Thomas Weir (American soldier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Benton Weir
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| Born | September 28, 1838 Nashville, Ohio |
| Died | December 9, 1876 New York City |
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–76 |
| Rank |  Captain (Regular Army) Colonel (Brevet) |
| Commands held | Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War American Indian Wars |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Captain Thomas Benton Weir (born September 28, 1838 – died December 9, 1876) was an officer in the 7th U.S. Cavalry. He is well-known for his part in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also called Custer's Last Stand.
Weir first served under General George Armstrong Custer during the American Civil War. After the war, he continued to serve with Custer until the famous battle in 1876. During the Little Bighorn battle, Weir did not follow orders to stay in a safe spot on Reno Hill. Instead, he led a group of cavalry soldiers to try and help Custer. However, Weir and his group had to go back to Reno Hill because there were too many Native American warriors. A spot on the battlefield, called Weir Point, is named after him. It shows how far Weir and his men went forward.
People said Weir was very sad after the battle. His health got worse, and he died only a few months later when he was 38 years old.
Contents
Weir's Early Life and Military Start
Thomas Weir was born in Nashville, Ohio. He finished his studies at the University of Michigan in June 1861. On August 27, 1861, he joined Company B of the 3rd Michigan Cavalry. He quickly moved up in rank to first sergeant. By October 1861, he became a second lieutenant. In June 1862, Weir was promoted to first lieutenant.
Soon after, soldiers from the Confederate States Army captured him. He was held prisoner for seven months. During this time, he was promoted again to captain. After he was set free, Weir became an Assistant Inspector General. He worked for Major General George Armstrong Custer.
In July 1868, Weir received special promotions called brevet ranks. He was promoted to major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. These promotions were given to him because he did such a great job during the war.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn
During the Indian Wars on the Great Plains, Captain Weir led Company D of the 7th Cavalry. He was under the command of General Custer. On June 25, 1876, they were part of an attack on a large Native American village. The village was located on the Little Bighorn River in Montana.
Custer took some soldiers north to attack the village from that side. Three other companies, led by Major Marcus Reno, attacked the south end of the village. But Reno's soldiers had to pull back from their first attack. They went to a hilltop nearby, which is now called Reno Hill. Three more companies, including Weir's Company D, joined them there. These companies were led by Captain Frederick Benteen. A group carrying supplies also joined them.
Weir's company, without being told to, moved north from their safe spot on Reno Hill. Other soldiers, including Benteen, followed them. They were heading towards the sound of gunfire. They thought Custer and his troops were fighting there. However, Weir and the soldiers trying to help had to go back to Reno Hill. They were being shot at. They stayed under attack until General Alfred Terry arrived two days later. That's when the Native American warriors left.
Weir Point: A Place of History
Weir Point is also known as Weir Ridge. It is about three miles south of where Custer and his soldiers were killed. It's also about one and a half miles north of Reno Hill. Weir Point is the place where Captain Weir and his men realized Custer could not be helped. This was after about two hours of trying. They also saw many enemy warriors coming towards them. From Weir Point, the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry who were still alive went back to the safe spots on Reno Hill.
Today, Weir Point is a small stop on the road that leads to Reno Hill. This area is also called the Reno-Benteen Battlefield. A sign marks Weir Point. It has a picture showing what Weir and his men might have seen. It shows clouds of dust rising from the hills to the north. This is where Custer and his men were defeated.
Weir's Final Days
Captain Weir was deeply affected by his experiences in the famous battle. He struggled with his feelings and his mental health quickly got worse. Weir wrote letters to Custer's wife, Elizabeth Bacon Custer. In these letters, he hinted at things about her husband's death that he couldn't say directly.
He was officially sent back to New York City to help with recruiting. In the last few months of his life, he refused to go outside. In his final days, people said he was very nervous. He was so nervous that he couldn't even swallow food.
He died in New York City less than six months after Custer's death. People said he was in a state of extreme sadness. He was first buried at the Fort Columbus cemetery on Governors Island in New York City. In the 1880s, his remains were moved to Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Weir in Movies and Documentaries
Captain Weir has been shown in several movies and documentaries:
- In the 1991 TV movie Son of the Morning Star, the role of Captain Weir is played by the famous writer and actor Robert Schenkkan.
- Captain Weir is also played by Roger Clark in the 2007 BBC documentary called Custer's Last Stand. Roger Clark is well-known for playing Arthur Morgan in the Red Dead Redemption 2 video game.
- In the 2021 documentary Custer’s Strategy of Defeat, Captain Weir is played by Jeff Wahl.
