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 Honor 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

William L. Crawford died on August 20, 1876, of typhoid fever at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later interred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Big Horn County, Montana. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle because he was in the Post Hospital at Fort Lincoln.

Elwyn S. Reid died of heart failure at Fort D. A. Russell in Wyoming on August 20, 1895, and was buried there in what is now the Francis E. Warren Air Base Cemetery in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederick William Benteen (left) was born on August 24, 1834, in Petersburg, Virginia, the son of Theodore Charles and Caroline Hargrove Benteen. He was the Captain of Company H, commanding a battalion. After scouting duty, he participated in the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which he was wounded.

James Flanagan (right) was born in Innis, County Clare, Ireland, on August 24, 1839. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Calhoun (left) was born on August 24, 1845, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and married Margaret Emma (Maggie) Custer on March 7, 1872. He was the First Lieutenant of Company C but commanded Company L during the battle. He was killed along with three brothers-in-law (George CusterTom Custer, and Boston Custer) and their nephew, Autie Reed.

Luther Rector Hare (right) was born in Noblesville, Indiana, on August 24, 1851, the son of Silas and Octavia Elizabeth Rector Hare. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K during the battle. He participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

William August Marshall died on August 24, 1892, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Ryan (left) was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1845. He was the First Sergeant for Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

James C. Blair (right) died on August 25, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Union Dale Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Camillus DeRudio (left) was born in Belluno Venetia, Austria, on August 26, 1832. He was the First Lieutenant for Company E who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Marion E. Horn was born on August 26, 1853, in Richmond, Indiana. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

James Weeks was shot and killed by Bernard Golden on Crow Agency, Montana, on August 26, 1877. He was a Private in Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James C. Blair (left) was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 18, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, charged with tending the company’s property and garden.

Michael Peter Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18, 1883, and was buried in the California City Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company K who was wounded during the hilltop fight while getting water for the wounded, but he was not awarded a Medal of Honor for his actions. Dr. Henry Porter (right) amputated his leg in the field.

William Henry Davenport died on December 18, 1904, in Missoula, Montana, and was buried at the Missoula Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William G. Hardy (left) was born on December 20, 1849, on Staten Island, New York. He was a bugler for Company A and fought in both the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Hiram Wallace Sager died in Spokane, Washington, on December 21, 1907, and was buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace there. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Gordon (left) died on December 21, 1935, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Swan Dale Cemetery in Mendon, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Luther Rector Hare (left) died on December 22, 1929, of throat cancer in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on December 26, 1929. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Johann Michael Vetter was born in Hessen, Germany, on December 23, 1853. He was a Private in Company L who was killed during the battle.

Joseph Carroll died on December 23, 1904, in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in the Band so he was not present at the battle.

John James Carey died in Benton City, Washington, on December 23, 1929, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Martin Personeus, who also used the alias Michael Conlan, died in Carlinsville, Illinois, on December 24, 1889. He was a Private in Company L who was on detached service tending the garden at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the Little Bighorn campaign.

Giovanni Martini (left) died on December 24, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company H who brought the famous “be quick” note to Benteen.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn.

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. 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.

John Godfried Tritten (left) was born on October 8, 1846, in Canton Rune, Switzerland. He was a Sergeant on the staff of the 7th Cavalry who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Stanton Hook died in Denver, Colorado, on October 8, 1898, and was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederick William Benteen (left) was born on August 24, 1834, in Petersburg, Virginia, the son of Theodore Charles and Caroline Hargrove Benteen. He was the Captain of Company H, commanding a battalion. After scouting duty, he participated in the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which he was wounded.

James Flanagan (right) was born in Innis, County Clare, Ireland, on August 24, 1839. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Calhoun (left) was born on August 24, 1845, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and married Margaret Emm (Maggie) Custer on March 7, 1872. He was the First Lieutenant of Company C but commanded Company L during the battle. He was killed along with three brothers-in-law (George CusterTom Custer, and Boston Custer) and their nephew, Autie Reed.

