Post by Lawtonka on Apr 14, 2006 19:22:57 GMT -6
This marks the position of a fallen soldier from June 25, 1876 down near the Reno Skirmish Line. In 1925 Henry Weibert (10 years old) along with his father found the remains of a soldier here while plowing. He said it was all there but the skull.
I think I remember either reading it or hearing it from Jason Pitsch that the marker was moved to this location from the middle of the field to get it out of the way. The present location is at the edge of the field next to the road.
Weibert assumed the skull was one of those found in the Indian camp after the battle. I think the skull may have been collected when they moved remains up to Custer HIll.
I have discovered that in Civil War graves on Folly Island in Charleston, SC, skulls were missing from soldier in the 55th Mass who were reburied in the National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC. This was accounted for the bounty that was paid for recovery of their remains. A skull was all the proof needed to collect the bounty.
Of course, I don't think the reburial crew were afforded this benefit, but, the bone collectors may have been satisfied to have just recovered the skull and too lazy to pick up the rest of the skeleton for reburial at the monument.
Near this location are the markers for Lonesome Charley Reynolds and Donald MacIntosh. Although a permanent marker was not erected, Jason used to have a two wooden crosses near his museum. One was where he found the remains he thought to have been Miles Ohara.
Then there is the Unknown tomb located at Garryowen. There may be more, I think I have read where some remote markers have disappeared.