Burials, Exhumations, and Reinterments by RICHARD G. HARDORFF Burials, Exhumations, and Reinterments by Richard G. Hardorff This comprehensive work chronicles the burials and exhumations which occurred on Custer Hill during the years from 1876 through 1881. Part I, “A Chronology of Custer Hill,” gives an in-depth background to the condition of the Custer dead that were discovered by Gen. Terry’s column and developments that happened shortly thereafter. Part II, “An Anthology on the Dead,”’ is a collection of literary passages which, in the context of this monograph, refers to the eyewitness statements regarding the slain casualties of the Battle of the Little Big- horn, June 25 and 26. This is a complete register of both the Custer and the Reno dead, especially the location where and the circumstances under which each casualty met his death. Every recorded reference by eyewitnesses 1s listed. Never before has such a comprehensive study been published and it is unlikely that anyone will ever possess the unique talents that author Hardorff brings to bear on the subject. Destined to become a reference work that will be included in every library that has Indian War material. (continued on back flap) Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2023 https://archive.org/details/custerbattlecasuO000hard 7° Montana and the West Series VII The glory of battle is exposed in stark reality by the shallow grave of an unidentified Seventh Cavalry trooper unearthed on Reno Hill in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Custer Battlefield National Monument The Custer Battle Casualties Burials, Exhumations and Reinterments by RICHARD G. HARDORFF UPTON AND SONS, PUBLISHERS El Segundo, California 2002 Copyright © 1989 Richard G. Hardorff All rights reserved including the nghts to translate or reproduce this work or parts thereof in any form or by any media LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER 89-50065 ISBN 0-912783-14-1 Second Printing, 1991 Third Printing, 2002 Dedicated to the memory of ROBERT S. ELLISON who had the foresight to preserve the Walter M. Camp research material for posterity Oto ali BS hei niin Woe US * Tapuli a Lae eer et > Aare Rganey Cory : vicrny ii@ <w Cae : erie, 7 7 <e a —_ Contents ParRT ONE: A Chronology of Custer Hill Introductory Note See Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIII Chapter IX Footnotes ILLUSTRATIONS Battlefield Views Officers who died at the Little aie Horn Part Two: An Anthology of the Dead Introduction sg Aa The Custer Casualties Map of the Casualties I. Commissioned Officers II. Enlisted Men III. Civilians The Reno Casualties Map of the Casualties Valley Fight I. Commissioned Officers II. Enlisted Men III. Citizens IV. Arikara Indians V. Unidentified Hill Fight I. Enlisted Men II. Civilians ABBREVIATED REFERENCES INDEX THE CUSTER BATTLE CASUALTIES Wieys they, . 160 . 168 . 169 re ga Acknowledgements The writing of history is in essence the act of gathering factual information, a process which success depends largely on the assistance rendered by personnel at various repositories. The patience exhibited by these professionals in complying with my many and varied requests have earned my admiration and enduring gratitude. In fact, I can state sincerely that this endeavor is the result of the combined efforts of librarians, curators, and archivists alike. The following individuals have been especially helpful in supplying data: Virginia Lowell Mauck, Lilly Library, Bloomington, Indiana; Eleanor M. Gehres, Denver Public Library; Dennis Rowley, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah; Jean R. McNiece, New York Public Library; John M. Carroll, Bryan, Texas; Marie T. Capps, West Point Military Academy Library; Beatrice A. Hight, Zimmerman Library, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tobie Miller, Swen Parson Library, DeKalb, Illinois; and Neil C. Mangum, Custer Battlefield National Monument. Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Renee for her continued assistance, support and encouragement throughout this project. RICHARD G. HARDORFF DeKalb, Illinois July 1989 = - 5 2 a oe ; © i as) os = fie — > 2 re ~ ; =. oe Veet - i. s wT @ ar ( ne oe a a ie ri 4 -: =i at - <> & b ated, " tJ? tmed’) eruibh) $4 Al Aneel , Swine we So Apna t gherd Deer a — Py Tren! & et: rey ? om a-aAwt ‘a wa ae Peet) 2 ae wee ane neste, 20) © 4 ara -Pauia =! Sf i420 wrest aes i cepa mate i> 5 Soe col Mak alg fee ) Awe) sete ae ~~. atatone: breaking ws enka reg 34, iia?) 4S ten al eeeasen eae! 23 2 tihivs i Ot” Gat x, >| ok Part One A Chronology of Custer Hill =<" -. SETS i= i it 1si2u Io vgalee ? _ eta say a Introductory Note The following work attempts to chronicle the burials and exhumations which occurred on Custer Hill during the years from 1876 through 1881. Although every effort was made to gather the facts — an endeavor spanning some twenty years — it is indeed possible that some erroneous data and historical misconceptions might have been per- petuated. For that reason, the author would like to encourage any and all constructive comments which might further the historical accuracy of this monograph. Please direct comments in care of the publisher. RICHARD G. HARDORFF 13 HA VIG Dirdnl Vian 6) ’ ol! ¢peeyiasy ti) SUTRShg eae vee » gylaas Weyer ‘ea lepoes Cake anni 60. sn! — » Aree «eh) seme se hm NSeaty De) > Ce pee 1). VON ey SER) $40 PusecAl a] = i> (oa Sita ip=> poucrqusres si a ae uc: ti! Glew “aie! St) ci (bt, SH Ae 719 (209 ore. ws Posies: Gi Ran tea naidcighsitl > iS@ueogt ot) pure ines aie Patil 7 rae alpen 00s bn Ha SD 1) Sanit Poles Svwaqncek oF A Chronology of Custer Hill I On June 25, 1876, a combined force of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians repulsed an attack on their village at the Little Bighorn River by a battalion of Seventh U.S. Cavalry commanded by Major Marcus A. Reno. Routing Reno’s small force with heavy casualties to a wind-swept bluff overlooking the river, the exultant warriors next concen- trated their attack on General George A. Custer’s command, annihilating his five companies to the last man several miles to the north. Rumors of this disastrous defeat had reached Colonel John Gibbon’s Montana Column which was then enroute to join Custer at the Little Bighorn. On the morning of June 27, Gibbon’s command had reached the present site of Crow Agency, Montana. At this location, the tortuous streambed of the river cut far across the valley, forcing the column to march over the rough terrain near the western foothills. Rounding the wooded bend, a beautiful valley opened up to view, its picturesque scene enhanced by two gleaming white teepees on the benchland across from present Deep Ravine. Examination of the contents of the lodges revealed the slain bodies of thirteen warriors who, laid out in a circle, were dressed in all the fineries known to their race. An equal number of ponies had been slain along the outside perimeter of both lodges, while hastily abandoned camp equipment lay scattered everywhere. Here and there the 15 16 THE CUSTER BATTLE CASUALTIES a Se cae sein net Noh ae 8 ec frameworks of lodge poles remained like a skeleton, indicating where the numerous camp circles had stood. Approaching the center of this huge encampment, the advance guard discovered three poles standing upright ina triangle, each covered by an inverted kettle. Further investigation revealed that the kettles were inverted over the decapitated heads of Troopers John McGinnis, John Armstrong, and an unknown, facing each other in an endless stare. On the river bank lay another soldier, his facial features obliterated, making identification impossible. Some of the relics found in the valley indicated that several of Custer’s officers had fallen casualty. The bloody underclothing of Lieutenant Jack Sturgis left little to the imagination, while Lieutenant Jim Porter’s buckskin jacket, containing a bloody hole near the side of the heart, equally spoke a tale. To add to the gravity of the situation, a reconnaissance report seemed to confirm the fear of Custer’s annihilation. Colonel Gibbon recorded: The officer in charge of the mounted infantry party, in the hills to the north of us, rode up to where General Terry and I sat upon our horses, and his voice trembled as he said, “‘I have a very sad report to make. I have counted one hundred and ninety-seven dead bodies lying in the hills!’’ ““White men?” was the first question asked. “Yes, white men.’’ A look of horror was upon every face, and for a moment no one spoke.! To the relief of everybody with Gibbon’s command, the surviving remnant of the Seventh Cavalry was soon discovered on the bluffs farther south; and while the departmental commander, General Alfred H. Terry, and his staff proceeded immediately to Reno’s entrenchments, Colonel Gibbon took time to record his impressions of the battlefield in the valley. Nearly the whole valley was black and smoking with the fire which had swept over it, and it was with some difficulty I could