Obit for Sergt James LITTLE (b.1838 d.1912), Canby, Yellow Medicine Co., MN

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The Canby News
Sergt James Little
Born April 10, 1838
Died March 29, 1912
One of Canby's old soldiers answered the final call last week and was 
laid at rest in the Canby Cemetery Wednesday afernoon.  Rev H W 
Mitchell officiating.  Mr Little has been in failing health for
several months, his chief complaint being dropsy, which refused 
to yield to medical treatment.  He was born near Glasgow Scotland 
and came to America with his parents in 1840.  His boyhood 
days were spent at Olean and Franklinville, NY.  In 1854 he came 
west and in 1857 he took a pre-emption in Olmsted county, where 
he remained until the Civil War broke out, when he returned to 
New York and helped to  drum up a regiment of volunteers.  He was 
a member of Co I 6th NY volunteer cavalry until the expiration of 
his term Dec 15, 1863, when he was honorably discharged.  The next 
day he re-enlisted in the same regiment and served until the close 
of the war.  His regiment was in 143 engagments with the rebels 
and lost 472 officers and men, but captured more rebel flags than 
any other regiment.  Its first engagement was at Alsop's field and 
this was the first time during the war that a Union cavalry 
charged the cavalry of the enemy.  Sergt Little had three horses 
shot out from under him in the saddle and at Manassas his horse 
was wounded and he was thrown from the saddle and dragging him by 
his foot which  was caught in the stirup resulting in permanent 
injury.  Otherwise he was never wounded nor was he sick or taken 
prisoner during his service although he several times had his 
clothes torn by shot, shell and bayonet.  Mr Little was married 
at Rochester Nov 21st, 1867 to Miss Mary E Oaks, being then 
employed as a grain buyer at Lake City where they made their 
home for five years.  In the spring of 1878 they came to Canby 
and settle on their old homestead in Hammer, where they farmed 
and prospered until 1905 when they retired  from active work 
and moved to Canby.  Five sons and one daughter composed the 
family, the latter preceding her father to the great beyond 
in 1901, and the widow and sons remain to mourn his death.  
The sons are Orrin J, residing at San Diego, CA, Reuben B, of 
St Paul, J Francis of Seattle, Guy A of Rollette ND and Chas 
David who lies on the hold homestead in Hammer.  The local GAR 
post had charge of the burial and had enough members for pall 
bearers, and the remains of another comrade were consigned to 
dust.  Mr Little was a very congenial and popular gentlemen 
whose acquaintance and friendship was highly esteemed by all 
who knew him.  During his residence in Hammer he was honored 
by his follwo citizens by election to various public offices 
and while residing in Canby he has been similarly honored,
being assessor and jucstic of the peace at the time of his 
death.  The News joins his many friends in extening sincere 
sympathy to the bereaved in their great loss and sorrow.