The Kidder Massacre.

On 29 June 1867, at Fort Sedgwick, Kansas, Lt. Kidder was given a message to take to Lt. Col. George A. Custer, who was then patrolling about 50 miles south of the fort. The message never made it to Custer. On 12 July, Custer's patrol found a dead horse with US Army markings. They soon found another dead Army horse, and then the bodies of Kidder and his 10 men - scalped and decomposing. The men had been ambushed by Sioux and Cheyenne, and fought a running battle south, until forced to make a last stand in a small ravine, where they were killed. The Indians stripped the bodies, scalped them, and filled their bodies with arrows. Kidder's body was identified by a scrap of black and white flannel shirt which his mother had sent him. The incident became known as the Kidder Massacre. Originally buried in a mass grave at the site, the soldier's bodies were reburied in 1886 at Fort Leavenworth's Cemetery.

Note.These photo's can be enlarged by pushing on them.

These men died in the Performance of their duty on or about July 2, 1867, in combat with Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.

July 1867.

"M" Company.

2nd Cavalry

2nd Lieut. - Lyman S. Kidder, Birth: Aug. 31, 1842.
Sergeant - Oscar Close, Birth: Unknown.
Corporal - Charles Haines, Birth; Unknown.
Private - Roger Curry, Birth: Unknown.
Private - Michael Cornell, Birth: Unknown.
Private - William Floyd, Birth: Unknown.
Private - Michael Gorman, Birth: Unknown.
Private - Michael Haley, Birth: Unknown.
Private - N.J. Humphries, Birth: Unknown.
Private - Michael Lawler, Birth: Unknown.
Private - Charles Taltin, Birth: Unknown.
Sioux Scout - Red Bead, Birth: Unknown.