Acting Assistant Surgeon, 7th US Cavalry. Killed in action during the Battle of the Little Big Horn, along with General George Custer and most of the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry.
He enlisted in the 1st Pennsylvania Artillery on 1 Aug 1861, at the age of 17, listing his previous occupation as a farmer. Fought in the first Battle of Bull Run. Discharged as a Corporal on 29 Oct 1862 from a disability caused by gunshot wound to the arm. Re-enlisted Sept 1864 in Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery until his discharge on 14 June 1865. Enlisted 5 Oct 1865 in Company E, 14th US Infantry. Re-enlisted in Camp Lyon, Idaho, on 5 Oct 1868, under the name of James DeWall, as a hospital stewart. Married Fannie J. Downing on 31 Oct 1871 at Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. Reenlisted on 5 Oct 1871 under his original name. Entered Harvard University School of Medicine in Sept 1873, and graduated as a Doctor on 26 June 1875. On 23 Oct 1875, he entered into a contract with the US Army as an Acting Assistant Surgeon, and was attached to the 7th Cavalry on 21 June 1876. During the Battle of the Little Big Horn, he was assigned to Reno's Battalion, and killed during the retreat from the valley floor. Death was caused by a gunshot wound to the abdomen and six wounds to the head and face. He was 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with gray eyes, light hair and a light complexion. His widow remarried to Elijah Dodd on 10 June 1879 at Waterville, Ohio. ∼Original Burial Site of US Army Assistant Surgeon. On May 24, 1861, DeWolf enlisted into the Union Army for three years as a private with Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, DeWolf was described as 5'8", gray eyes, light hair with light complexion. On August 1, 1861, DeWolf was promoted to corporal. On August 30, 1862, at the Second Battle of Bull Run, he received a gunshot wound to his right forearm. Due to his wound, DeWolf was medically discharged from Finely Hospital in Washington, DC. Following his discharge, DeWolf was hired as a nurse at the same hospital. On September 1, 1864, DeWolf was medically cleared to reenlist. He reenlisted and was returned to his same unit. After the Civil War, DeWolf was a hospital steward at Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory and then Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. While at Camp Warner, he met the "love of his life" Francis Downing. They married at Camp Warner on October 3, 1871. On May 16, 1873, DeWolf entered Harvard Medical School. He took classes in regional anatomy and surgery. When DeWolf completed his schooling, he signed a contract, on October 23, 1875, to be a US Army Acting Assistant Surgeon "for services in the Dakota Territory". DeWolf arrived at his duty station, Ft Lincoln. Dakota Territory, in time to accompany the 7th US Cavalry Regiment on the Yellowstone Expedition. At the Battle of the Little Big Horn, DeWolf was assigned to Major Marcus Reno's battalion. During Reno's attack, in what later became known as the Valley Fight, a large force of Lakota/Cheyenne warriors counter-attacked. Reno ordered a retreat that evolved into an disorganized route back across the Little Big Horn River and some bluffs, known afterwards as Reno's Bluffs. DeWolf was successfully able to make it across the river, but he retreated up the wrong ravine. This ravine was was already occupied by warriors. Within sight of the soldiers already on Reno's Bluffs, he was killed. After the battle, DeWolf was buried where he had died. In 1877, an expedition led by Lt Col Michael Sheridan (brother of Gen Phil Sheridan) returned to the battlefield. Their objective was to clean up the battlefield and recover the remains of officers. DeWolf was disinterred, and his remains shipped to his wife. On August 1, 1876, DeWolf was buried in the family plot at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Ohio. DeWolf had no children. In 2017, DeWolf's diary and notes were published in a book, "A Surgeon With Custer at the Little Big Horn". DeWolf's wife remarried in 1879, to a farmer named Elijah Dodd. They divorced in 1912. When Francis died, she was buried next to DeWolf. Recollections of officers that served with DeWolf recalled that he was well liked, diplomatic and thoughtful.
