This Week in Little Bighorn History

Boy Chief (Hani-katilanikadil) (left), who was also known as Black Calf, died on June 4, 1922, in Armstrong, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column during the battle. He was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota.

Christopher Pendle (right) died on June 4, 1923, in Gardenville, Washington, and was cremated. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to his extra duty as a hospital attendant in the field.

Crawford Selby (left) was born on June 5, 1845, in Ashland County, Ohio. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight during the battle.

Michael John Walsh was born in Ireland on June 6, 1852. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle because he was under arrest in Louisiana following his desertion.

William M. Harris, a Medal of Honor recipient, died on June 6, 1885, in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, during a gunfight. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was buried in the Ballard/Jarman Cemetery in Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, and was later moved to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Red Star (left), who was also known as Strikes the Bear, died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states his death date as May 12, 1929, but the June date appears to be the accepted date among researchers. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out (Matokianapa), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died in a drunken brawl, according to Fred Girard, on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service. He was most likely in the hospital at Fort Abraham Lincoln, but he later claimed to have been guarding the wagon train at the Powder River camp.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was born on June 9, 1844, in New York City. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Joseph C. Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Elmer Babcock (left) was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Henry Moore Harrington (left) was born on April 30, 1849, in Albion, New York. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who served the Seventh Cavalry as a Second Lieutenant with Company C. He was killed with Custer’s Column, but his body was never positively identified.

Benjamin Beck died on April 30, 1910, in Camden, New Jersey, and was buried in Bethel Memorial Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present on the campaign.

John Roscoe Gray died in Worcester, Massachusetts, on April 30, 1915, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

William Ephraim Morris  (left) was born on May 1, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) died in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 1, 1919, and was buried at the Fort Rice Cemetery in North Dakota. He was a Sergeant in Company I but was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Henry August Lange died on May 1, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Carroll died in Chicago on May 2, 1910, and was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company B at the time of the battle, but he was not present there due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

May 5, 1877 â€“ Sitting Bull (left) led his people into Canada.

John C. Wagoner committed suicide on May 5, 1899, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was Chief Packer with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Frederick William Myers died in Washington, D.C. on May 5, 1900, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1891 for his actions at White River, South Dakota, while with the 6th Cavalry.

James E. Moore was born on May 6, 1849, in Hebron, Ohio. He was a Farrier with Company B who was with the pack train and later participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Merry Christmas!

Timothy Haley was born in County Cork, Ireland, on December 25, 1846. He was born on Christmas, and he died on New Year’s Eve (see last entry). He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edwin Butler Wight was born in Casco, Maine, on December 25, 1849. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Thomas W. Coleman was born on December 25, 1850, in Troy, New York. He was a Private in Company B who with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was married on December 25, 1877, to Josephine Lee McIlhargey (right) the widow of Private Archibald McIlhargey who was killed during the battle.

William Millard Caldwell (right) married Blanche Miller on December 25, 1887, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

John Sivertsen (left) married Anna Olson on December 25, 1889, in Douglas County, Wisconsin. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Wilford Harrison (left) died on December 25, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant for Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (right) was born on December 26, 1846, in Sligo, Ireland. 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, guarding the wagon train.

Max Hoehn (left) was born in Berlin, Germany, on December 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company L who stayed with the regimental papers at Powder River so he was not in the battle.

John Meyers died of consumption on December 26, 1877, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was the Saddler for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later wounded in 1877 during Gen. Miles’ fight with Chief Joseph.

John J. Fay and John Fox both died in Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1932. Fay and Fox both were buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. Both were Privates in Company D. Fay participated in the valley and hilltop fights, and Fox was in the hilltop fight.

Frank Hunter died on December 27, 1899, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Wilson McConnell died on December 27, 1906, in King, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Peter Thompson (left) was born in Markinch, County Fife, Scotland, on December 28, 1843. He was Private in Company C who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Three of the men who served with the Seventh Cavalry in 1876 were killed during the Battle of Wounded Knee in South Dakota on December 29, 1890:

Richard Winick Corwine was a Private in Company A on detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln during the battle. He was killed at Wounded Knee and buried in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, but he was reinterred in the Fort Riley Post Cemetery in September 1906.

