Two Grave Stones

[PhillyBlair]

Last year I finally visited the battlefield after reading several dozen books about LBH over the years. Unfortunately I was there on the anniversary dates, so the traffic was high and I didn't have the chance to pursue things I intend to pursue on a second visit. One thing that struck me as odd were the two grave stones that are over the top of the ridge on LSH -- perhaps a bit toward the visitor center. I asked a ranger if there are theories as to who this might have been, or why they were not with the group at LSH and he said he knew of no theories. Does anyone know of any theories? They don't seem to be in line to have come from the Keogh sector. I can't recall reading anything about these two markers in any books I've read. Can anyone help with this?

[fred]

There is an interesting comment in Willert, LBH Diary, p. 451. In a footnote he writes: “Curiously, there are only 2 white markers along the north slope beyond Custer’s last position. However, on a map, drawn by CPT Benteen after the battle, he indicated that bodies were seen by him down the north slope. He noted on the map: ‘… Ravine off here containing 30 bodies which were not found nor buried.’” Willert cites Graham’s endpaper to the Reno Court (Abstract).

? Scott says Custer, 5 officers, & perhaps 40 EM lay on Custer/ Last Stand Hill.
• 28 names are documented:
* 14 PVTs
# Ygnatz Stungewitz (C) # Willis B. Wright (C)
# Anton Dohman (F) # Gustav Klein (F)
# William H. Lerock (F) # Werner L. Liemann (F)
# Edward C. Driscoll (I) # Archibald McIlhargey (I)
# John E. Mitchell (I) # John Parker (I)
# Francis T. Hughes (L) # Charles McCarthy (L)
# Oscar F. Pardee (L) # Thomas S. Tweed (L)
* 2 civilians
# Boston Custer (QM) # Autie Reed
* 1 surgeon
# Dr. George Lord (HQ) (a marker for Lord is on the SSL)
* 1 trumpeter
# Henry Voss (HQ)
* 4 NCOs
# SGM William Sharrow (HQ)
# 1SG Michael Kenney (F)
# SGT John H. Groesbeck (F)
# CPL William Teeman (F)

N.B.—SGT Robert Hughes’ (K) body was most likely the one found at the head of Deep Ravine, though there is a remote chance he was killed on Custer Hill. Supposedly identified by CPT McDougall.

* 6 officers
# GAC (HQ) # William Cooke (HQ)
# Tom Custer (C-HQ)
# Algernon Smith (E)
# George Yates (F) # William VanW. Reily (F)
• Presently, 52 markers are located on Custer Hill.

* Liddic presents his own description of where bodies were found [Vanishing Victory, p. 164].
• Grouped near Custer around the top of the knoll:
* LT Cooke (HQ) * PVT Driscoll (I) * PVT Parker (I)
* LT Smith (E) * SGT John Vickory (F)
* TMP Voss (HQ) * PVT McCarthy (L)
• Deep Ravine:
* SGT Hughes (K) * PVT Tim Donnelly (F)
• On a rise above Deep Ravine:
* CPL John Briody (F)
• Farthest N on the battlefield, opposite the present parking lot on the E side of the service entrance road:
* SGM Sharrow (HQ)
• Lower W side, down the slope from the monument, about 100 yards from GAC:
* Boston Custer * Autie Reed
• About 20 feet SE of GAC, on a hillside:
* Dr. Lord (HQ)

Take your pick. (And pardon the sloppiness of the post & the "bullet" markings.)

Best wishes,
Fred.

[Gumby]

I am sure that I read that SGM Sharrow's was one of the two markers north of LSH (Opposite side of the road). I had a hard time finding them last year. Don't remember reading whether the other body was identified.

[fred]

Bob--

That ties in w/ Liddic. Unfortunately, he only listed the 1.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[El Crab]

Do you mean the ones that you see to your left as you walk up from the visitor's center to the monument? These two below?

[PhillyBlair]

El Crab -- I believe those are the markers, but I don't recall them being so far from LSH. I'll dig out my video to check that out. If these are the only two markers between LSH and the visitor center then they must be the ones.

[elisabeth]

Fred --

No intention of hijacking the thread, but do you happen to know where Scott/Willey/Connor got their identification of McIlhargey and Mitchell on LSH? As far as I can see, they don't cite a specific source for that in They Died With Custer ...

[fred]

Elisabeth--

I'm not sure. I show them there in my notes, with an attribution to Scott (itself remarkable!), but nothing more. Remember too, they had been assigned to Reno & were sent back from the Ford A area w/ messages. I would almost think Cooke kept them in that DS role rather than send them back to I Company, just in case Custer needed to send more messages. That is also one of the reasons I believe Martin was in all likelihood the last messenger sent, putting a dent in some of Pennington's arguments. Obviously, it is a guess, but I think a pretty good one.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[elisabeth]

Thanks, Fred. It came up through a debate on another forum over who were the orderlies in Custer's battalion, and specifically, who was/were Keogh's. There's one source (in WOTW) that says Korn -- yes, your favourite man -- was; I was wondering whether, once he'd decamped, the dynamic duo could have taken over the orderly role. In which case their presence on LSH could be significant. But your idea about Cooke makes a lot of sense, especially with Martini having been told he needn't come back ...

Many thanks once again!

[Gumby]

I have read the Gustave Korn stories that his horse ran away with him and took him through the village but I have been skeptical to say the least. I have also read an account that he was with the pack train the whole time. I sent for his military records some years back but all they sent me were some initial enlistment documents. When I go to the National Archives next year I will get a complete set. Supposedly, he was put on charges by Sgt. Delacey but was cleared. I hope to find some record of the charges to see which story is true.

[Gumby]

I think I had trouble finding the markers because I thought they were closer to the road. I did find them though.

[PhillyBlair]

So back to my original question .... any theories as to why the two markers there? I don't recall reading anything about who they may have been, or why they may have been so far removed from LSH.

[fred]

Like it says in Posts # 1 & 2: SGM Sharrow is one of them. If I had to guess on the other, it would be PVT Stungewitz of C Company. I have read-- intimations only-- that Stungewitz was found some short distance north of LSH.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[PhillyBlair]

Thanks, Fred. I missed that in all the detail. I had time to go through it all now and it is very helpful.

So my question is -- with all the focus on every intricate detail and theory of the battle, why no speculation as to whey two soldiers (at least two soldiers) died there? Did they fall on the return from cemetery ridge (if there was such a return)? It would seem to enhance a theory or two if someone could speculate why they died there. What do you think?

[fred]

Stungewitz was a C Company trooper & if it was him, he certainly would not have been in the Cemetery Ridge group. He would have been a leftover from the Finley Ridge/ Calhoun Hill/ Battle Ridge rout. I was just at the battlefield & I am trying to put those 2 stones in perspective regarding LSH, but I would assume that the original grouping of men was wider & as the battle went on, consolidated somewhat. They could have been killed early in the final fighting or maybe they just stayed there & fought 'til the end. I would not attach too much significance to it-- at this point. (I say that only because I haven't done so!!)

It actually may be worth looking into w/ a "theory." That should start the snowball rolling!

Best wishes,
Fred.