Author: Diane

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

Myles Walter Keogh (left) was born on March 25, 1840, in County Carlow, Ireland. He was a Captain in command of Company I when he was killed with Custer’s Column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His horse Comanche became famous as the “Sole Survivor” of Custer’s Column. For more about Keogh and his life in Ireland, see the articles by Elisabeth Kimber.

Henry Allen Bailey (right) was born in Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island, on March 25, 1852. He was the blacksmith for Company I and was killed with Custer’s Column. He was buried at Last Stand Hill.

Ferdinand A. Culbertson was born on March 26, 1845, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Aaron Lee Woods died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26, 1902, and was buried there in Mount Moriah Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick Holmstead died on March 27, 1880, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during which he was wounded.

George Anderson married Louisa Kiesel on March 27, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Carson Williams (left) was born on March 28, 1856, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Harvey Alexander Fox died in Warm Springs, Montana, on March 28, 1913. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Marcus Albert Reno (right) died on March 30, 1889, in Washington, D.C. He was originally buried there in Mount Olivet Cemetery but was later reinterred at Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was a Major at the time of the battle in command of a battalion during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Henry Davenport died in Flushing, New York, on March 30, 1934. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Marcus Henry Kellogg (left) was born on March 31, 1833, in Brighton, Ontario, Canada. He was a civilian newspaper correspondent who was killed with Custer’s column and buried on Last Stand Hill.

John Dolan (right) died at Fort Myer, Virginia, on March 31, 1922, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

P. Henry Bishley died on March 18, 1929, in Napa County, California, and was buried in the Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edmund Burlis was born on March 19, 1848, in Klingnau, Switzerland. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

George Wesley Stephens died in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 1887, and was buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Edina, Knox County, Missouri. He was a Private in Company G who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Edwin B. Wight died on March 19, 1917, in Togus, Maine, and was buried in the Togus National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Charles Alexander Reynolds (left) was born on March 20, 1842, near Monmouth, Illinois. “Lonesome Charley” was a guide who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

Adam Wetzel died in Bozeman, Montana, on March 20, 1909, and was buried in the Holy Rosary Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Dennis Kerr died on March 21, 1890, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

James Wynn died at Fort Yates, North Dakota, on March 21, 1892, and was buried in the Post Cemetery there. He later was interred in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Patrick Connelly was born on March 22, 1844, in Enniskellen, Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Walter Hoyt died in Middleborough, Kentucky, on March 23, 1903. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

Thomas F. O’Neill (left) died on March 23, 1914, in Riverdale, Maryland, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Samuel Alcott died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 24, 1926, and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company A who was on detached service at the Powder River Depot at the time of the battle.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Charles A. Windolph (left) died on March 11, 1950, in Lead, South Dakota, and was buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. He was the last white survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor.

George A. Bott was born on March 12, 1853, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Isaac and Betty Bott. He was a Private in Company A who fought in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Blake died in New York City on March 12, 1927. He was a Private in Company A who fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He died in the city of his birth and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn.

George Washington Wylie died on March 13, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas. He was a Corporal in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Henry Petring married his wife Louisa on March 14, 1881. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights where he was wounded in the eye and hip.

Patrick Corcoran was born in Canada on March 15, 1844. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight. He was wounded in the right shoulder on June 26, 1876.

Thomas Ward Custer was born on March 15, 1846, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was awarded two Medals of Honors for his actions during the Civil War, and he died at Little Bighorn.

Charles WelchCharles H. Welch (left) was born in New York City on March 16, 1845. He was a Private in Company D who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight.

John Weiss was born on March 16, 1849, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was  a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Newell was born on March 17, 1847, in County Rascommon, Ireland. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas Henry French (left) was born on March 4, 1843, in Baltimore, Maryland, and he died on March 27, 1882, at Planters House in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was originally buried in the National Cemetery there but was later moved to Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington, D.C. He was the Captain of M Company who commanded his men in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John Charles Creighton (right) was born in Massillon, Ohio, on March 4, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Joseph Callen died in Yonkers, New York, on March 5, 1908, and was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange, New Jersey. 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 for his actions there.

Thomas Patrick Downing was born on March 6, 1856, in Limerick, Ireland. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column. He was buried in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

John Foley of Ireland died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on March 6, 1926, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Calhoun (left) married Margaret Emma Custer on March 7, 1872. He was the First Lieutenant of Company C who commanded Company L during the battle. Maggie Custer lost her husband, three brothers (George, Tom, and Boston) and a nephew (Autie Reed) in that battle.

Edwin Philip Eckerson was born on March 8, 1850, in Fort Vancouver, Washington. He was the Second Lieutenant of Company L, but he was not present at the battle because he was enroute.

Charles William Larned (right) was born in New York, New York, on March 9, 1850. He was an 1870 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was the Second Lieutenant in Company F. He was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James Boggs was born on March 10, 1846, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle. He was discharged for medical reasons on May 15, 1876.