He enlisted in the 1st Pennsylvania Artillery on 1 Aug 1861, at the age of 17, listing his previous occupation as a farmer. Fought in the first Battle of Bull Run. Discharged as a Corporal on 29 Oct 1862 from a disability caused by gunshot wound to the arm. Re-enlisted Sept 1864 in Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery until his discharge on 14 June 1865. Enlisted 5 Oct 1865 in Company E, 14th US Infantry. Re-enlisted in Camp Lyon, Idaho, on 5 Oct 1868, under the name of James DeWall, as a hospital stewart. Married Fannie J. Downing on 31 Oct 1871 at Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. Reenlisted on 5 Oct 1871 under his original name. Entered Harvard University School of Medicine in Sept 1873, and graduated as a Doctor on 26 June 1875. On 23 Oct 1875, he entered into a contract with the US Army as an Acting Assistant Surgeon, and was attached to the 7th Cavalry on 21 June 1876. During the Battle of the Little Big Horn, he was assigned to Reno's Battalion, and killed during the retreat from the valley floor. Death was caused by a gunshot wound to the abdomen and six wounds to the head and face. He was 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with gray eyes, light hair and a light complexion. His widow remarried to Elijah Dodd on 10 June 1879 at Waterville, Ohio. ∼Original Burial Site of US Army Assistant Surgeon. On May 24, 1861, DeWolf enlisted into the Union Army for three years as a private with Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, DeWolf was described as 5'8", gray eyes, light hair with light complexion. On August 1, 1861, DeWolf was promoted to corporal. On August 30, 1862, at the Second Battle of Bull Run, he received a gunshot wound to his right forearm. Due to his wound, DeWolf was medically discharged from Finely Hospital in Washington, DC. Following his discharge, DeWolf was hired as a nurse at the same hospital. On September 1, 1864, DeWolf was medically cleared to reenlist. He reenlisted and was returned to his same unit. After the Civil War, DeWolf was a hospital steward at Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory and then Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. While at Camp Warner, he met the "love of his life" Francis Downing. They married at Camp Warner on October 3, 1871. On May 16, 1873, DeWolf entered Harvard Medical School. He took classes in regional anatomy and surgery. When DeWolf completed his schooling, he signed a contract, on October 23, 1875, to be a US Army Acting Assistant Surgeon "for services in the Dakota Territory". DeWolf arrived at his duty station, Ft Lincoln. Dakota Territory, in time to accompany the 7th US Cavalry Regiment on the Yellowstone Expedition. At the Battle of the Little Big Horn, DeWolf was assigned to Major Marcus Reno's battalion. During Reno's attack, in what later became known as the Valley Fight, a large force of Lakota/Cheyenne warriors counter-attacked. Reno ordered a retreat that evolved into an disorganized route back across the Little Big Horn River and some bluffs, known afterwards as Reno's Bluffs. DeWolf was successfully able to make it across the river, but he retreated up the wrong ravine. This ravine was was already occupied by warriors. Within sight of the soldiers already on Reno's Bluffs, he was killed. After the battle, DeWolf was buried where he had died. In 1877, an expedition led by Lt Col Michael Sheridan (brother of Gen Phil Sheridan) returned to the battlefield. Their objective was to clean up the battlefield and recover the remains of officers. DeWolf was disinterred, and his remains shipped to his wife. On August 1, 1876, DeWolf was buried in the family plot at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Ohio. DeWolf had no children. In 2017, DeWolf's diary and notes were published in a book, "A Surgeon With Custer at the Little Big Horn". DeWolf's wife remarried in 1879, to a farmer named Elijah Dodd. They divorced in 1912. When Francis died, she was buried next to DeWolf. Recollections of officers that served with DeWolf recalled that he was well liked, diplomatic and thoughtful.
Acting Assistant Surgeon, 7th US Cavalry. Killed in action during the Battle of the Little Big Horn, along with General George Custer and most of the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry.
