Stivers – Little Bighorn History

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Wilbur Fiske Blair died on October 2, 1891, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and was buried there in the Lewisburg Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Patrick Carey died in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1893, and was buried the following day in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank Braun died on October 4, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, during an operation on the gunshot wounds he received during the battle. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the face and left thigh during the fight on Reno Hill. He was originally buried at the Fort Abraham Lincoln Cemetery but was later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency, Montana.

Abram B. Brant (left) died at Camp J. D. Sturgis, Dakota Territory, on October 4, 1878, from a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was buried at Fort Meade National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Henry Melanchton Krusee, who was also known as Melanchton H. Crussy, was born on October 5, 1840, in New York City. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

On October 5, 1878, eight men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions on Reno Hill. Known as the water carriers, they were:

Black Fox (left) died on October 5, 1936, and was buried in the Holy Family U. S. Scouts Cemetery in Sanish, Mountrail County, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was not present during the battle because he was scouting.

Jacob Horner (right) was born in New York City on October 6, 1855. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

James Dougherty died on October 6, 1884, in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, and was buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery there. He was a Corporal in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

John Lattman died of a bleeding ulcer on October 7, 1913, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was buried in the Elk Vale Cemetery, east of Piedmont, South Dakota. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

Henry Petring (left) died in Brooklyn, New York, on October 7, 1917, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded in the eye and hip.

James Boggs died on October 7, 1921, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and was buried in the Shoops Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who received a medical discharge prior to the campaign.

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

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

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.

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.

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 (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.

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.

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

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Olans H. Northeg, whose birth name was Olaus Hansen Nordeeg, was born on June 26, 1841, in Nannestad, Akershus County, Norway. He was a Sergeant with Company G who was in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Cornelius Bresnahan died as a result of a railroad accident on June 26, 1901, and was buried in the North Cambridge Catholic Cemetery in North Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Breech Cloth (Miyapahe), a Minniconjou Sioux, was killed on June 26, 1876, while fighting on Reno Hill.

Black Wasichu or Black White Man (Wasicun Sapa), an Oglala Sioux, was wounded during the Custer fight and later died on June 27, 1876.

On June 28, 1876, Curley (Ashishishe) (left), a member of the Crow tribe, tried to tell Captain Marsh (right) about the battle. Curley was a Scout with Custer’s Column.

Thomas W. Stivers died in a gunfight on June 28, 1877, in Kingston, Kentucky, and was buried in the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for bringing water to the wounded during the battle.

John Joseph Hackett married Esther Smith on June 28, 1902. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in his left arm.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was born in York County, South Carolina, on June 29, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the valley and hilltop fights. He was killed at Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890.

William B. Crisfield (right) married Mary Pauline Blanchstone on June 29, 1865. They had three sons. He was a Private with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column. Several months after his death, his wife married Martin Personeus who also was a Private in Company L but was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

The steamer Far West received 54 wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 30, 1876.

Benjamin Hubert Hodgson (left) was born on June 30, 1848, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Second Lieutenant for Company B who was the Acting Adjutant for Reno’s Column. He was killed in the valley fight.

Conrad Farber married Jennie Jones on July 1, 1879. He was a private in Company I who was not present at the battle because he was serving as a carpenter in the quartermaster department barn in St. Paul, Minnesota.

George H. King died on July 2, 1876, in Pease Bottom, Montana Territory, where he was buried. In 1917, he was reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crow Agency. He was a Corporal with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in the left shoulder on the evening of June 25 and was later evacuated to the steamer Far West where he died.

William W. Lasley (left) died on July 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Patrick Carey died in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1893, and was buried the following day in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Henry M. Krusee, who was also known as Melanchton H. Crussy, was born on October 5, 1840, in New York City. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

Abram Brant (above) was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Reno Hill one day after his death. Seven others were also awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for their actions during the battle: Neil Bancroft, B enjamin C. Criswell, Charles Cunningham, David W. Harris, William M. Harris, Stanislas Roy, and Thomas W. Stivers.

Jacob Horner (right) was born in New York City on October 6, 1855. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service at Powder River, Montana.

John Lattman died of a bleeding ulcer on October 7, 1913, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was buried in the Elk Vale Cemetery, east of Piedmont, South Dakota. He was a Private with Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the battle. See also 7th Cavalry Troopers in South Dakota.

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

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

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) was born on October 9, 1843, in Kalida, Ohio. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company K during scouting and the hilltop fight.

P. Henry Bishley was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 9, 1846. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Adam Wetzel was born on October 9, 1846, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Hairy Moccasin (left) died in Lodge Grass, Big Horn County, Montana, on October 9, 1922, and was buried in Saint Ann’s Cemetery there two days later. He was a scout who rode with Custer’s Column and participated in the hilltop fight.

