US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt Cheever enlisted into the US Army on July 30, 1866, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was described as 5'8", grey eyes, brown hair with a fair complexion. His listed civilian occupation was laborer. Cheever was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 11th US Infantry Regiment. His enlistment expired on July 30, 1869. On September 21, 1872, Cheever reenlisted at Harrisburg, PA. When Cheever reenlisted, he listed his prior civilian occupation as farmer. He was assigned to Company L, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. Company L was commanded by 1st Lt James Calhoun, who was the brother-in-law of LTC George Armstrong Custer and Captain Tom Custer. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn Company L was attached to LTC Custer's battalion. Cheever was killed sometime during the fighting. After the battle most of Company L was found on or near Calhoun Hill and Calhoun Ridge. Cheever's unidentified remains were likely first buried where they had been found on the battlefield. In 1881, all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on top of Last Stand Hill. Just before Cheever departed on the campaign that would tragically end for him at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, he sent his mother $100 and a letter saying he had planned on coming home that spring for a visit, but instead he was going to put it off until after the campaign. On March 24, 1897, Cheever's mother was awarded an army survivor's pension.
US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Pvt Cheever enlisted into the US Army on July 30, 1866, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was described as 5'8", grey eyes, brown hair with a fair complexion. His listed civilian occupation was laborer. Cheever was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 11th US Infantry Regiment. His enlistment expired on July 30, 1869. On September 21, 1872, Cheever reenlisted at Harrisburg, PA. When Cheever reenlisted, he listed his prior civilian occupation as farmer. He was assigned to Company L, 7th US Cavalry Regiment. Company L was commanded by 1st Lt James Calhoun, who was the brother-in-law of LTC George Armstrong Custer and Captain Tom Custer. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn Company L was attached to LTC Custer's battalion. Cheever was killed sometime during the fighting. After the battle most of Company L was found on or near Calhoun Hill and Calhoun Ridge. Cheever's unidentified remains were likely first buried where they had been found on the battlefield. In 1881, all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on top of Last Stand Hill. Just before Cheever departed on the campaign that would tragically end for him at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, he sent his mother $100 and a letter saying he had planned on coming home that spring for a visit, but instead he was going to put it off until after the campaign. On March 24, 1897, Cheever's mother was awarded an army survivor's pension.
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