George Weaver...Show Yourself

Photos of the enlisted men that served with the 7th U.S. Cavalry are rare. With a few exceptions, there are several of the officers from the unit, but the enlisted men are another story. People weren't carrying around phones with 12 megapixel cameras on them like today. If you were a member of the working class back in the 19th century, getting your photo taken was a big deal.

That's why when one shows up, especially if they are on the list of those buried in South Dakota and therefore a focus of this website, I get excited. I was indeed excited when I happened to run across a photo of Trooper George Weaver. 

George Weaver was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around 1843. He was a member of Company M, 7th U.S. Cavalry. He had blue eyes, brown hair, a florid complexion, and stood 5 feet 7 inches tall. He was discharged on March 14, 1881, at Fort Meade, upon expiration of service, as a farrier of excellent character.

The wonderful book, Custer and Company: Walter Camp's Notes on the Custer Fight (University of Nebraska Press, Bison Books, 1998; edited by Bruce Liddic and Paul Harbaugh) states "George W. Weaver of Company M was called 'Cully' for a nickname.  The nickname of Cully was verified by Ferdinand Widmayer in Camp’s interview of Oct. 7, 1910.  Widmayer went on to say that he was called Cully Weaver to distinguish him from Trumpeter Henry C. Weaver of the same company."

The Sturgis Weekly Record (Sturgis, Dakota Territory) had the following in its January 1, 1887 edition: 

DEATHS

Four deaths occurred during this past year at the post.  They were: Sergeant Johnson, D Company, in September; Farrier Weaver, M Troop, in October; and also Trumpeter Johnson of G Troop, in the same month.  Blacksmith Tessman of K Troop, died in November.

George Weaver died on October 14, 1886, and is buried in the Post Cemetery at Fort Meade, outside Sturgis, South Dakota.

George Weaver grave, Post Cemetery, Fort Meade, South Dakota

 

I wish to thank Pamela Garvin Schneider for the following photo of George Weaver. Pamela's Great-Grandmother was George Weaver's sister. Pamela received the photo, along with other family documents, from relatives. She has worked hard on the Weaver family heritage and I appreciate her sharing her photo of George with me. I also wish to thank her for granting me permission to post it here on my website.

George Weaver, 7th U.S. Cavalry
(courtesy of Pamela Garvin Schneider)

George Weaver Page