Gustave Korn (left) was a Private in Company I and participated in the hilltop fight. He became the caretaker of Comanche, the only horse that survived the battle. He was killed at Wounded Knee and buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery, but he was reinterred in the Fort Riley Post Cemetery on December 17, 1892.

George Daniel Wallace (right) was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the battle and fought in the valley and hilltop fights. He died at Wounded Knee of bullet wounds to his head and abdomen and was buried on January 6, 1891, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Yorkville, South Carolina.

Crawford Selby (left) and Mary Elizabeth Beck divorced on December 30, 1874, after ten years of marriage. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

William Jackson (right) died at Cutbank Creek on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana on December 30, 1899, and was buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Browning, Montana.  He was a scout who participated in the valley fight.

David W. Lewis died on December 30, 1914, at the Government Hospital for the Insane in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery at Section 17, Site 18504. He was a Private in Company B who was confined at Fort Barrancas, Florida, at the time of the battle.

William Henry Miller died in San Antonio, Texas, on December 30, 1914, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was the Blacksmith for Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

William R. Oman was born on December 31, 1843, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Timothy Haley died on December 31, 1913, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Crawford Selby (left) was born on June 5, 1845, in Ashland County, Ohio. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Michael John Walsh was born in Ireland on June 6, 1852. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle because he was under arrest in Louisiana following his desertion.

William M. Harris, a Medal of Honor recipient, died on June 6, 1885, in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, during a gunfight. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was buried in the Ballard/Jarman Cemetery in Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, and was later moved to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Strikes the Bear (left) died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929, and was buried as Red Star in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states his death date as May 12, 1929, but the June date appears to be the accepted date among researchers. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out
 (Matokianapa), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died in a drunken brawl, according to Fred Girard, on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service. He was most likely in the hospital at Fort Abraham Lincoln, but he later claimed to have been guarding the wagon train at the Powder River camp.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left)was born on June 9, 1844, in New York City. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Joseph C. Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Elmer Babcock (left) was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford (left) was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William Ephraim Morris  (left) was born on May 1, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) died in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 1, 1919, and was buried at the Fort Rice Cemetery in North Dakota. He was a Sergeant in Company I but was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Henry August Lange died on May 1, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Carroll died in Chicago on May 2, 1910, and was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company B at the time of the battle, but he was not present there due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

May 5, 1877 â€“ Sitting Bull (left) led his people into Canada.

John C. Wagoner died on May 5, 1899, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was Chief Packer with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Frederick William Myers died in Washington, D.C. on May 5, 1900, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1891 for his actions at White River, South Dakota, while with the 6th Cavalry.

James E. Moore was born on May 6, 1849, in Hebron, Ohio. He was a Farrier with Company B who was with the pack train and later participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles Clinton Barnett was born on May 7, 1857, in Camden, Ohio. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

May 7, 1868 â€“ The Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Crow was concluded.

John Fitzgerald died in New York City on May 7, 1900, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens County, New York. He was the Farrier for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight.

Soldier (left), an Arikara Scout, died on May 7, 1921, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states, “Served his country as an Indian Scout.” He was with Reno’s Column, but he did not cross the river.

Good Elk (Wah-nee), an Arikara Scout who was also known as Red Bear, died in Nishu, North Dakota, on May 7, 1934, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota, where he is listed as Handsome Elk. He participated in the valley fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn.

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.

Merry Christmas!

Thomas W. Coleman was born on December 25, 1850, in Troy, New York. He was a Private in Company B who with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin B. Wight was born in Casco, Maine, on December 25, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was married on December 25, 1877, to Josephine McIlhargey, the widow of Private Archibald McIlhargey.

William Millard Caldwell (right) married Blanche Miller on December 25, 1887, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

John Sivertsen (left) married Anna Olson on December 25, 1889, in Douglas County, Wisconsin. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Wilford Harrison (right) died on December 25, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant for Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Note: New information is in bold.

