This Week in Little Bighorn History

George A. Bott died on September 8, 1883, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was buried in the Oakland and Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Strikes Two died on September 8, 1922, in Elbowood, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who crossed the river with Reno’s Column.

Patrick McDonnell died in San Antonio, Texas, on September 9, 1922, and was buried in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

 Samuel J. McCormick died of a heart attack on September 10, 1908, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (left) died in Farmington, New Hampshire, on September 10, 1927, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company D who went on scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore was born on September 12, 1854, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank W. Sniffin was born in New York City on September 12, 1857. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger died of a heart attack on September 12, 1917, in Sykes, Montana, and was buried in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was with the band, so he was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, was born in Orsle, Denmark, on September 13, 1849. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Nathan T. Brown died on September 13, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory, during a battle with the Nez Perce. He was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, and was reinterred on March 27, 1905, in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency in Montana.

Joseph Bates committed suicide in Sturgis, South Dakota, on September 13, 1893, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Richard P. Hanley (left) died on September 13, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts. He was a Sergeant with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Hobert Ryder died in Wheeling, West Virginia, sometime after September 14, 1893. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Herbert H. Arnold was born on May 19, 1853, in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

Hiram Erastus Brown, who was also known as Erastus Graves Brown, died in Watervliet, New York, on May 20, 1904, and was buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York.  He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James Bustard was born on May 21, 1844, in Drumbar, County Donegal, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Thomas Mower McDougall (left) was born at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1845. He was a Captain, commanding Company B during the battle, and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Hugo Findeisen died on May 21, 1881, at Fort Hamilton, New York, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. He was a Sergeant in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Curley (right) died of pneumonia at the Crow Agency in Montana on May 21, 1923, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was a Scout who rode with Custer’s Column.

Louis Baumgartner died on May 22, 1895, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital East Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Carson Williams, Jr. (left) died in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 22, 1919, and was buried in the New Vienna IOOF Cemetery in New Vienna, Ohio. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Michael Vincent Sheridan was born on May 24, 1840, in Somerset, Ohio. He was the youngest brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan and often served on his staff. He was the Captain of Company L at the time of the battle but he was not present due to detached service.

William Clemens Slaper (right) married his wife Sarah on May 25, 1882. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William H. Gilbert married Mary E. Hevener on April 7, 1870, and they had a son named Rudy. William was a Corporal in Company L who died with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Alexander Brown (left) died on April 7, 1884, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company G who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William Alexander was born on April 8, 1838, in Armagh, Ireland. He was a packer with the Quartermaster who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John R. Gray was born in Troy, New York, on April 8, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Stephen L. Ryan died on April 8, 1885, in Bismarck, Dakota Territory, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James Harrison Smith (left) was born on April 9, 1848, in Madison, Indiana. He was a Private in Company G and one of three James Smiths in the Seventh Cavalry at the time. He was the only one of the three who was not present at the battle because he enlisted in the Seventh on June 20 and was enroute to join his comrades. The other two who shared his name were killed with Custer’s Column and are buried on Last Stand Hill.

Morris Mason Farrar died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1899, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company E who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Gavin Capes died on April 10, 1900, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Allegheny Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Henry W. B. Mechlin (left) died on April 10, 1926, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home Cemetery there. He was a blacksmith in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions there.

Robert Rowland died near the Cannonball River, North Dakota, around April 11, 1879, of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in his head and was buried in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company G who was not present due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

William E. Robinson was born on April 12, 1842, in County Down, Ireland. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Andrew Knecht was born on April 12, 1853, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Henry M. Brinkerhoff was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on April 12, 1854. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Daniel Kanipe married Missouri Ann Wycoff Bobo, the widow of L. Edwin Bobo who was killed in the battle, on April 12, 1877.

John McShane died at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on April 13, 1877, and was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Joseph H. Green died on April 13, 1922, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

George Edward 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 Bailey divorced his first wife on February 17, 1869. 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, Pvt. Robert H. Hughes, who was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. 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 of the Little Bighorn because he was confined.

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

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.

Ernest Albert Garlington

Ernest Garlington (right) was born on February 20, 1853, in Newberry, South Carolina. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company H, but he was not present due to detached service.

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. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan. 

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.

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.

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.

Andrew Humes Nave 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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Patrick McDonnell died in San Antonio, Texas, on September 9, 1922, and was buried in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was wounded in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Samuel J. McCormick died of a heart attack on September 10, 1908, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (left) died in Farmington, New Hampshire, on September 10, 1927, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company D who went on scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore was born on September 12, 1854, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank W. Sniffin was born in New York City on September 12, 1857. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger died of a heart attack on September 12, 1917, in Sykes, Montana, and was buried in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was with the band, so he was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, was born in Orsle, Denmark, on September 13, 1849. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Nathan T. Brown died on September 13, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory, during a battle with the Nez Perce. He was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, and was reinterred on March 27, 1905, in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency in Montana.

Joseph Bates committed suicide in Sturgis, South Dakota, on September 13, 1893, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Richard P. Hanley (left) died on September 13, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts. He was a Sergeant with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Hobert Ryder died in Wheeling, West Virginia, sometime after September 14, 1893. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Isaac Fowler (right) was born on September 15, 1844, in Darke County, Ohio. He was a Private with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas O’Brien died of typhoid fever at Fort Buford, Dakota Territory, on September 15, 1876. He was initially buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery, Crow Agency, Montana.

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Hiram Erastus Brown, who was also known as Erastus Graves Brown, died in Watervliet, New York, on May 20, 1904, and was buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York.  He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James Bustard was born on May 21, 1844, in Drumbar, County Donegal, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Thomas Mower McDougall was born at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1845. He was a Captain, commanding Company B during the battle, and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Hugo Findeisen committed suicide on May 21, 1881, at Fort Hamilton, New York, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. He was a Sergeant in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Curley (left) died of pneumonia at the Crow Agency in Montana on May 21, 1923, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was a Scout who rode with Custer’s Column.

Louis Baumgartner died on May 22, 1895, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital East Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William C. Williams died in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 22, 1919, and was buried in the New Vienna IOOF Cemetery in New Vienna, Ohio. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Michael Vincent Sheridan was born on May 24, 1840, in Somerset, Ohio. He was the youngest brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan and often served on his staff. He was the Captain of Company L at the time of the battle but he was not present due to detached service.

William Clemens Slaper married his wife Sarah on May 25, 1882. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Ami Cheever was born on May 26, 1849, in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company L who was killed in the hilltop fight.

Christian C. Boisen was born in Denmark on May 26, 1840. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Samuel James Foster died on May 26, 1884, in Manchester, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

James W. Butler was born on April 1, 1844, in Limerick, Ireland. He stated he was born in Riverton, New Jersey, when he enlisted, but both his pension application and his death certificate listed Limerick, Ireland. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Philip McHugh died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1910, and was buried in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery there. His gravestone has March 31 as his date of death, but Recommended References (see below) all state April 1. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) died in Cookstown, New Jersey, on April 1, 1932, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a graduate of the United States Military academy at West Point who was the First Lieutenant for Company K. He commanded that company during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Charles Clinton Barnett died in Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington, on April 3, 1935, and was buried there in Grand View Cemetery. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Curtis Hall died in Warsaw, Indiana, on April 6, 1908. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Herbert H. Arnold died on April 6, 1929, in Meriden, Connecticut, and was buried there in Walnut Grove Cemetery. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Ackerman died at Fort Snelling Minnesota, on April 6, 1930. He was buried in the Forest Cemetery, which is now Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

William H. Gilbert married Mary E. Hevener on April 7, 1870, and they had a son named Rudy. William was a Corporal in Company L who died with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Alexander Brown (left) died on April 7, 1884, at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company G who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William G. Hardy died in San Francisco, California, on April 7, 1919, and was buried in the National Cemetery there, the Presidio. He was a trumpeter in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the LIttle Bighorn because he was confined.

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

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.

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. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan. He was the brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan. Michael died the day after Philip’s funeral.

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.

William Gavin Capes was born in Portland, Maine, on February 22, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company M who was not present due to detached service.

Andrew Humes Nave 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 and was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Louis Haack 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. He was a Major who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

 

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Samuel J. McCormick died of a heart attack on September 10, 1908, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Winfield Scott Edgerly died in Farmington, New Hampshire, on September 10, 1927, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Second Lieutenant for Company D who went on scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore was born on September 12, 1854, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank W. Sniffin was born in New York City on September 12, 1857. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger died of a heart attack on September 12, 1917, in Sykes, Montana, and was buried in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was with the band, so he was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Jan Moller, who was also known as James Moller, was born in Orsle, Denmark, on September 13, 1849. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Nathan T. Brown died on September 13, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory, during a battle with the Nez Perce. He was originally buried at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, and was reinterred on March 27, 1905, in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency in Montana.

Joseph Bates committed suicide in Sturgis, South Dakota, on September 13, 1893, and was buried in the Bear Butte Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Richard P. Hanley (left) died on September 13, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts. He was a Sergeant with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Hobert Ryder died in Wheeling, West Virginia, sometime after September 14, 1893. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Isaac Fowler was born on September 15, 1844, in Darke County, Ohio. He was a Private with Company C who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas O’Brien died of typhoid fever at Fort Buford, Dakota Territory, on September 15, 1876. He was initially buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery, Crow Agency, Montana.

Henry Charles Weihe was born on September 16, 1847, in Saxony, Germany. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded during the hilltop fight.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles Banks died on May 14, 1901, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James Hurd was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, on May 16, 1850. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

George Eiseman was born on May 16, 1854, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Ferdinand Klawitter died in Nax, North Dakota, on May 17, 1924, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

 

Herbert H. Arnold was born on May 19, 1853, in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln. The photograph of his last home (left) in Meriden, Connecticut, was contributed by Raymond K. Johnson.

Hiram Erastus Brown, who was also known as Erastus Graves Brown, died in Watervliet, New York, on May 20, 1904. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.