He enlisted in the 1st Pennsylvania Artillery on 1 Aug 1861, at the age of 17, listing his previous occupation as a farmer. Fought in the first Battle of Bull Run. Discharged as a Corporal on 29 Oct 1862 from a disability caused by gunshot wound to the arm. Re-enlisted Sept 1864 in Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery until his discharge on 14 June 1865. Enlisted 5 Oct 1865 in Company E, 14th US Infantry. Re-enlisted in Camp Lyon, Idaho, on 5 Oct 1868, under the name of James DeWall, as a hospital stewart. Married Fannie J. Downing on 31 Oct 1871 at Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. Reenlisted on 5 Oct 1871 under his original name. Entered Harvard University School of Medicine in Sept 1873, and graduated as a Doctor on 26 June 1875. On 23 Oct 1875, he entered into a contract with the US Army as an Acting Assistant Surgeon, and was attached to the 7th Cavalry on 21 June 1876. During the Battle of the Little Big Horn, he was assigned to Reno's Battalion, and killed during the retreat from the valley floor. Death was caused by a gunshot wound to the abdomen and six wounds to the head and face. He was 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with gray eyes, light hair and a light complexion. His widow remarried to Elijah Dodd on 10 June 1879 at Waterville, Ohio. ∼Original Burial Site of US Army Assistant Surgeon. On May 24, 1861, DeWolf enlisted into the Union Army for three years as a private with Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, DeWolf was described as 5'8", gray eyes, light hair with light complexion. On August 1, 1861, DeWolf was promoted to corporal. On August 30, 1862, at the Second Battle of Bull Run, he received a gunshot wound to his right forearm. Due to his wound, DeWolf was medically discharged from Finely Hospital in Washington, DC. Following his discharge, DeWolf was hired as a nurse at the same hospital. On September 1, 1864, DeWolf was medically cleared to reenlist. He reenlisted and was returned to his same unit. After the Civil War, DeWolf was a hospital steward at Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory and then Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. While at Camp Warner, he met the "love of his life" Francis Downing. They married at Camp Warner on October 3, 1871. On May 16, 1873, DeWolf entered Harvard Medical School. He took classes in regional anatomy and surgery. When DeWolf completed his schooling, he signed a contract, on October 23, 1875, to be a US Army Acting Assistant Surgeon "for services in the Dakota Territory". DeWolf arrived at his duty station, Ft Lincoln. Dakota Territory, in time to accompany the 7th US Cavalry Regiment on the Yellowstone Expedition. At the Battle of the Little Big Horn, DeWolf was assigned to Major Marcus Reno's battalion. During Reno's attack, in what later became known as the Valley Fight, a large force of Lakota/Cheyenne warriors counter-attacked. Reno ordered a retreat that evolved into an disorganized route back across the Little Big Horn River and some bluffs, known afterwards as Reno's Bluffs. DeWolf was successfully able to make it across the river, but he retreated up the wrong ravine. This ravine was was already occupied by warriors. Within sight of the soldiers already on Reno's Bluffs, he was killed. After the battle, DeWolf was buried where he had died. In 1877, an expedition led by Lt Col Michael Sheridan (brother of Gen Phil Sheridan) returned to the battlefield. Their objective was to clean up the battlefield and recover the remains of officers. DeWolf was disinterred, and his remains shipped to his wife. On August 1, 1876, DeWolf was buried in the family plot at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Ohio. DeWolf had no children. In 2017, DeWolf's diary and notes were published in a book, "A Surgeon With Custer at the Little Big Horn". DeWolf's wife remarried in 1879, to a farmer named Elijah Dodd. They divorced in 1912. When Francis died, she was buried next to DeWolf. Recollections of officers that served with DeWolf recalled that he was well liked, diplomatic and thoughtful.
