fight.

James Augusta Abos was born on June 24, 1858, in Albany, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was not at the battle because he was awaiting trial for desertion.

Jacob Adams (left) was born on June 25, 1852, in Stark County, Ohio. He was a Private with Company H who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edward Diamond was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, on June 25, 1854. He was a Private with Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

In honor of all who lost their lives on June 25 and 26, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn: Soldiers, Warriors, Civilians, and Scouts.

Chased by Owls (Hinhan Okuwa), a Two Kettle Lakota, died on June 25, 1876, was killed in the valley fight.

Cloud Man (Mahpiya Wicasa), a Sans Arc Lakota, died on June 25, 1876, during the battle while fighting Custer’s Column.

Olans H. Northeg, whose birth name was Olaus Hansen Nordeeg, was born on June 26, 1841, in Nannestad, Akershus County, Norway. He was a Sergeant with Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

Cornelius Bresnahan died as a result of a railroad accident on June 26, 1901, and was buried in the North Cambridge Catholic Cemetery. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Breech Cloth (Miyapahe), a Minniconjou Sioux, was killed on June 26, 1876, while fighting on Reno Hill.

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