US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt Van Sant enlisted into the US Army on September 5, 1872, at Cincinnati, OH for five years. He was described as 5'7", blue eyes, brown hair with a dark complexion. His civilian occupation was not listed. On February 13, 1873, Van Sant reported for duty at Unionville, SC. He was assigned to Company E, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. Company E would later be called the Gray Horse Troop, because of the gray horses they rode. Van Sant's daily duties were listed as clerk with the post headquarters. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company E was attached to LTC George Armstrong Custer's battalion. Sometime during the fighting Van Sant was killed. Van Sant's remains were not listed as being identified. It is likely that his 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. Later battlefield excavations and Lakota/Cheyenne accounts about the battle revealed that Company E had conducted a well organized and hard fought rearguard action towards Last Stand Hill.
FAG contributor #46785739, advises that Van Sant's father was Samuel Van Sant, 1815-1862. His father was born in Baltimore MD. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Jane Law. She was born in Cincinnati OH.
FAG contributor #46785739, advises that Van Sant's father was Samuel Van Sant, 1815-1862. His father was born in Baltimore MD. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Jane Law. She was born in Cincinnati OH.
US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt Van Sant enlisted into the US Army on September 5, 1872, at Cincinnati, OH for five years. He was described as 5'7", blue eyes, brown hair with a dark complexion. His civilian occupation was not listed. On February 13, 1873, Van Sant reported for duty at Unionville, SC. He was assigned to Company E, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. Company E would later be called the Gray Horse Troop, because of the gray horses they rode. Van Sant's daily duties were listed as clerk with the post headquarters. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company E was attached to LTC George Armstrong Custer's battalion. Sometime during the fighting Van Sant was killed. Van Sant's remains were not listed as being identified. It is likely that his 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. Later battlefield excavations and Lakota/Cheyenne accounts about the battle revealed that Company E had conducted a well organized and hard fought rearguard action towards Last Stand Hill.
FAG contributor #46785739, advises that Van Sant's father was Samuel Van Sant, 1815-1862. His father was born in Baltimore MD. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Jane Law. She was born in Cincinnati OH.
FAG contributor #46785739, advises that Van Sant's father was Samuel Van Sant, 1815-1862. His father was born in Baltimore MD. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Jane Law. She was born in Cincinnati OH.
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