Meier – Little Bighorn History

This Week in Little Bighorn History

George Anson Merritt (left) married Marguerite Willison on July 9, 1868, in Newport, Kentucky. They later had six children. He was a Private in the Band so he was not at the battle.

Daniel Newell (right) married Mary Harlow on July 9, 1882, in the Fort Meade Chapel near Sturgis, South Dakota. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Michael Keegan died on July 10, 1900, in Chicago, Illinois. He was originally buried in an unmarked grave in the Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois, and was reinterred in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois, on November 11, 1999. He was a Private in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River where he was guarding the company’s property.

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.

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.

Jacob Adams (right) was born on July 12, 1851, in Stark County, Ohio. He was a Private in Company H who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John H. Meier (left) 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 (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. See also https://lbha.org/?p=1724.

Henry Drago died on July 14, 1892, in Toledo, Ohio, and was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, perhaps in an unmarked grave. 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.

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

William M. Harris was married on January 22, 1880, to Mary Ann Tatum in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight during the battle for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota. During the campaign, he and Scabby Wolf were sent back to Fort Lincoln with mail and later returned with mail from the fort.

James McNamara, who was a Private in Company H and participated in the hilltop fight, died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on January 23, 1932, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy, New York.

James Garland Sturgis (left) was born on January 24, 1854, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column. Unlike most officers, he was likely buried in the mass grave on Last Stand Hill.

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Edward Garlick (left), who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough in England during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

John H. Meier (right), who was also known as Solomon Angst, was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Walter Oliver Taylor (left), a blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Rockland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1931. He was buried in the Northville Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Edward H. Pickard (right) was born on January 27, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Jacob Katzemeir was a Private in Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service at Powder River Depot. He died in Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, on January 27, 1880, and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery there. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Wilson McConnell was born on January 28, 1839, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Thomas Craycroft (left) was born in Springfield, Kentucky, on January 28, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company B, but he was on detached service during the battle. He was in St. Paul, Minnesota, buying horses.

John Martin (right) was born in Sola Cozalina, Italy, on January 28, 1853. He was a Trumpeter with Company H who rode the last message from William Winer Cooke to Frederick Benteen.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (left) married his second wife, Emma Helen Evenson, on January 28, 1882. He was the Staff Quartermaster Sergeant who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

John Pahl (right) died on January 28, 1924, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Michael Keegan died on July 10, 1900, in Chicago, Illinois. He was originally buried in an unmarked grave in the Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois, and was reinterred in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois, on November 11, 1999. He was a Private in Company L who was not present at the Battle at the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Powder River where he was guarding the company’s property.

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.

Edward Hall died in Albany, New York, on July 14, 1914, and was buried the next day in the Lake View Cemetery in Orwell, Vermont. 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.

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 at Fort Abraham Lincoln where he was in charge of the company property and garden.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the M edal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

James McNamara, who was a Private in Company H and participated in the hilltop fight, died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on January 24, 1932, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy, New York.

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Edward Garlick (left), who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough in England during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

John H. Meier (right), who was also known as Solomon Angst, was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Walter Oliver Taylo r (left), a blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Rockland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1931. He was buried in the Northville Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Edward H. Pickard (right) was born on January 27, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Jacob Katzenmaier was a Private in Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service at Powder River Depot. He died in Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, on January 27, 1880, and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery there.

Wilson McConnell was born on January 28, 1839, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (right) married his second wife, Emma Helen Evenson, on January 28, 1882. He was the Staff Quartermaster Sergeant who was on detached service at Powder River, Montana, during the battle.

John Pahl (left) died on January 28, 1924, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Uriah S. Lewis (right) 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 due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

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.

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

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River Depot.

Edward Garlick, who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough in England during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there.

John H. Meier, who was also known as Solomon Angst, was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Walter O. Taylo r, a blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Rockland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1931. He was buried in the Northville Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Edward H. Pickard (left) was born on January 27, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Jacob Katzenmaier was a Private in Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service at Powder River Depot . He died in Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, on January 27, 1880, and was buried in the Fort Meade National Cemetery there.

Wilson McConnell was born on January 28, 1839, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Pahl died on January 28, 1924, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

John Curtis Hall was born on January 29, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Uriah S. Lewis 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 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 H. Pickard died in Portland, Oregon, on January 30, 1928, three days after his 74th birthday (see his listing above). He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

J ohn H. Meier, who was also known as Solomon Angst, was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who fought in the valley and was wounded during the hilltop fight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Edward H. Pickard (left) was born on January 27, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts; He was a Private with Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

Jacob Katzenmaier was a Private in Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service. He died in Fort Meade, Dakota Territory, on January 27, 1880, and was buried in the Old Post Cemetery there.

Wilson McConnell was born on January 28, 1839, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Thomas Craycroft (left) was born in Springfield, Kentucky, on January 28, 1847. He was a First Lieutenant in Company B, but he was on detached service during the battle.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (right) married his second wife, Emma Helen Evenson, on January 28, 1882. He was the Staff Quartermaster Sergeant who was not present during the battle.

John Pahl died on January 28, 1924, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis. He was a Sergeant in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

John Curtis Hall was born on January 29, 1852, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Frederic Francis Girard (left), an interpreter for the cavalry, died on January 30, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was buried in the Saint Benedict’s Parish Cemetery in Avon, Minnesota.

Edward H. Pickard died in Portland, Oregon, on January 30, 1928, three days after his 74th birthday (see his listing above). He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Park there.

John Charles Creighton (right) 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.

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

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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John Shauer died in Seattle, Washington, on July 7, 1924, and was buried in the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

James Franklin Barsantee died on July 8, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt (left) married Marguerite Willison on July 9, 1868, in Newport, Kentucky. He was a Private in the Band so he was not at the battle.

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.

Thomas Joseph Callan (right) 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.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Henry Harrison Davis was born on January 20, 1846, in Bellvernon, Virginia. He was a Private in Company M who was in the hilltop and valley fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John J. Rafter was born in Lansingburgh, New York, on January 20, 1851. He was a Sergeant with Company K who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight during the battle.

August B. Siefert died on January 20, 1921, in Highland Park, Illinois, and was buried in the Fort Sheridan Cemetery in Highwood, Illinois. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Stephen Cowley (left) was married in County Mayo, Ireland, to Bridget Agnes Moore on January 21, 1871. He was a Private in Company D on detached service at Yellowstone Depot, so he was not present at the battle.

Joseph Kneubuhler died on January 21, 1917, in San Diego, California. He was a member of the band, so he was not present at the battle.

Christian C. Boisen died in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 21, 1923, and was buried at the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who was in the hilltop fight.

George H. Geiger was a Sergeant in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight. He showed extraordinary bravery when he risked his life to obtain water from the river for the wounded men, an act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on January 23, 1904, in Dayton, Ohio, and was buried in the National Cemetery there.

Left Hand, an Arikara Scout, was born in the Dakota Territory in 1829 and died on January 23, 1931. He was buried in the Saint Charles Catholic Cemetery in Saint Francis, South Dakota.

Otto Arndt was born on January 25, 1844, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a member of the band who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Edward Garlick, who was a First Sergeant in Company G on furlough during the battle, died in Sturgis, South Dakota, on January 25, 1931, and was buried at the Bear Butte Cemetery there.

John H. Meier, who was also known as Sonomon Angst, was born on January 26, 1846, in Hanover, Germany. He was a Private in Company M who was in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

Walter O. Taylor, a blacksmith with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, died in Rockland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1931. He was buried in the Northville Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.