US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt Smith enlisted into the U.S. Army on September 6, 1875, in Boston, Mass. He was described as 5'6", gray eyes, brown hair with a fair complexion. His civilian occupation was shoemaker. On October 21, 1875, Smith arrived for duty at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory. He was assigned to Company M, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. Company M was commanded by Captain Thomas French. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company M was attached to Major Marcus Reno's Battalion. At the beginning of the Valley Fight, Reno's battalion attacked the southern end of a very large Lakota/Cheyenne village. As the soldiers rode closer to the village, Smith's horse bolted and charged towards the village. Some reports claim that Smith was never seen alive again. But soldiers who fought in the Valley Fight, reported that though Smith's horse bolted towards the villages, he was able to turn it around and return to the skirmish line. Smith was killed later in the fighting. After the battle Smith's remains were never listed as being identified. He was likely first buried where he had been found on the battlefield. In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill. On January 11, 1883, Smith's mother was awarded a survivor's pension.
US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt Smith enlisted into the U.S. Army on September 6, 1875, in Boston, Mass. He was described as 5'6", gray eyes, brown hair with a fair complexion. His civilian occupation was shoemaker. On October 21, 1875, Smith arrived for duty at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory. He was assigned to Company M, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. Company M was commanded by Captain Thomas French. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company M was attached to Major Marcus Reno's Battalion. At the beginning of the Valley Fight, Reno's battalion attacked the southern end of a very large Lakota/Cheyenne village. As the soldiers rode closer to the village, Smith's horse bolted and charged towards the village. Some reports claim that Smith was never seen alive again. But soldiers who fought in the Valley Fight, reported that though Smith's horse bolted towards the villages, he was able to turn it around and return to the skirmish line. Smith was killed later in the fighting. After the battle Smith's remains were never listed as being identified. He was likely first buried where he had been found on the battlefield. In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill. On January 11, 1883, Smith's mother was awarded a survivor's pension.
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