Frank Berwald (right) died on October 9, 1936, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

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

Black Wasichu or Black White Man (Wasicun Sapa), an Oglala Sioux, was wounded during the Custer fight and later died on June 27, 1876.

On June 28, 1876, Curley (Ashishishe) (left), a member of the Crow tribe, tried to tell Captain Marsh (right) about the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Scout with Custer’s Column.

John Hackett married Esther Smith on June 28, 1902. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in his left arm.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was born in York County, South Carolina, on June 29, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the valley and hilltop fights. He was killed at Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890.

William B. Crisfield (right) married Mary Pauline Blanchstone on June 29, 1865. They had three sons. He was a Private with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column. Several months after his death, his wife married Martin Personeus who also was a Private in Company L but was not present at the battle due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.

The steamer Far West received 54 wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 30, 1876.

John Eaton Tourtellotte (right) was born on July 3, 1833, in Windham, Connecticut. He was the Captain of Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service as an aide-de-camp and colonel on the staff of Gen. Sherman. He had been assigned to the 7th Cavalry in 1870, but he never joined them.

William Montell George, a Private in Company K, died aboard the Far West on July 3, 1876, of wounds he received during the hilltop fight. He was buried the following day beside the Yellowstone River in Montana Territory. His grave was moved some time later to higher ground.

Peter Orlando Barry died on July 3, 1907, in Morgan, Maryland, and was buried in the Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodbine, Carroll County, Maryland. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service with Terry’s headquarters.

Thomas Mower McDougall (left) died in Brandon, Vermont, on July 3, 1909, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was a Captain commanding Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Michael John Walsh died on July 3, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company H who was not present at the battle due to being confined after desertion.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Jacob Horner (right) was born in New York City on October 6, 1855. He was a Private in Company K who was not present during the battle due to detached service.

John G. Tritten was born on October 8, 1846, in Canton Rune, Switzerland. He was a Sergeant on the staff of the Seventh Cavalry who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

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

Edward Settle Godfrey (left) was born on October 9, 1843, in Kalida, Ohio. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company K during scouting and the hilltop fight.

P. Henry Bishley was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 9, 1846. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Adam Wetzel was born on October 9, 1846, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anson Merritt (left) was born in Stonington, Connecticut, on October 10, 1840. He was a Private in the band that stayed behind, so he was not in the battle.

Algernon Emory Smith (right) married Nettie B. Bowen on October 10, 1867. He was a First Lieutenant in command of Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

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

On June 28, 1876, Curley (Ashishishe), a member of the Crow tribe, tried to tell Captain Marsh about the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was a Scout with Custer’s Column.

John Hackett married Esther Smith on June 28, 1902. He was a Private in Company G who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded in his left arm.

George Daniel Wallace (left) was born in York County, South Carolina, on June 29, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant who commanded Company G during the valley and hilltop fights.

The steamer Far West received 54 wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 30, 1876.

William W. Lasley (right) died on July 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John Eaton Tourtellotte was born on July 3, 1833, in Windham, Connecticut. He was the Captain of Company G who was not present during the battle due to detached service.

Peter Orlando Barry died on July 3, 1909, in Morgan, Maryland, and was buried in the Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Woodbine, Carroll County, Maryland. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael John Walsh died on July 3, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. He was a Private with Company H who was not present at the battle due to confinement.

Happy Fourth of July!

William J. Logue was born on July 4, 1841, in New York, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Eugene L. Cooper, who used the alias George C. Morris, was born in Georgetown, Delaware, on July 4, 1851. He was a Corporal with Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Benjamin Franklin Churchill married Emily Valentine on July 4, 1880. He was a Quartermaster Packer who rode with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Lansing A. Moore married Sarah Belcher on July 4, 1881, at Belcher Ranch, Custer County, Montana. He was a Private in Company F who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Conrad Farber died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 29, 1896. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

The Bismarck Tribune
October 24, 1877, p. 4

A number of men who survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn were killed fifteen months later on September 30, 1877, during the battle at Snake Creek, Montana.

They were initially buried on the battlefield at Bear Paw Mountain but were later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on Crowe Agency, Montana.

James Montgomery Bell (left) was born on October 1, 1837, in Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. He was the First Lieutenant for Company D who was not present at the battle because he was on leave.

Joseph Milton died in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, on October 1, 1904. He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Wilbur F. Blair died on October 2, 1891, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and was buried there in the Lewisburg Cemetery. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Patrick Carey died in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1893, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Abram Brant (above) was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on Reno Hill one day after his death. Six others were also awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878, for their actions during the battle: