Motorhead Quote

"The battlefields are silent now. The graves all look the same." -- Motorhead,Voices from the War

Hammon, John

Corporal

Company G

Born: December 4, 1857 (Ohio)

Died: January 19, 1909

Grave location: Bear Butte Cemetery, Sturgis, SD

Grave GPS Coordinates: N44 24.652 W103 29.708

He enlisted on September 1, 1873, in Cincinnati, Ohio by Lt. Adam Kramer. He listed his previous occupation as farmer. He was discharged on September 1, 1878, at Camp Sturgis, Dakota, upon expiration of service, as a corporal of very good character. He resided in Sturgis for over 30 years and was a member of the Sturgis Hook and Ladder Fire Company. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair, fair complexion, and was 5’ 7 ¼” tall.  At the Little Bighorn battle, his Company G was with Major Reno in both the valley and hilltop fights. His older brother, George, was a private in Company F and was killed with Custer. John was unable to identify his body because of the mutilations done by the Indians and the fact that the bodies had lain in the hot Montana sun for two days.  According to the book, CUSTER IN ’76, which is based on the notes of Walter Camp, Hammon and another trooper (Thomas O’Neill) dug the grave in which Custer’s body was buried.

Headstone for John Hammon at Bear Butte Cemetery - Sturgis, South Dakota

John Hammon

John Hammon

Headstone for Hammon's son Harry at Fort Meade Post Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota




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