Michael John Walsh was born in Ireland on June 6, 1852. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was under arrest in Louisiana following his desertion.

William M. Harris, a Medal of Honor recipient, died on June 6, 1885, in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, during a gunfight. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was buried in the Ballard/Jarman Cemetery in Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, and was later moved to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Strikes the Bear (left) died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929, and was buried as Red Star in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states his death date as May 12, 1929, but the June date appears to be the accepted date among researchers. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out
 (Matokianapa), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died in a drunken brawl, according to Fred Girard, on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service. He was most likely in the hospital at Fort Abraham Lincoln, but he later claimed to have been guarding the wagon train at the Powder River camp.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left)was born on June 9, 1844, in New York City. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Elmer Babcock (left) was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford (left) was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger (left) was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was at Powder River, Montana, when the battle took place.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River camp.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Jasper R. Marshall was born on April 26, 1852, in Spring Valley, Ohio. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

James P. McNally died in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, on April 26, 1893, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul. He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William Oman died on April 26, 1901, in Fargo, North Dakota, and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin Franklin Burdick was born on April 27, 1851, in Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private with Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Henry Armstrong “Autie” Reed (left) was born in Monroe, Michigan, on April 27, 1858. He was a civilian who was hired to accompany the Seventh on the campaign. He was the son of the half-sister of George, Tom, and Boston Custer, Lydia Custer Reed.

George Hose was born on April 29, 1850, in Hesse Cassel, Germany. He was a Corporal with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

 Morris Cain was born on April 29, 1857, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Sioux was signed on April 29, 1868.

Latrobe Bromwell died on April 29, 1923, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he became ill on Rosebud Creek and was sent back to the Powder River Depot. Those in his company who went to battle were killed.

Henry Moore Harrington (left) was born on April 30, 1849, in Albion, New York. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who served the Seventh Cavalry as a Second Lieutenant with Company C. He was killed with Custer’s Column, but his body was never positively identified.

Benjamin Beck died on April 30, 1910, in Camden, New Jersey, and was buried in Bethel Memorial Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present on the campaign.

John Roscoe Gray died in Worcester, Massachusetts, on April 30, 1915. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

William Ephraim Morris (right) was born on May 1, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) died in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 1, 1919, and was buried at the Fort Rice Cemetery in North Dakota. He was a Sergeant in Company I but was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Henry August Lange died on May 1, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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 of the Little Bighorn.

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 Swandale 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 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.

Thomas W. Coleman was born on December 25, 1850, in Troy, New York. He was a Private in Company B who with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Edwin B. Wight was born in Casco, Maine, on December 25, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

Michael Christopher Caddle (left) was married on December 25, 1877, to Josephine McIlhargey, the widow of Private Archibald McIlhargey.

William Millard Caldwell married Blanche Miller on December 25, 1887, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company B who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

John Sivertsen (left) married Anna Olson on December 25, 1889, in Douglas County, Wisconsin. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Thomas Wilford Harrison (right) died on December 25, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a Sergeant for Company D who was in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (left) was born on December 26, 1846, in Sligo, Ireland. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana, guarding the wagon train.

Timothy Haley was born on December 26, 1846, in Cork, Ireland. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

Max Hoehn (right) was born in Berlin, Germany, on December 26, 1854. He was a Private in Company L who stayed with the regimental papers at Powder River so he was not in the battle.

John Meyers died of consumption on December 26, 1877, at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery in Montana. He was the Saddler for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight. He was later wounded in 1877 during Gen. Miles’ fight with Chief Joseph.

John J. Fay and John Fox both died in Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1932. Fay and Fox both were buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. Both were Privates in Company D. Fay participated in the valley and hilltop fights, and Fox was in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Strikes the Bear (left) died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929, and was buried as Red Star in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states his death date as May 12, 1929, but the June date appears to be the accepted date among researchers. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out
 (Matokianapa), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died in a drunken brawl, according to Fred Girard, on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service.

Michael C. Caddle was born on June 9, 1844, in New York City. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle.

Elmer Babcock (left) was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (right) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford (left) was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day died in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.