This Week in Little Bighorn History

History Mystery: This week there are questions concerning  James Wilber Darcy whose death is noted below. His surname had several spellings, and he also used the alias James Wilber. In fact, his gravestone (left) used his alias while his interment records (below) used James Darsey/Darcy. References compiled by Ron Nichols and Roger Williams listed him as Darcy/Darsey; Fred Wagner and Walter Camp listed him as Wilber. Another unusual fact about his gravestone is that it listed him as a participant in the Spanish-American War rather than the Indian Wars. He was admitted to the Soldiers’ Home in 1877 due to being partially paralyzed by wounds received during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, so he was likely confined there for over 40 years. Questions: Why does his gravestone identify him by his alias and list the Spanish-American War? Which name is the best to use, Darcy or Wilber?

Please leave a comment if you would like to offer opinions or email the Little Bighorn History Alliance.

Now for this week’s milestones . . . .


William Heyn (left) was born on July 12, 1848, in Bremen, Germany. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

John H. Meier died on July 12, 1917, in Washougal, Clark County, Washington, and was buried in the Washougal Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was born in County Louth, Ireland, on July 13, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions at the Little Bighorn.

James Wilber Darcy died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 1920, and was buried three days later in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded in the left leg on June 26, 1876.

William O’Mann was born on July 14, 1849, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Henry Drago died on July 16, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery (also known as St. Mary’s Cemetery) there. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John B. McGuire, Jr.(left) was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Nikolaus [Nickolas] Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was buried in the West Park Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

On June 28, 1876, Curley (Ashishishe), a member of the Crow tribe, tried to tell Captain Marsh about the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Scout with Custer’s Column.

Thomas W. Stivers died in a gunfight on June 28, 1877, in Kingston, Kentucky, and was buried in the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for bringing water to the wounded during the battle.

John Hackett married Esther Smith on June 28, 1902. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in his left arm.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was born in York County, South Carolina, on June 29, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the valley and hilltop fights.

William B. Crisfield (right) married Mary Pauline Blanchstone on June 29, 1865. They had three sons. He was a Private with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column. Several months after his death, his wife married Martin Personeus who also was a Private in Company L but was not present at the battle.

The steamer Far West received 54 wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 30, 1876.

Benjamin Hubert Hodgson

Benjamin Hubert Hodgson (left) was born on June 30, 1848, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Second Lieutenant for Company B who was the Acting Adjutant for Reno’s Column. He was killed in the valley fight.

George H. King died on July 2, 1876, in Pease Bottom, Montana Territory, where he was buried. In 1917, he was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency. He was a Corporal with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in the left shoulder on the evening of June 25 and was later evacuated to the steamer Far West where he died.

William W. Lasley (right) died on July 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Eaton Tourtellotte was born on July 3, 1833, in Windham, Connecticut. He was the Captain of Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service.

William Montell George, a Private in Company K, died aboard the Far West on July 3, 1876, of wounds he received during the hilltop fight. He was buried the following day beside the Yellowstone River in Montana Territory. His grave was moved some time later to higher ground.

Peter Orlando Barry died on July 3, 1909, in Morgan, Maryland, and was buried in the Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodbine, Carroll County, Maryland. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas Mower McDougall (left) died in Brandon, Vermont, on July 3, 1909, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain commanding Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Michael John Walsh died on July 3, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company H who was not present at the battle due to confinement.

Happy Fourth of July!

William J. Logue was born on July 4, 1841, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Eugene L. Cooper, who used the alias George C. Morris, was born in Georgetown, Delaware, on July 4, 1851. He was a Corporal with Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Benjamin Franklin Churchill married Emily Valentine on July 4, 1880. He was a Quartermaster Packer who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore married Sarah Belcher on July 4, 1881, at Belcher Ranch, Custer County, Montana. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Conrad Farber died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 29, 1896. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

The Bismarck Tribune
October 24, 1877, p. 4

A number of men who survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn were killed fifteen months later on September 30, 1877, during the battle at Snake Creek, Montana.

They were initially buried on the battlefield at Bear Paw Mountain but were later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crowe Agency, Montana.

James Montgomery Bell (left) was born on October 1, 1837, in Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. He was the First Lieutenant for Company D who was not present at the battle because he was on leave.

Joseph Milton died in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, on October 1, 1904. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Wilbur F. Blair died on October 2, 1891, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and was buried there in the Lewisburg Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Patrick Carey died in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1893, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank Braun died on October 4, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, during an operation on the gunshot wounds he received during the battle. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the face and left thigh during the fight on Reno Hill. He was originally buried at the Fort Abraham Lincoln Cemetery but was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Montana.

Abram B. Brant (left) died at Camp J. D. Sturgis, Dakota Territory, on October 4, 1878, from a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was buried at Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry M. Krusee, who was also known as Melanchton H. Crussy, was born on October 5, 1840, in New York City. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Abram Brant (above) was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on Reno Hill one day after his death. Six others were also awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for their actions during the battle:

Black Fox (left) died on October 5, 1936, and was buried in the Holy Family U. S. Scouts Cemetery in Sanish, Mountrail County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was not present during the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William O’Mann was born on July 14, 1849, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Henry Drago died on July 16, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery (also known as St. Mary’s Cemetery) there. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (right) was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Nikolaus [Nickolas] Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Richard Winick Corwine was born in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1844. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

David Cooney died on July 20, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

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.

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.

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.

Chased by Owls (Two Kettle) died on June 25, 1876, during the battle.

Cloud Man (Sans Arc) died on June 25, 1876, during the battle.

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.

On June 28, 1876, Curley tried to tell Captain Marsh about the battle.

Breech Cloth (Minneconjou) died on June 26, 1876, during the battle.

Black Wasichu (Oglala) died on June 27, 1876.

Thomas W. Stivers died in a gunfight on June 28, 1877, in Kingston, Kentucky, and was buried in the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was born in York County, South Carolina, on June 29, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the valley and hilltop fights.

William B. Crisfield (right) married Mary Pauline Blanchstone on June 29, 1865. They had three sons. He was a Private with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column. Several months after his death, his wife married Martin Personeus who also was a Private in Company L but was not present at the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Gustave Mathey (right) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (left) was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Nikolaus Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (right) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Richard Winick Corwine was born in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1844. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

David Cooney died on July 20, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was original buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

William August Marshall was born in Germany on July 21, 1851. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

John A. Reed (left) died on July 21, 1897, at Fort Sisseton, South Dakota. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

 

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Happy Fourth of July!

On July 4, 1876, news of the Battle of the Little Bighorn was reaching the east coast where Philadelphia was hosting the Centennial Exhibition.

Two members of the 1876 Seventh Cavalry were born on Independence Day (see the flag below). Other Seventh Cavalry milestones this week include:

George H. King died on July 2, 1876, in Pease Bottom, Montana Territory, where he was buried. In 1917, he was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency. He was a Corporal with Company A who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas W. Stivers died in Kingston, Kentucky, on July 2, 1877, and was buried in the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Francis Johnson Kennedy (left) married Mary E. Hogan (1961-1913) on July 2, 1882. He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John Hackett and Esther Smith were married on July 2, 1902. He was a Private in Company G who was wounded in the left arm during the valley and hilltop fights.

William W. Lasley died on July 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Eaton Tourtellotte was born on July 3, 1933, in Windham, Connecticut. He died on July 22, 1891, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Tourtellotte Cemetery in Thompson, Connecticut. He was the Captain of Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service.

William Montell George, a Private in Company K, died aboard the Far West on July 3, 1876, of wounds he received during the hilltop fight. He was buried the following day beside the Yellowstone River in Montana Territory.

Peter Orlando Barry died on July 3, 1907, in Morgan, Maryland, and was buried in the Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodbine, Carroll County, Maryland. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas Mower McDougall died in Brandon, Vermont, on July 3, 1907, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain commanding Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Michael John Walsh died on July 3, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company H who was not present at the battle due to confinement.

William J. Logue was born on July 4, 1841, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

George C. Morris was born in Georgetown, Delaware, on July 4, 1851. He was a Corporal with Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.


William J. Gregg
was born on July 5, 1847, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Walter O. Taylor was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, on July 5, 1854. He was a Blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

James C. Bennett died at 3:00 A.M. on July 5, 1876, aboard the Far West. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was wounded in the chest during the second day of the battle.

John Shauer died in Seattle, Washington, on July 7, 1924, and was buried in the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Franklin Barsantee died on July 8, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.