|
Post by ericjk on Sept 3, 2018 1:01:47 GMT -6
Hello, My name is Eric and this is my first post. I didn't want to stick this in the "Sole Survivors" forum because my intention is to add to his existing public record and get to his real story. He was my father's paternal grandmother's uncle (to the best of my recollection). What I know about him (according to my uncle) is that he was a mule skinner. Then there's the claim that came from somewhere about him being the sole-survivor, which is an erroneous claim that somehow made it to his obit. What I have for you is a scan of a document that is currently in my sister's possession that was created by Pennsylvania author M. I. McCreight, also known as Tchanta Tanka. It is a picture of William Caldwell shaking hands with Chief Eta Wasta. This was found in my grandfather's home after he died, along with the obituary. I contacted the Friends of the Battle of Little Bighorn Battlefield years ago and got the scan below from the book Hammer, Kenneth M. Men With Custer: Biographies of the 7th Cavalry Crow Agency, Montana: Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association, 1995. The pension record came from a family search that I performed. A little lightroom tweaking brings out more of Eta Wasta's face for the first time.
|
|
|
Post by ericjk on Nov 25, 2018 16:28:38 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by tubman13 on Nov 26, 2018 6:19:32 GMT -6
The below is from the June Returns of the Regiment. It shows he was not present, but was accounted for, which you have. He like 2nd Lt.(later General) Hugh Scott who served with honor with the 7th Cavalry and both were attached to the regiment. Scott was attached after his graduation from WP, so not on June Returns. Caldwell did participate in the remainder of the Centennial Campaign and maybe in on a portion of the Nez Perce campaign, the following year.
Caldwell, William M. B Private Feb 22, 1857 Pennsylvania Laborer March 23, 1876 Not present - on detached service - Died Oct 30, 1913 Clearfield PA
Had he been present he would have been with the pack train, serving under this guy.
McDougall, Thomas Mower B Captain May 21, 1845 Fort Crawford WI May 10, 1866 Commanding Company B with pack train - In hilltop fight
|
|