US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt O'Connell enlisted into the US Army on April 20, 1865, in Baltimore, MD. He was described as 5'7", brown eyes, dark hair with a ruddy complexion. His civilian occupation was laborer On June 17, 1865, he was assigned to Company E, 4th US Cavalry Regiment at Macon, GA. When O'Connell's enlistment expired, he was discharged from the army on April 20, 1868, at Monroe, LA. He reenlisted on May 19, 1869, at Ft Leavenworth, KS. On May 28, 1869, O'Connell was assigned to Company L, 7th US Cavalry Regiment at Ft Lincoln, Dakota Territory. Company L was commanded by 1st Lt James Calhoun, who was the brother-in-law of LTC George A Custer and Captain Tom Custer. In February 1876, he was promised a 60 day furlough upon reenlisting. The furlough was approved to begin upon their return from an upcoming summer campaign, which would end at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn Company L was assigned to LTC Custer's battalion. O'Connell was killed during the fighting. After the battle most of Company L was found on Calhoun Ridge and the area between the ridge and Last Sand Hill. His body was never identified. It is likely that O'Connell's unidentified remains were first buried where they had been found. In 1881, all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill.
US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt O'Connell enlisted into the US Army on April 20, 1865, in Baltimore, MD. He was described as 5'7", brown eyes, dark hair with a ruddy complexion. His civilian occupation was laborer On June 17, 1865, he was assigned to Company E, 4th US Cavalry Regiment at Macon, GA. When O'Connell's enlistment expired, he was discharged from the army on April 20, 1868, at Monroe, LA. He reenlisted on May 19, 1869, at Ft Leavenworth, KS. On May 28, 1869, O'Connell was assigned to Company L, 7th US Cavalry Regiment at Ft Lincoln, Dakota Territory. Company L was commanded by 1st Lt James Calhoun, who was the brother-in-law of LTC George A Custer and Captain Tom Custer. In February 1876, he was promised a 60 day furlough upon reenlisting. The furlough was approved to begin upon their return from an upcoming summer campaign, which would end at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn Company L was assigned to LTC Custer's battalion. O'Connell was killed during the fighting. After the battle most of Company L was found on Calhoun Ridge and the area between the ridge and Last Sand Hill. His body was never identified. It is likely that O'Connell's unidentified remains were first buried where they had been found. In 1881, all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill.
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