This Week in Little Bighorn History

Jacob Huff was born on October 22, 1850, in Zweibrucken, Bavaria, Germany, the son of Jacob and Katharina Huff. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Edmond Burlis (left) died in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 22, 1924, and he was buried in the Park Lawn Cemetery in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (right) was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions during the battle. He was a Private in Company B who traveled with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

David Manning died in New York City on October 25, 1910, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) was born on October 27, 1837, in Besancon, France. He was the First Lieutenant for Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) married Grace Cory Blum on October 27, 1875. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company D who was on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

William A. Curtiss died in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on October 27, 1888. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Bernard O’Neill died on October 27, 1896, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in the Band, so he was at the Powder River depot rather than at the battle.

Lewis Merrill (left) was born in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1834. He was a Major on the staff who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Frank K. Lombardy was born on October 28, 1848, in Naples, Italy. He was a Private in the Band, so he was at the Powder River depot rather than at the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column during the battle.

John B. McGuire, Jr.(left) was born in Livermore, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in his right arm during the hilltop fight.

Nickolas Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was buried in the West Park Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln caring for the company’s property and garden.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service, tending the company garden at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

Richard Winick Corwine was born in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1844. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was later killed at Wounded Knee.

David Cooney died on July 20, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who rode with the pack train and was wounded in his right hip during the hilltop fight.

On July 20, 1881, Sitting Bull (left) surrendered to U.S. federal troops.

William August Marshall was born in Germany on July 21, 1851. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

The Minneapolis Tribune reported on July 21, 1882, that “. . . Francis J. Kennedy (right) and Mary E. Hogan . . . received legal permission yesterday to marry.” He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John A. Reed (left) died on July 21, 1897, at Fort Sisseton, South Dakota. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Eaton Tourtellotte (left) died on July 22, 1891, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. A cenotaph for him is at the Tourtellotte Cemetery in Thompson, Connecticut, but he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service as an aide-de-camp to General Sherman.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Henry Charles Weihe, who was also known as Charles White, died of heart disease on October 23, 1906, at Fort Meade, South Dakota, and was buried in the Old Post Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded. See 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota for his obituaries and pension file.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Private in Company B who traveled with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

David Manning died in New York City on October 25, 1910, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) was born on October 27, 1837, in Besancon, France. He was the First Lieutenant for Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) married Grace Cory Blum on October 27, 1875. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company D who was on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

William A. Curtiss died in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on October 27, 1888. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Bernard O’Neill died on October 27, 1896, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in the Band, so he was at the Powder River depot rather than at the battle.

Lewis Merrill (left) was born in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1834. He was a Major on the staff who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Frank K. Lombardy was born on October 28, 1848, in Naples, Italy. He was a Private in the Band, so he was at the Powder River depot rather than at the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column during the battle.

John B. McGuire, Jr.(left) was born in Livermore, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in his right arm during the hilltop fight.

Nickolas Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was buried in the West Park Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln caring for the company’s property and garden.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service, tending the company garden at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

 Richard Winick Corwine was born in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1844. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was later killed at Wounded Knee.

David Cooney died on July 20, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who rode with the pack train and was wounded in his right hip during the hilltop fight.

On July 20, 1881, Sitting Bull (left) surrendered to U.S. federal troops.

William August Marshall was born in Germany on July 21, 1851. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

The Minneapolis Tribune reported on July 21, 1882, that “. . . Francis J. Kennedy (left) and Mary E. Hogan . . . received legal permission yesterday to marry.” He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John A. Reed (right) died on July 21, 1897, at Fort Sisseton, South Dakota. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Eaton Tourtellotte (left) died on July 22, 1891, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. A cenotaph for him is at the Tourtellotte Cemetery in Thompson, Connecticut, but he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service as an aide-de-camp to General Sherman.

 Owen Hale (left) was born on July 23, 1843, in Troy, New York. He was a Captain in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service on recruiting duty in Louisiana.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Private in Company B who traveled with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

David Manning died in New York City on October 25, 1910, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) was born on October 27, 1837, in Besancon, France. He was the First Lieutenant for Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) married Grace Cory Blum on October 27, 1875. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company D who was on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

William A. Curtiss died in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on October 27, 1888. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Bernard O’Neill died on October 27, 1896, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in the Band, so he was at the Powder River depot rather than at the battle.

Lewis Merrill (left) was born in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1834. He was a Major on the staff who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Frank K. Lombardy was born on October 28, 1848, in Naples, Italy. He was a Private in the Band, so he was at the Powder River depot rather than at the battle.

William Millard Caldwell (left) died on October 30, 1913, in Clearfield, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Old Town Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Levi Madison Thornberry and Linnie Morris were married on July 11, 1899, in Manetta, Ohio, and they had a son, Levi Gordon Thornberry who was born in 1900. The elder Thornberry was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

William Heyn (left) was born on July 12, 1848, in Bremen, Germany. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

John H. Meier (right) died on July 12, 1917, in Washougal, Clark County, Washington, and was buried in the Washougal Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was born in County Louth, Ireland, on July 13, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions at the Little Bighorn.

