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
