US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. McElroy was born in Neagh Ireland. On May 24, 1870, McElroy enlisted into the US Army at New York, NY. He was described as 5'5", blue eyes, dark hair with a ruddy complexion. His civilian occupation was laborer. On August 25, 1870, McElroy was assigned to Company G, 1st US Infantry Regiment at Ft Porter, NY. He was assigned as the company fifer. On July 11, 1871, he deserted from Ft Porter and was apprehended in Buffalo, NY on August 18, 1871. McElroy was court-martialed and sentenced to 8 months of confinement. On July 2, 1875, he was discharged at the expiration of his enlistment at Ft Randall, Dakota Territory. On July 3, 1875, McElroy reenlisted at Ft Randall. He was assigned to Company E, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. McElroy was the company bugler. Company E was known as the Gray Horse Troop. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company E was assigned to Custer's Battalion. McElroy was killed during the battle. His remains were never identified. It is possibly that he died on the south skirmish line or near the Deep Ravine, where many soldiers from Company E were found after the battle. McElroy's unidentified remains were likely buried where they were found. In 1881, all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on top of Last Stand Hill. McElroy was survived by his wife, Nora, and a son, Thomas Francis. They were awarded a pension on November 1, 1878. She later married John Furey, Company E, 7th US Cavalry. Thomas assumed his step-father's last name and moved to Monolith CA.
US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. McElroy was born in Neagh Ireland. On May 24, 1870, McElroy enlisted into the US Army at New York, NY. He was described as 5'5", blue eyes, dark hair with a ruddy complexion. His civilian occupation was laborer. On August 25, 1870, McElroy was assigned to Company G, 1st US Infantry Regiment at Ft Porter, NY. He was assigned as the company fifer. On July 11, 1871, he deserted from Ft Porter and was apprehended in Buffalo, NY on August 18, 1871. McElroy was court-martialed and sentenced to 8 months of confinement. On July 2, 1875, he was discharged at the expiration of his enlistment at Ft Randall, Dakota Territory. On July 3, 1875, McElroy reenlisted at Ft Randall. He was assigned to Company E, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. McElroy was the company bugler. Company E was known as the Gray Horse Troop. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company E was assigned to Custer's Battalion. McElroy was killed during the battle. His remains were never identified. It is possibly that he died on the south skirmish line or near the Deep Ravine, where many soldiers from Company E were found after the battle. McElroy's unidentified remains were likely buried where they were found. In 1881, all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on top of Last Stand Hill. McElroy was survived by his wife, Nora, and a son, Thomas Francis. They were awarded a pension on November 1, 1878. She later married John Furey, Company E, 7th US Cavalry. Thomas assumed his step-father's last name and moved to Monolith CA.
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