James Wilber Darcy died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 1920. He was buried three days later in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery under the name James Wilber. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded in the left leg on June 26, 1876.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service in the company garden at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Henry Drago died on July 14, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery (also known as St. Mary’s Cemetery) there. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln where he was in charge of the company property and garden.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

David Manning died in New York City on October 25, 1910, and was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) was born on October 27, 1837, in Besancon, France. He was the First Lieutenant for Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) married Grace Cory Blum on October 27, 1875. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company D who was on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

William A. Curtiss died in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on October 27, 1888. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Bernard O’Neill died on October 27, 1896, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Lewis Merrill (left) was born in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1834. He was a Major on the staff who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Frank K. Lombard was born on October 28, 1848, in Naples, Italy. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

William Millard Caldwell died on October 30, 1913, in Clearfield, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Old Town Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Anton Seibelder was born in Lichtenvoorde, Germany, on October 31, 1828. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Boston Custer (left) was born on October 31, 1848, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was the brother of George and Thomas Custer who was serving as a Guide on the campaign.

James Madison DeWolf (right) married Fannie J. Downing on October 31, 1871. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon for the staff who was killed during the retreat from the valley.

William Thomas Craycroft (left) died on October 31, 1906, in Dallas, Texas, and was buried in West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. He was an 1869 graduate of the United States Military Academy who was a First Lieutenant in Company B. He was not present at the battle due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

History Mystery: This week there are questions concerning  James Wilber Darcy whose death is noted below. His surname had several spellings, and he also used the alias James Wilber. In fact, his gravestone (left) used his alias while his interment records (below) used James Darsey/Darcy. References compiled by Ron Nichols and Roger Williams listed him as Darcy/Darsey; Fred Wagner and Walter Camp listed him as Wilber. Another unusual fact about his gravestone is that it listed him as a participant in the Spanish-American War rather than the Indian Wars. He was admitted to the Soldiers’ Home in 1877 due to being partially paralyzed by wounds received during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, so he was likely confined there for over 40 years. Questions: Why does his gravestone identify him by his alias and list the Spanish-American War? Which name is the best to use, Darcy or Wilber?

Please leave a comment if you would like to offer opinions or email the Little Bighorn History Alliance.

Now for this week’s milestones . . . .


William Heyn (left) was born on July 12, 1848, in Bremen, Germany. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

John H. Meier died on July 12, 1917, in Washougal, Clark County, Washington, and was buried in the Washougal Memorial Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Thomas Joseph Callan

Thomas Joseph Callan (left) was born in County Louth, Ireland, on July 13, 1853. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 24, 1898, for his actions at the Little Bighorn.

James Wilber Darcy died at Barnes Hospital in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 1920, and was buried three days later in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded in the left leg on June 26, 1876.

William O’Mann was born on July 14, 1849, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Henry Drago died on July 16, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery (also known as St. Mary’s Cemetery) there. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John B. McGuire, Jr.(left) was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Nikolaus [Nickolas] Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was buried in the West Park Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) was born on October 27, 1837, in Besancon, France. He was the First Lieutenant for Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) married Grace Cory Blum on October 27, 1875. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company D who was on scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

William A. Curtiss died in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on October 27, 1888. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lewis Merrill (left) was born in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1834. He was a Major on the staff who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Bernard O’Neill died on October 27, 1896, in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Frank K. Lombard was born on October 28, 1848, in Naples, Italy. He was a Private in the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

William Millard Caldwell died on October 30, 1913, in Clearfield, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Old Town Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Anton Seibelder was born in Lichtenvoorde, Germany, on October 31, 1828. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Boston Custer (left) was born on October 31, 1848, in New Rumley, Ohio. He was the brother of George and Thomas Custer who was serving as a Guide on the campaign.

James Madison DeWolf (right) married Fannie J. Downing on October 31, 1871. He was the Acting Assistant Surgeon for the staff who was killed during the retreat from the valley.

William Thomas Craycroft (left) died on October 31, 1906, in Dallas, Texas, and was buried in West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. He was an 1869 graduate of the United States Military Academy who was a First Lieutenant in Company B. He was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Frederick Braendle was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on November 1, 1855. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Yellowstone Depot. According to Men with Custer, Braendle was also known as Wilhelm Friedrich Braendle, William Brandle, and William Cummings.

James E. Moore died on November 1, 1894, in Union, South Carolina. He was a Farrier with Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Camillus DeRudio (left) died on November 1, 1910, in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery. He was a First Lieutenant in Company E who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Kane died in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 1879, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the battle due to illness.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William O’Mann was born on July 14, 1849, in Hamilton County, Indiana. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Thomas W. Stivers was born on July 15, 1850, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight and was one of the water carriers who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Henry Drago died on July 16, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery (also known as St. Mary’s Cemetery) there. He was a Sergeant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Nolan died on July 17, 1893, in Newburgh, New York. He was a Corporal in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Gustave Mathey (left) died in Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 1915, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was the First Lieutenant of Company M who commanded the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Jonathan J. Callahan was born on July 18, 1853, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Corporal in Company K who was killed with Custer’s Column.

John B. McGuire, Jr., (right) was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1854. He was a Private in Company C who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Nikolaus [Nickolas] Klein died on July 18, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Daniel Alexander Kanipe (left) died in Marion, North Carolina, on July 18, 1926, and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

John Weiss died on July 18, 1927, in Durango, Colorado, and was buried in the Greenmount Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Richard Winick Corwine was born in Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1844. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

David Cooney died on July 20, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory. He was originally buried in the Post Cemetery there and was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Private in Company I who rode with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight.