An Unidentified Porter from Liverpool

• James Hathersall, if indeed that was his real name, told the recruiting officer, Captain Madison Earle,* 21st Infantry, at Boston, Massachusetts,  on 1 September 1870, that he was 21 years of age from Liverpool,  previously employed as a porter. He was described as having blue eyes, light hair, a fair complexion, standing 5′ 5″ tall, and was assigned to the 3rd Cavalry, Company E, which he joined at Camp Verde, Arizona Territory, on 3 December 1870. He was discharged with the rank of private on 1 September 1875 at Camp Sheridan, Nebraska.
• On 13 September 1875 he was re-enlisted in New York City by Lt John Babcock and sent to the St Louis Depot where eight days later he was assigned to Company C,  7th Cavalry, then stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory.  
• He was killed with Custer’s column at the Battle of the Little Big Horn and is listed as JAMES HATHERSALL on the battle monument.
• Final Statement of James Hathersall signed by Captain Henry Jackson, Commanding Company, at Fort Abraham Lincoln on 9 October 1876.
• DUE SOLDIER
• For five years’ continuous service under sec. 2, act August 4, 1854 … $2.00 per month
• For retained pay under act of May 15, 1872 … $9.36
• For clothing not drawn in kind … $9.77
• Proceeds of sale of effects [June 15. 1877] … $2.50
• DUE UNITED STATES
• For tobacco … $1.14
• He was indebted to Mrs. Ellen Finley, laundress of Company ‘C’ for $5.50
• The above statement does not take into account basic pay due for the period May 1 to June 25, 1876.

•  Note: (*) Madison (or Matthew) Earle, a captain by brevet, died at New York Hospital after a pistol shot to the head on Boxing Day 1881.