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Post by MadHattr on Jun 7, 2005 8:08:13 GMT -6
Hello all, I'm a long time reader and first time poster but I suppose I'll cut right to the chase. I'm looking for any information available on lt. James Sturgis. He strikes me as being an interesting character of the 7th and I'd very much like some information on him other than the typical, his belongings were found in the village, fake grave set up for his mother, West Point class of 75, Father was the real Colonel. You know, basically the stuff every book he's mentioned in mentions. Thanks in advance.
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Post by Steve Wilk on Jun 7, 2005 8:35:56 GMT -6
Jack Sturgis' appointment to West Point was "at large". He had a hearing deficiency, a mild deafness. Consequently during drill he did not hear the instructor's commands. His father advised him to admit to his handicap and do his best, which he did and performed well. Jack's best subjects at the academy were English, Math, Philosophy and Law. His worst were French and Drawing. He compiled 628 demerits in four years; often for wandering off during guard duty, as well as tobacco related infractions. Jack loved his "backy", and his doorway was stained with tobacco juice while his quarters habituallysmelled of smoke. (No way I could've roomed with this guy! ) His father encouraged him to choose a slot in the artillery; he chose the cavalry just like his old man. He reported for duty at Ft. Rice on 29 Oct 1875. Katherine Gibson remembered a "...tall, slender figure, in a uniform so new that the buttons and shoulder straps gleamed like gold in the sun." He was quite well liked as well: "...one of the most loveable boys to come out of the United States Military Academy." Jack was assigned to Company M, later to make the fatal transfer to Co. E, which Lt. Gibson turned down, based on his wife's ominous forbodings concerning this. There is very little on James Sturgis' military career. After all, it lasted only eight months. The above information is from James Willert's article in the Summer 1997 Research Review.
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Sturgis
Jun 7, 2005 17:17:37 GMT -6
Post by MadHattr on Jun 7, 2005 17:17:37 GMT -6
Thank you for the quick response. Do you know where I might find a photograph of the lieutenant? Or should anyone even be so kind as to upload one I'd be most appreciative. I have seen his West Point photo and hopefully there are a few more pictures.
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Post by George Armstrong Custer on Jun 8, 2005 4:28:16 GMT -6
The only picture I can recall seeing of Jack Sturgis in uniform is his West Point portrait photo. If you think about it, he didn't have a lot of opportunity to make special visits to a photographer's studio after graduation - but if someone here knows of an example I'd be interested to know of it. Here's a picture of Jack Sturgis as a boy (at left by his father's side): Ciao, GAC
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Post by Steve Wilk on Jun 8, 2005 9:32:00 GMT -6
George, there is a photo of Lt. Sturgis in his dress uniform, seated with saber and helmet on table in background. It is in the Research Review article I cited earlier, Summer 1997. Photo is courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society, Villa Louis Historical Site.
Unfortunately I have not the means to post it here so if anyone has this issue (Diane?) and can post it, please do.
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Sturgis
Jun 8, 2005 16:05:43 GMT -6
Post by MadHattr on Jun 8, 2005 16:05:43 GMT -6
Steve, Is that the same picture that is seen in Michno's Mystery of E Troop?
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Sturgis
Jun 8, 2005 23:13:57 GMT -6
Post by Steve Wilk on Jun 8, 2005 23:13:57 GMT -6
Yes, that's the one.
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Post by George Armstrong Custer on Jun 9, 2005 6:18:10 GMT -6
I'd like to see this photograph (presumably taken at Ft. Lincoln?), can anyone scan and post a copy here?
Ciao, GAC
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Sturgis
Jun 9, 2005 21:03:33 GMT -6
Post by Diane Merkel on Jun 9, 2005 21:03:33 GMT -6
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Sturgis
Jun 10, 2005 17:23:48 GMT -6
Post by George Armstrong Custer on Jun 10, 2005 17:23:48 GMT -6
Thanks for that Diane! These links to an enlargeable version are the very thing for looking at the details of a picture.
BTW - do you happen to have access to and can you scan and post an article from an old edition of the Little Bighorn Associates Research Review?
Ciao, GAC
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Sturgis
Jun 11, 2005 19:02:45 GMT -6
Post by Walt Cross on Jun 11, 2005 19:02:45 GMT -6
Take a look at young Jimmy Sturgis in the photograph above, then go to page 5 of the "More Photographs..." thread and look at #7 of the West Point Cadets with Henry M. Harrington. Is that not Sturgis? Perhaps Diane can place them side by side on this page. He would have been an underclassman to Henry.
Walt
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Sturgis
Jun 11, 2005 23:00:21 GMT -6
Post by Steve Wilk on Jun 11, 2005 23:00:21 GMT -6
Walt, here we go again? The Research Review article on Sturgis (Summer 1997) has a West Point group photo with Jack Sturgis in it. Shows a group of cadets in front of a tent...Sturgis is in the middle leaning on the tent pole. This is the photo to compare with your #7 cadet. The photo is of uncertain date but caption says "probably 1873-75". If that is Sturgis in your Harrington photo, then it would have to be 1871 or '72. But given the rigid caste system at the academy, would an upper classman like Harrington be hanging out with a lower classman like Sturgis?
I do see some resemblance. The cap is tilted the same and the hair looks alike but the eyes seem to differ. But you may be right this time, Walt.
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Sturgis
Jun 11, 2005 23:43:46 GMT -6
Post by Walt Cross on Jun 11, 2005 23:43:46 GMT -6
Steve; Yes, of course again. This is what this forum is about, is it not? Harrington graduated in '72 and Sturgis came to West Point in '71 so they could have known one another for one academic year. If it is in fact Sturgis in the cadet photo that places its date either in the fall of '71 or the spring of '72. I'm sure there was interaction at times between upper and lower classmen and Sturgis would want the friendship of a senior. Harrington was from Michigan, a small town called Coldwater laying due west of Custer's home and about a half day's journey by rail. Without a doubt he knew of Custer, and wanting to serve with the famous Michiganer, what better than to pal around with the son of the actual 7th Cavalry commander? I've done a combo photo of the two pictures of Sturgis. Ironic, don't you think, that the remains of neither man were identified on the battlefield? Ironic also that Colonel Sturgis wanted Lieutenant Sturgis to be an artillery officer. Walt
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Sturgis
Jun 12, 2005 14:55:05 GMT -6
Post by Walt Cross on Jun 12, 2005 14:55:05 GMT -6
Thank you Diane! The curley hair, eyes, mouth, and chin say "Jimmy Sturgis" 3 or four years younger than his 7th Cavalry photograph. A little bit of baby fat makes his face appear more round. I think you can chalk one up for me Steve, and for the history books.
This makes me want to look into Colonel Sturgis' background with an eye to determining if he knew Henry Harrington or his father before Henry received his West Point appointment. Henry's father was an investor in railroads. The 7th Cavalry and some railroad entrepeneurs had a close relationship.
Walt
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Sturgis
Jun 12, 2005 22:28:49 GMT -6
Post by Steve Wilk on Jun 12, 2005 22:28:49 GMT -6
Not so fast, Walt. I don't see that much resemblance. We need the photo from the '97 Research Review article posted as well. The man in that photo ID'd as Sturgis looks more like the man than does the one in your photo. But I do realize Sturgis entered West Point at age 17; the RR photo is of him a few years older, say 19-21. A young man's appearance can change in those few years while he completes his growth.
Hopefully Diane can post the photo I speak of. I have not seen it in any other books.
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