Morris H. Thompson was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on March 10, 1852. He was a Private in Company E who was not present during the battle due to detached service.


This Week in Little Bighorn History

John 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 in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn 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 and was killed.

Charles Albert Varnum (right) died on February 26, 1936, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He commanded the scouts during the battle and was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

Joseph K. Ricketts was born on February 27, 1850, near Morrow, Ohio, and he 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.

William Millard Caldwell was born on February 27, 1857, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company B who was not present during the battle due to detached service.

Lewis Merrill (left) died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 27, 1896, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was an 1855 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served the 7th Cavalry staff as a Major, but he was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Jacob Hetler 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.

George Washington Wylie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 28, 1848. He was a Corporal in Company D who fought in the hilltop fight.

John O’Neill died on March 2, 1888, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Ludwick St. John was born in Columbia, Missouri, on March 3, 1848. He was a Private in Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Thomas F. McLaughlin died on March 3, 1886, in Jamestown, North Dakota, and was buried in the Jamestown State Hospital Cemetery. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Henry Rinaldo Porter, M.D., (left) died at the Hotel Metropole in Agra, India, on March 3, 1903, and was buried in the Cantonment Cemetery there. A memorial monument for Dr. Porter sits next to his wife’s grave in Oberlin, Ohio.

 

 

 


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

Jeremiah Campbell was born on February 11, 1844, in Sangamon County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Richard B. Dorn was born on February 11, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and was killed in the hilltop fight.

Christian Schlafer died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 11, 1905, of bronchial pneumonia. He was buried in the Walnut Hills Cemetery in Cincinnati.

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.

Jean Baptiste Desire Gallenne 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 (left) 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.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (right) 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.

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 of the Little Bighorn 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.

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.

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 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. Rafter was a Sergeant in Company K who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas J. Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was on detached service at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. His burial location is not known.

Henry M. Brinkerhoff died on February 4, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Otto Voit (left) was born on February 5, 1845, in Baden, Germany. He was a Saddler for Company H who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded.

Otto Arndt died at The Presidio in San Francisco on February 6, 1917, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was in the Band and on detached service at the Powder River Depot during the battle.

William Alexander died in Washington, D.C., on February 6, 1922, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Packer for the Quartermaster and was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

John Duggan, who enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry as John L. Crowley, was born on February 7, 1849, in Fitchfield, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column and buried on Last Stand Hill.

William A. Losee was born in Brewster Station, New York, on February 7, 1852. He was a Private in Company F who was killed with Custer’s column. He was buried on Last Stand Hill, but there is also a memorial marker for him in the Old Methodist Cemetery in Brewster, Putnam County, New York.

John G. Kimm died on February 7, 1909, at the Soldiers Home in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was buried in the Mountain Home National Cemetery in that city. He was a Private in Company E who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

John J. Keefe was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on February 8, 1855. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

John J. Keller died on February 8, 1913, in Butte, Montana, and was buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Helena, Montana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin C. Criswell (left) was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, on February 9, 1849. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight, during which he was wounded.

Weston Harrington was born on February 9, 1855, in Alton, Franklin County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s column and buried on Last Stand Hill.

James Frank Barsantee was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack track and in the hilltop fight.

William Sadler was born on February 10, 1855, in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who was on detached service at Powder River at the time of the battle.

Stanislas Roy (left) died of cancer at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, on February 10, 1913. He was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

 

 

 


This Week in Little Bighorn History

Wilson McConnell was born on January 28, 1839, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Thomas Craycroft was born in Springfield, Kentucky, on January 28, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company B, but he was on detached service during the battle.

John Curtis Hall was born on January 29, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Uriah S. Lewis died on January 29, 1914 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery in North Wales, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael Martin died at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, on January 30, 1877, due to a shot in his chest and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Montana.

Frederic Francis Girard (left), an interpreter for the cavalry, died on January 30, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried in the Saint Benedict’s Parish Cemetery in Avon, Minnesota.

John C. Creighton, a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight, died in Tacoma, Washington, on January 30, 1935, and was buried in the Tacoma Mausoleum.

Garrett H. Van Allen was born on February 1, 1846, in Bethlehem, New York. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

George Heid died at Fort Totten, Dakota Territory, on February 1, 1887. He was a Private in Company M who was in both the valley and hilltop fights. He was buried in Custer National Cemetery.

James Ezekiel Porter (left) was born on February 2, 1847, in Strong, Maine. He was a First Lieutenant in Company I who was presumed killed and may have been buried on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter was born in New York Mills, New York, on February 3, 1848. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon during the battle and saw action in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Henry Campbell was born on February 3, 1850, in Boone County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company B who rode with the pack train and fought in the hilltop fight.

Levi Madison Thornberry was born in Marietta, Ohio, on February 3, 1853. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.