This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 en route 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 (left) 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 at Powder River, Montana.

Henry W. B. Mechlin (right) 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.

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 during the battle.

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 (left) 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 Alexander Kanipe (right) married Missouri Ann Wycoff Bobo on April 12, 1877. She was the widow of Lemuel Edwin Bobo who was killed in the battle. Kanipe was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin Butler Wight married Alia E. Roberts on April 12, 1906. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John McShane died at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on April 13, 1877. He 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.

Patrick Carey was born on April 14, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Dolan (left), who was also known as Thomas Brown, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 14, 1843. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service on the steamer Far West.

John W. Sweeney died in Kentucky on April 14, 1884. He was a Private in Company F who participated in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe ( see photo above) was born on April 15, 1853, in Marion, North Carolina. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Robert George Rowland died near the Cannonball River, North Dakota, around April 15, 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 at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Uriah S. Lewis (left) 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 of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Frederic Francis Girard (left), an interpreter assigned to Reno’s column during the battle, died on January 30, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried in the Saint Benedict’s Parish Cemetery in Avon, Minnesota.

Edward Henry Pickard (right) died in Portland, Oregon, on January 30, 1928, three days after his 74th birthday. He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Charles Creighton (left) 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.

Peter Curtis Hall (right) was born on January 31, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D, but reports differ concerning his role in the battle. He may have participated in the hilltop fight.

George Wilhelmus Yates (left) divorced his first wife, Lucretia Irwin, on January 31, 1867, in St. Louis, Missouri, and remarried five years later. He was the Captain of Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Garrett H. Van Allen (right), an alias used by Garrett Houghtaling Niver, 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 Lawrence 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 the 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 rode with Custer’s column. His body was not located, so he was presumed killed during the battle. He most likely was buried with the soldiers in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter (right) 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.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan was a Private in Company F who was on detached service with the wagon train at the Powder River Depot at the time of the battle.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William Gavin Capes (left) 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 of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Henry W. B. Mechlin (right) 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.

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 during the battle.

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 (left) 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 (right) married Missouri Ann Wycoff Bobo on April 12, 1877. She was the widow of Lemuel Edwin Bobo who was killed in the battle. Kanipe was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin Butler Wight married Alia E. Roberts on April 12, 1906. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John McShane died at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on April 13, 1877. He 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.

Patrick Carey was born on April 14, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Dolan (left), who was also known as Thomas Brown, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 14, 1843. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service on the steamer Far West.

John W. Sweeney died in Kentucky on April 14, 1884. He was a Private in Company F who participated in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Kanipe ( see photo above) was born on April 15, 1853, in Marion, North Carolina. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Robert Rowland died near the Cannonball River, North Dakota, around April 15, 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 at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Walter Scott Sterland was born on April 16, 1851, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

Roman Rutten died on April 16, 1925, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Frederic Francis Girard (left), an interpreter assigned to Reno’s column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, died on January 30, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried in the Saint Benedict’s Parish Cemetery in Avon, Minnesota.

Edward Henry Pickard (right) died in Portland, Oregon, on January 30, 1928, three days after his 74th birthday. He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Charles Creighton (left) 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.

Peter Curtis Hall was born on January 31, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D, but reports differ concerning his role in the battle. He may have participated in the hilltop fight.

George Walter Yates (left) divorced his first wife, Lucretia Irwin, on January 31, 1867, in St. Louis, Missouri, and remarried five years later. He was the Captain of Company F who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Garrett H. Van Allen (right), an alias used by Garrett Houghtaling Niver, 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 Lawrence 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 the 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 rode with Custer’s column. His body was not located, so he was presumed killed during the battle. He most likely was buried with the soldiers in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter (right) 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.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan was a Private in Company F who was on detached service with the wagon train at the Powder River Depot at the time of the battle.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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 Emil 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.

James Harrison Smith (left) died on February 5, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois. He was a Private in Company G who was enroute to the battle, so he did not participate.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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 (left) married Missouri Ann Wycoff Bobo on April 12, 1877. She was the widow of Lemuel Edwin Bobo (right) who was killed in the battle. Kanipe was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin Butler Wight married Alia E. Roberts on April 12, 1906. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John McShane died at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on April 13, 1877. He 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.

Patrick Carey was born on April 14, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Dolan (left), who was also known as Thomas Brown, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 14, 1843. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service on the steamer Far West.

John W. Sweeney died in Kentucky on April 14, 1884. He was a Private in Company F who participated in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Kanipe ( see photo above) was born on April 15, 1853, in Marion, North Carolina. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Robert Rowland died near the Cannonball River, North Dakota, around April 15, 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 at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Walter Scott Sterland was born on April 16, 1851, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

Roman Rutten died on April 16, 1925, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Charles Stillman Ilsley (left) died on April 17, 1899, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was a Captain in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

August Bockerman died on April 17, 1904, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service with the band at Powder River.

William G. Hardy (left) died in San Francisco, California, on April 17, 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.

Frank W. Sniffin died at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, on April 17, 1931, and was buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 Lawrence 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 the 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 rode with Custer’s column. His body was not located, so he was presumed killed during the battle. He most likely was buried with the soldiers in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter (right) 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.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan was a Private in Company F who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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 Emil 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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

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 (left) 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.

Patrick Carey was born on April 14, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Dolan (left), who was also known as Thomas Brown, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 14, 1843. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John W. Sweeney died in Kentucky on April 14, 1884. He was a Private in Company F who participated in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Kanipe (above) was born on April 15, 1853, in Marion, North Carolina. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Walter Scott Sterland was born on April 16, 1851, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

Roman Rutten died on April 16, 1925, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Charles Stillman Ilsley died on April 17, 1899, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was a Captain in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

August Bockerman died on April 17, 1904, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

William G. Hardy (left) died in San Francisco, California, on April 17, 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.

Frank W. Sniffin died at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, on April 17, 1931, and was buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jacob Horner (left) married Catherine M. Stuart at Fort Totten, Queens, New York, on April 18, 1880. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James Ezekiel Porter (left) was born on February 2, 1847, in Strong, Maine. He was a First Lieutenant in Company I who rode with Custer’s column during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His body was not located, so he was presumed killed during the battle. He likely was buried on Last Stand Hill.

Dr. Henry Rinaldo Porter (right) 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.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan was a Private in Company F who was on detached service at the time of the battle.

William E. Robinson died in Seattle, Washington, on February 4, 1928, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

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 Emil 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 L. Crowley, who enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry as John Duggan, 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.

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

Henry Rinaldo Porter, M.D. (left) was born in New York Mills, New York, on February 3, 1848. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon during the Battle of the Little Bighorn 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.

Thomas James Finnegan died on February 4, 1923, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. (His surname is misspelled on the gravestone.) Thomas Finnegan 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, and was buried in the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. 

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 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.

James Harrison Smith (left) died on February 7, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Elm Lawn Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois. (His gravesite has not been added to the cemetery’s listing.) He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle; he was en route.

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 (right) 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.

George Armstrong Custer and Elizabeth Bacon were married by Rev. Dr. Boyd at the First Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Michigan, on February 9, 1864.