He enlisted in the 1st Pennsylvania Artillery on 1 Aug 1861, at the age of 17, listing his previous occupation as a farmer. Fought in the first Battle of Bull Run. Discharged as a Corporal on 29 Oct 1862 from a disability caused by gunshot wound to the arm. Re-enlisted Sept 1864 in Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery until his discharge on 14 June 1865. Enlisted 5 Oct 1865 in Company E, 14th US Infantry. Re-enlisted in Camp Lyon, Idaho, on 5 Oct 1868, under the name of James DeWall, as a hospital stewart. Married Fannie J. Downing on 31 Oct 1871 at Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. Reenlisted on 5 Oct 1871 under his original name. Entered Harvard University School of Medicine in Sept 1873, and graduated as a Doctor on 26 June 1875. On 23 Oct 1875, he entered into a contract with the US Army as an Acting Assistant Surgeon, and was attached to the 7th Cavalry on 21 June 1876. During the Battle of the Little Big Horn, he was assigned to Reno's Battalion, and killed during the retreat from the valley floor. Death was caused by a gunshot wound to the abdomen and six wounds to the head and face. He was 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with gray eyes, light hair and a light complexion. His widow remarried to Elijah Dodd on 10 June 1879 at Waterville, Ohio. ∼Original Burial Site of US Army Assistant Surgeon. On May 24, 1861, DeWolf enlisted into the Union Army for three years as a private with Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, DeWolf was described as 5'8", gray eyes, light hair with light complexion. On August 1, 1861, DeWolf was promoted to corporal. On August 30, 1862, at the Second Battle of Bull Run, he received a gunshot wound to his right forearm. Due to his wound, DeWolf was medically discharged from Finely Hospital in Washington, DC. Following his discharge, DeWolf was hired as a nurse at the same hospital. On September 1, 1864, DeWolf was medically cleared to reenlist. He reenlisted and was returned to his same unit. After the Civil War, DeWolf was a hospital steward at Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory and then Camp Warner, Oregon Territory. While at Camp Warner, he met the "love of his life" Francis Downing. They married at Camp Warner on October 3, 1871. On May 16, 1873, DeWolf entered Harvard Medical School. He took classes in regional anatomy and surgery. When DeWolf completed his schooling, he signed a contract, on October 23, 1875, to be a US Army Acting Assistant Surgeon "for services in the Dakota Territory". DeWolf arrived at his duty station, Ft Lincoln. Dakota Territory, in time to accompany the 7th US Cavalry Regiment on the Yellowstone Expedition. At the Battle of the Little Big Horn, DeWolf was assigned to Major Marcus Reno's battalion. During Reno's attack, in what later became known as the Valley Fight, a large force of Lakota/Cheyenne warriors counter-attacked. Reno ordered a retreat that evolved into an disorganized route back across the Little Big Horn River and some bluffs, known afterwards as Reno's Bluffs. DeWolf was successfully able to make it across the river, but he retreated up the wrong ravine. This ravine was was already occupied by warriors. Within sight of the soldiers already on Reno's Bluffs, he was killed. After the battle, DeWolf was buried where he had died. In 1877, an expedition led by Lt Col Michael Sheridan (brother of Gen Phil Sheridan) returned to the battlefield. Their objective was to clean up the battlefield and recover the remains of officers. DeWolf was disinterred, and his remains shipped to his wife. On August 1, 1876, DeWolf was buried in the family plot at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Ohio. DeWolf had no children. In 2017, DeWolf's diary and notes were published in a book, "A Surgeon With Custer at the Little Big Horn". DeWolf's wife remarried in 1879, to a farmer named Elijah Dodd. They divorced in 1912. When Francis died, she was buried next to DeWolf. Recollections of officers that served with DeWolf recalled that he was well liked, diplomatic and thoughtful.
Inscription
248
J.M. DeWOLF
ACTG ASST
SURGEON
FELL HERE
JUNE 25, 1876
Gravesite Details
Vet. Civil War
Family Members
Siblings
Other Records
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