Luther Rector Hare (right) was born in Noblesville, Indiana, on August 24, 1851, the son of Silas and Octavia Elizabeth Rector Hare. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K during the battle. He participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

William August Marshall died on August 24, 1892, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Ryan (left) was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1845. He was the First Sergeant for Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

James C. Blair (right) died on August 25, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Union Dale Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Camillus DeRudio (left) was born in Belluno Venetia, Austria, on August 26, 1832. He was the First Lieutenant for Company E who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Marion E. Horn was born on August 26, 1853, in Richmond, Indiana. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

James Weeks was shot and killed by Bernard Golden on Crow Agency, Montana, on August 26, 1877. He was a Private in Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Robert Jackson was born on August 27, 1856, at Fort Benton, Montana Territory. He was a Scout who was not present at the battle. He was discharged from service on June 25, 1876, at Fort Lincoln.

John E. Armstrong married Martha Hancock on August 27, 1856. He was a Private in Company A who was killed in the valley fight.

John S. Wells died on August 27, 1893, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Bismarck. He was a Sergeant in Company E who was not present at the battle due to being on furlough, attending the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, he used the name James Blanchard.

Walter Scott Sterland died on August 27, 1922, in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, and was buried in the Dickinson Cemetery in Dickinson, Stark County, North Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William Van Wyck Reily (left) was born on December 12, 1853, in Washington D.C. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company F who was killed during the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876.

David Ackison was reported to have disappeared on December 12, 1890. It was assumed he fell in a river near Linton, North Dakota, and drowned. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle because he was sick with consumption on the steamer Far West.

John Godfried Tritten died in Dayton, Ohio, on December 12, 1918, and was buried in the Springlawn Cemetery in New Paris, Ohio. He was Saddler Sergeant on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Frederick Deetline (left) died on December 13, 1910, in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company D who was in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in October 1878 for his actions during the battle, and he received the appropriate MOH headstone 100 years later.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He survived the battle, but his brother-in-law, Donald McIntosh (right) did not.

Henry Holden served as a Private in Company D and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight. He died on December 14, 1905, in East Brighton, England, and was buried in the Brighton and Preston Cemetery there.

James P. Boyle was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1855. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle and was wounded in his back.

Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Felix Villiet Vinatieri (left), the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891, and was buried in the Yankton City Cemetery. The band was not present at the battle.

William Friedrich Braendle died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company F who was on detached service at Power River, Montana, during the battle. His obituary claimed he was a last survivor of the battle by being on courier duty, but that was not the case.

John McKenna, who was also known as John Kenney, drowned in the Ohio River before December 16, 1888, when his body was found near Constance, Kentucky. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

American Horse (left)) died on December 16, 1908, in South Dakota, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He was an Oglala who fought against Reno and Custer during the battle.

Edward D. Pigford (right) died in Lock Three, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1932, and was buried in the Richland Cemetery in Dravosburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Myles Moylan (left) was born on December 17, 1838, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was the Captain of Company A and was in command of the company during the valley and hilltop fights. He later was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bear Paw Mountain.

George Loyd, who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Fort Riley, Kansas, on December 17, 1892, and is buried in the Post Cemetery. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Wounded Knee.

George B. Penwell (left) died on December 17, 1905, at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Schwerer died at the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 17, 1913, and was buried at the Wood National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James O’Neill died on December 17, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to illness.

James C. Blair (left) was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 18, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the battle, charged with tending the company’s property and garden.

Michael P. Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18, 1883, and was buried in the California City Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company K who was wounded during the hilltop fight while getting water for the wounded, but he was not awarded a Medal of Honor for his actions. Dr. Henry Porter (right) amputated his leg in the field.

William Henry Davenport died on December 18, 1904, in Missoula, Montana, and was buried at the Missoula Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

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.

James H. Alberts

David Edward Dawsey

Otto Durselew

Owen Hale

Michael Martin

George M. McDermott

Max Mielke

Henry W. Raichel

William J. Randall

Francis Roth

William Whitlow

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

Frederick William Benteen (left) was born on August 24, 1834, in Petersburg, Virginia, the son of Theodore Charles and Caroline Hargrove Benteen. He was the Captain of Company H, commanding a battalion. After scouting duty, he participated in the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which he was wounded.

James Flanagan (right) was born in Innis, County Clare, Ireland, on August 24, 1839. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Calhoun (left) was born on August 24, 1845, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and married Margaret Emm (Maggie) Custer on March 7, 1872. He was the First Lieutenant of Company C but commanded Company L during the battle. He was killed along with three brothers-in-law (George CusterTom Custer, and Boston Custer) and their nephew, Autie Reed.

Luther Rector Hare (right) was born in Noblesville, Indiana, on August 24, 1851, the son of Silas and Octavia Elizabeth Rector Hare. He was an 1874 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as the Second Lieutenant of Company K during the battle. He participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

William August Marshall died on August 24, 1892, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Ryan (left) was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1845. He was the First Sergeant for Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

James C. Blair died on August 25, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Union Dale Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Charles Camillus DeRudio (right) was born in Belluno Venetia, Austria, on August 26, 1832. He was the First Lieutenant for Company E who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Marion E. Horn was born on August 26, 1853, in Richmond, Indiana. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

James Weeks died on Crow Agency, Montana, on August 26, 1877. He was a Private in Company M who participated in both the valley and hilltop fights.

Robert Jackson was born on August 27, 1856, at Fort Benton, Montana Territory. He was a Scout who was not present at the battle. He was discharged from service on June 25, 1876, at Fort Lincoln.

John E. Armstrong married Martha Hancock on August 27, 1856. He was a Private in Company A who was killed in the valley fight.

John S. Wells died on August 27, 1893, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Bismarck. He was a Sergeant in Company E who was not present at the battle due to being on furlough. He attended the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Walter Scott Sterland died on August 27, 1922, in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, and was buried in the Dickinson Cemetery in Dickinson, Stark County, North Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

Darwin Elnathan Fisher Symms was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 28, 1851, the son of Richard and Adaliza A. Symms. He was a Private in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Bad Heart Bull, who was among the first Oglala to fight Reno’s men on their approach to the village, died on August 28, 1913.

John McGlone died on August 28, 1920, in the Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederick Deetline (left) died on December 13, 1910, in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company D who was in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in October 1878 for his actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and he received the appropriate MOH headstone 100 years later.

Francis Marion Gibson (left) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 14, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company H who performed scouting duty and participated in the hilltop fight. He survived the battle, but his brother-in-law, Donald McIntosh (right) did not.

Henry Holden served as a Private in Company D and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the hilltop fight. He died on December 14, 1905, in East Brighton, England, and was buried in the Brighton and Preston Cemetery there.

James P. Boyle was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 15, 1855. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle and was wounded in his back.

Matthew Maroney died on December 15, 1880, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Felix Villiet Vinatieri (left), the Chief Musician of the Seventh Cavalry, died in Yankton, South Dakota, on December 15, 1891, and was buried in the Yankton City Cemetery. The band was not present at the battle.

John Donahoe died on December 15, 1905, in San Francisco, California, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Friedrich Braendle died in Santa Rosa, California, on December 15, 1932, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant with Company L who was not present at the battle due to illness.

John McKenna, who was also known as John Kenney, drowned in the Ohio River before December 16, 1888, when his body was found near Constance, Kentucky. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

American Horse (left)) died on December 16, 1908, in South Dakota, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He was an Oglala who fought against Reno and Custer during the battle.

Edward D. Pigford (right) died in Lock Three, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1932, and was buried in the Richland Cemetery in Dravosburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company M who fought in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Myles Moylan (left) was born on December 17, 1838, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was the Captain of Company A and was in command of the company during the valley and hilltop fights. He later was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bear Paw Mountain.

George Loyd, who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Fort Riley, Kansas, on December 17, 1892, and is buried in the Post Cemetery. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Wounded Knee.

George B. Penwell (left) died on December 17, 1905, at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., and was buried at the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was the Trumpeter for Company K and participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Schwerer died at the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 17, 1913, and was buried at the Wood National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James O’Neill died on December 17, 1931, in Sawtelle, California, and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to illness.

James C. Blair was born in Camden, New Jersey, on December 18, 1850. He was a Private in Company K who was on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the battle, charged with tending the company’s property and garden.

Michael P. Madden died in California, Missouri, on December 18, 1883, and was buried in the California City Cemetery there. He was the Saddler for Company K who was wounded during the hilltop fight. Dr. Porter amputated his leg in the field.

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.

James H. Alberts

David Edward Dawsey

Otto Durselew

Owen Hale

George M. McDermott

Max Mielke

Henry W. Raichel

William J. Randall

Francis Roth

William Whitlow

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.