Monday, June 26, 1876 Day two of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Reno fights to hold his positions and against thirst, Gibbon marches south, Crook camps on Goose Creek..

The Battle of the Little Big Horn continued on with Reno and Benteen's command dug in on high ground. The day was marked by sniping fire and thirst.  Obtaining water was becoming critical with some troops volunteering for very dangerous trips down to the Little Big Horn.

Between the two days of the battle, June 25 and June 26, twenty-four men serving under Benteen performed acts of heroism that would result in their receiving the Medal of Honor.  Most of that was associated with retrieving water.  

Every single one was an enlisted man.

They were:

 Otto Voit Pvt. Co. H Bravery in Action

 Benj. C. Criswell Sgt. Co. B Brought up ammunition

 Henry Holden Pvt. Co. D Brought up ammunition

 Thomas Murray Sgt. Co. B Brought up pack train

 Richard P. Hanley Sgt. Co. C Recaptured pack mule

 Chas. Cunningham Pvt. Co. B Continued firing after being wounded

 Henry W. B. Mechlin Bks.* Co. H Sharpshooter for water party

 Charles Windolph Pvt. Co. H Sharpshooter for water party

 George Geiger Sgt. Co. H Sharpshooter for water party

 James Pym Pvt. Co. B Brought water under fire

 Neil Bancroft Pvt. Co. A Brought water to wounded

 Abram B. Brant Pvt. Co. D Brought water to wounded

 Thomas J. Callan Pvt. Co. B Brought water to wounded

 Frederick Deetline Bks.* Co. C Brought water to wounded

 Theodore W. Goldin Pvt. Co. G Brought water to wounded

 David W. Harris Pvt. Co. A Brought water to wounded

 William M. Harris Pvt. Co. D Brought water to wounded

 Rufus D. Hutchinson Sgt. Co. B Brought water to wounded

 Stanislas Roy Sgt. Co. A   Brought water to wounded

 George D. Scott Pvt. Co. D Brought water to wounded

 Thomas W. Stivers Pvt. Co. D Brought water to wounded

 Peter Thompson Pvt. Co. C Brought water to wounded

 Frank Tolan Pvt. Co. D Brought water to wounded

 Charles H. Welch Pvt. Co. D Brought water to wounded

Midday Lakota scouts sighted Terry/Gibbon's command to the north and reported it back to the village, which then began to break camp, that process continuing on into the evening.  As we noted, Terry was now with Gibbon who had marched east from Ft. Ellis down the Yellowstone at the beginning of the campaign while Terry and Custer had marched west from Ft. Abraham Lincoln.

Breaking camp was inevitable in any event as the camp was so large the locality could not sustain it for long.  As bands broke camp, they broke into individual bands and headed south.

Crook was encamped at Little Goose Creek in what is now Sheridan, Wyoming, having pulled off a fair distance to recuperate from the Battle of the Rosebud and to await reinforcements.  A monument in Sheridan Wyoming is located at that spot, but I've not personally seen it.

President Grant issues a proclamation on the Centennial of American independence.

June 26, 1876: Proclamation Celebrating the Hundredth Anniversary of Independence

A Proclamation

The centennial anniversary of the day on which the people of the United States declared their right to a separate and equal station among the powers of the earth seems to demand an exceptional observance.

The founders of the Government, at its birth and in its feebleness, invoked the blessings and the protection of a Divine Providence, and the thirteen colonies and three millions of people have expanded into a nation of strength and numbers commanding the position which then was asserted and for which fervent prayers were then offered.

It seems fitting that on the occurrence of the hundredth anniversary of our existence as a nation a grateful acknowledgment should be made to Almighty God for the protection and the bounties which He has vouchsafed to our beloved country.

I therefore invite the good people of the United States, on the approaching 4th day of July, in addition to the usual observances with which they are accustomed to greet the return of the day, further, in such manner and at such time as in their respective localities and religious associations may be most convenient, to mark its recurrence by some public religious and devout thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings which have been bestowed upon us as a nation during the century of our existence, and humbly to invoke a continuance of His favor and of His protection.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of June, A. D. 1876, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundredth.

U. S. GRANT.

By the President:

HAMILTON FISH,

Secretary of State.

Last edition:

Sunday, June 25, 1876. The Battle of the the Little Big Horn.

Labels: 1790s, 1791, 1870s, 1876, Army, Battle of Little Big Horn, Battle of the Wabash, Blog Mirror, cavalry, Cheyenne, George A. Custer, Great Sioux War, Indian Wars, Sioux, Sitting Bull (Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake)