Bell – Little Bighorn History

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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. He was promoted to Captain effective June 25, 1876, due to the death of Captain George Yates.

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, serving as the cook for the regimental band.

Wilbur Fiske 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 during the battle.

Patrick Carey died in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1893, and was buried the following day 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. He was awarded the Medal of Hono r the day after his death for his efforts during the battle. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Henry Melanchton 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. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

On October 5, 1878, eight men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions on Reno Hill. Known as the water carriers, they were:

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 because he was scouting.

Jacob Horner (right) was born in New York City on October 6, 1855. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

James Dougherty died on October 6, 1884, in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, and was buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John Lattman died of a bleeding ulcer on October 7, 1913, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was buried in the Elk Vale Cemetery, east of Piedmont, South Dakota. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Henry Petring (left) died in Brooklyn, New York, on October 7, 1917, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in the eye and hip.

James Boggs died on October 7, 1921, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Shoops Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who received a medical discharge prior to the campaign.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Algernon Emory Smith (left) was born on September 17, 1842, in Newport, New York. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who died with Custer’s Column.

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was concluded on September 17, 1851. When it was before the Senate for ratification, certain amendments were made which required the assent of the Tribes, but the assent was not obtained. Two Court of Claims cases held that the treaty was legal and binding on the United States.

James Montgomery Bell (left) died in Hermosa Beach, California, on September 17, 1919, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery (The Presidio). He was a First Lieutenant of Company D who was on leave at the time of the battle.

James Lawler died on September 18, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Siegmund Ferdinand Widmayer died in Riverton, New Jersey, on September 18, 1913, and was buried in the Epworth United Methodist Cemetery in Palmyra, New Jersey. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service in charge of a six-mule team at Powder River, Montana.

George W. Glenn (left), who was also known as George W. Glease, died on September 18, 1914, in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

David McWilliams committed suicide on September 19, 1882, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to being shot in his leg while aboard the Far West. See 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

George Anderson died of lip cancer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 19, 1912, and was buried the next day in the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service as a laborer in the quartermaster department at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Alexander Browne Bishop died on September 19, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in The Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Corporal in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

John A. Bailey was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, on September 20, 1847. He was a Saddler with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Jacob Horner (left) died of a respiratory infection on September 21, 1951, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Charles Henry Bischoff was born in Bremen, Germany, on September 23, 1855. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Daniel Newell (left) died of gangrene on September 23, 1933, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the hilltop fight. See 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Joseph K. Ricketts married Alice Williams on September 25, 1884, with whom he later had a son named Bryan. Joseph was a Wagoner with Company M who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John Gorham, who was also known as John E. Quinn, died on September 26, 1932, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot, Montana, guarding the wagon train.

Captain Thomas B. Weir with Nina Tilford, daughter of Major Joseph G. Tilford, at Fort Seward, Dakota Territory, June 19, 1875.

Thomas Benton Weir (above) was born in Nashville, Ohio, on September 28, 1838. He was the Captain in command of Company D during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (above) died on September 28, 1889, at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington , Virginia. He was the Colonel commanding the Regiment, but he was not present at the battle due to detached service at St. Louis, Missouri. His son, Lt. James Garland Sturgis, was killed with Custer’s Column.

Patrick C. White and Family
*(front row from left)* Eva, Claire, Patrick, Joseph, Loretta, wife Eliza
*(back row from left)* Mary, Arthur, and two unknowns

Patrick C. White (above), who used the alias Patrick Connelly, died on September 28, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Conrad Farber died on September 28, 1896, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Private with Company I, but he was serving as a carpenter in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the time of the battle.

Many men who were attached to the 7th Cavalry at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn later fought and died at Snake Creek (Bear Paw Mountain), Montana, on September 30, 1877. They were initially buried on or near the Snake Creek Battlefield but were moved to the Custer National Cemetery at Crow Agency, Montana, on August 7, 1913.

James Montgomery Bell (above) 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. He was promoted to Captain effective June 25, 1876, due to the death of Captain George Yates.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Lansing A. Moore (left) 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 during the battle.

Franklin Webster 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 (right) 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. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Jan Mollar, 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 in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency in Montana.

Emil Taube (left) married Mary Adams on September 13, 1882. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

J oseph C. 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. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Richard P. Hanley (right) 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.

Hobart Ryder died in Wheeling, West Virginia, sometime after September 14, 1893. He was a Private in Company M who served as a hospital orderly for Dr. Porter and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Isaac Fowler (left) 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. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Algernon Emory Smith (left) was born on September 17, 1842, in Newport, New York. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who died with Custer’s Column.

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was concluded on September 17, 1851. The Senate made certain amendments that required the assent of the Tribes, but the assent was not obtained. Two Court of Claims cases held that the treaty was legal and binding on the United States.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Gorham, who was also known as John E. Quinn, died on September 26, 1932, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at the Powder River Depot, Montana, guarding the wagon train.

Thomas Benton Weir (left) was born in Nashville, Ohio, on September 28, 1838. He was the Captain in command of Company D during scouting and the hilltop fight.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) died on September 28, 1889, at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Colonel commanding the Regiment, but he was not present at the battle due to detached service at St. Louis, Missouri. His son, Lt. James Garland Sturgis, was killed with Custer’s Column.

Patrick C. White (left), who used the alias Patrick Connelly, died on September 28, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

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 due to detached service in St. Paul, Minnesota, as a carpenter for the quartermaster department.

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

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

James Montgomery Bell (right) was born on October 1, 1837, in Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. He served as an Army officer from 1837 through 1919 when he retired as a Brigadier General. He joined the 7th Cavalry in July 1866 and saw action at Washita (1868) and Canyon Creek (1877). In 1876, 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, serving as the cook for the regimental band.

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Lansing A. Moore (left) 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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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 (left) 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 Mollar, 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.

Emil Taube (left) married Mary Adams on September 13, 1882. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Joseph C. 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 (left) 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.

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.

Algernon Emory Smith (left) was born on September 17, 1842, in Newport, New York. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who died with Custer’s Column.

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was concluded on September 17, 1851. When it was before the Senate for ratification, certain amendments were made which required the assent of the Tribes, but the assent was not obtained. Congress appropriated money for the fulfillment of the Treaty’s stipulations, but its validity was questioned.

James Lawler died on September 18, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Ferdinand Widmayer died in Riverton, New Jersey, on September 18, 1913, and was buried in the Epworth United Methodist Cemetery in Palmyra, New Jersey. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana, in charge of a 6-mule team.

George W. Glenn, who was also known as George W. Glease, died on September 18, 1914, in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Samuel Davis Sturgis (left) died on September 28, 1889, at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the Colonel commanding the Regiment, but he was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at St. Louis, Missouri. His son, Lt. James Garland Sturgis, was killed with Custer’s Column.

Patrick C. White, who used the alias Patrick Connelly, died on September 28, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

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 due to detached service.

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.

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

Emil Taube (left) married Mary Adams on September 13, 1882. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Joseph C. 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.

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 (left) 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.

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.

Algernon Emory Smith (left) was born on September 17, 1842, in Newport, New York. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who died with Custer’s Column.

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was concluded on September 17, 1851. When it was before the Senate for ratification, certain amendments were made which required the assent of the Tribes, but the assent was not obtained. Congress appropriated money for the fulfillment of the Treaty’s stipulations, but its validity was questioned.

James Lawler died on September 18, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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.

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.

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:

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Isaac Fowler (left) 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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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.

Algernon Emory Smith (left) was born on September 17, 1842, in Newport, New York. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who died with Custer’s Column.

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was concluded on September 17, 1851. When it was before the Senate for ratification, certain amendments were made which required the assent of the Tribes, but the assent was not obtained. Congress appropriated money for the fulfillment of the Treaty’s stipulations, but its validity was questioned.

James Montgomery Bell (right) died in Hermosa Beach, California, on September 17, 1919, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery (The Presidio). He was a First Lieutenant of Company D who was on leave at the time of the battle.

James Lawler died on September 18, 1877, at Canyon Creek, Montana Territory. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

George Anderson died of lip cancer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 19, 1912, and was buried the next day in the Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, which is also known as Layman’s Cemetery. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John A. Bailey was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, on September 20, 1847. He was a Saddler with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.