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Post by Diane Merkel on Aug 17, 2016 15:45:45 GMT -6
From the Billings Gazette: When Mike Lewis, a reporter with the Fishguard County Echo newspaper in Wales, arrives at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in October, he’ll be delivering letters from the only Welshman killed in the June 1876 battle.
What he’ll be missing is a photograph of Sgt. William B. James of E Company, and that’s why he’s reaching out to Gazette readers in advance of his journey to Montana.
“I know James had (a small photograph) which he sent back home to his brother in Wales,” Lewis said in an email. “It was probably taken by Orlando Goff, the legendary Fort Abraham Lincoln post photographer at the time.” Fred and I corresponded with Mike Lewis last December, but I'm not sure we were of much help. If anyone has a collection of Goff photographs, perhaps William James is among them. Article: billingsgazette.com/news/local/wanted-a-photo-of-the-only-welshman-killed-during-the/article_512077e5-c29f-59c1-adb8-e25e077a2c13.htmlDiane |
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jul 24, 2017 8:28:18 GMT -6
Mike Lewis sent the photo below. He is wondering if this might be William James. A positive identification will be difficult, but is there a reason to exclude him? Is the kepi correct for pre-battle 7th calvarymen? Has this photo been identified as someone else? Any help will be appreciated.
Diane
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Post by fred on Jul 27, 2017 15:25:01 GMT -6
The problem with this photo, Diane, is the subject is wearing the regimental crossed sabers with a B Company designation. William Batine James was never in B Company: only E.
Best wishes,
Fred.
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jul 27, 2017 16:08:03 GMT -6
Fred,
I told Mike I thought it looked like a "B" but I wasn't sure. According to Appendix A in your Participants book, no one in Company B was from Wales.
I would love to put a name to this photo. If anyone has an idea who it is, please post.
Thanks, Fred (for this and your PM).
Diane
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Post by fred on Jul 28, 2017 7:21:56 GMT -6
I would love to put a name to this photo. If anyone has an idea who it is, please post. Diane, I hate to stereotype, but he has that long English jaw. I would start from there and eliminate. The Swanson book may be a good start, eliminating Criswell, Shea, Callan, Burkina, Fowler, and possibly Brown... although the latter has that similar jaw... and was from Scotland. Interesting stiff. Please stay well. Very best wishes, Fred. |
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Post by brahms4 on Jul 29, 2017 7:19:41 GMT -6
He looks a lot like the late actor Fred Gwynne to me!
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Post by Diane Merkel on Feb 9, 2018 9:57:32 GMT -6
The quest for a photo of William James continues and now a plaque may be erected in his honor in Wales.
VILLAGERS in Dinas Cross are considering plans to erect a memorial plaque to the only Welshman killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn – better known as Custer’s Last Stand.
Sgt William Batine James, who was born in 1849 and raised at Pencnwc Farm, Dinas, was among 261 officers, men and scouts of the US Seventh Cavalry under the command of Lieut-Col George Custer who were wiped out by thousands of Indians on 25 June, 1876.
Following a talk on James by County Echo reporter Mike Lewis at Yr Hen Ysgol last Friday, consideration is now being given to erecting a plaque at the venue. Article: www.countyecho.co.uk/article.cfm?id=112550&headline=Plaque%20for%20soldier%20killed%20at%20Custer%E2%80%99s%20Last%20Stand§ionIs=news&searchyear=2018
Diane
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Post by bobthetog on Feb 20, 2018 20:07:22 GMT -6
I recently recieved an e-mail from Mike Lewis informing me that WILLIAM BATINE JAMES was my paternal great grandfathers cousin.
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Jenny
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Post by Jenny on Dec 31, 2022 21:14:51 GMT -6
Sorry to keep resurrecting old threads Diane, but did anyone ever come up with a genuine photo of James? I'd love to see it for my painting series. II've already painted him and it would be interesting to see how close I was. P.S., the Billings Gazette link is subscriber only.  I wonder if anyone ever contributed a photo? |
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Post by tubman13 on Jan 9, 2023 7:14:45 GMT -6
I would go with Fred's statements.
Regards,
Tom
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Jenny
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Post by Jenny on Jan 29, 2023 21:10:37 GMT -6
Well here he is, according to my mind:
Image removed because it doesn't look a thing like him!
J
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Post by Kentishman on Jan 30, 2023 6:03:25 GMT -6
As the person who first tracked down William Batine James’ birth certificate to verify his true identity and also publish his biography in the Custer Association of Great Britain’s newsletter, ‘The Crow’s Nest’, as early as 2004, naturally I have been following this thread, and Mike Lewis’s additional research, with some interest. While clearly Jenny is a talented artist, and is not claiming it to be an exact likeness, her portrayal of James may not be an accurate one, i.e., on enlistment he is described as having “light hair and a light complexion,” aged 27 (born in 1849) at the time of the battle. An interesting topic, indeed.
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Jenny
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Post by Jenny on Jan 31, 2023 11:24:39 GMT -6
As the person who first tracked down William Batine James’ birth certificate to verify his true identity and also publish his biography in the Custer Association of Great Britain’s newsletter, ‘The Crow’s Nest’, as early as 2004, naturally I have been following this thread, and Mike Lewis’s additional research, with some interest. While clearly Jenny is a talented artist, and is not claiming it to be an exact likeness, her portrayal of James may not be an accurate one, i.e., on enlistment he is described as having “light hair and a light complexion,” aged 27 (born in 1849) at the time of the battle. An interesting topic, indeed. Oh dear, thanks! I was using an incorrect reference! I'll give it another try. Do you know if there are any photos of him anywhere, or of male relatives? Thanks for the post. Jenny |
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Post by Kentishman on Feb 6, 2023 3:24:44 GMT -6
As far as I am aware there is no known photograph of William B. James, or a close relative.
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Jenny
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Post by Jenny on Sept 5, 2023 19:53:03 GMT -6
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I wonder if anyone ever contributed a photo?