Friday, June 30, 1876. A rainy day.

The wounded from the Battle of the Little Big Horn reached the steamer Far West.  It was a rainy day.

The steamer departed at 1:40, continually hitting the banks of the river on the way downstream.

The Cheyenne who had been at Little Big Horn had moved down near where they had fought Crook on the Rosebud.  They were pursuing game.

Gibbon was left completely in charge of his command at 4:00 p.m. that day.  A roster was called of the 7th Cavalry to see who remained.

Frank Grouard, who was half polynesian, and who had been captured by, and had lived with, the Sioux as a young man, taking a Sioux wife.  In spite of that close association he later "escaped" and became a scout.  His biography is particularly odd and complicated and this barely touches on it.

Crook's troops remained in camp on Goose Creek on what was a rainy day there as well.  Scout Frank Grouard went sent scouting and returned finding nothing.  In fact, Sitting Bull's camp was moving straight for them.

Three miners strayed into the camp and told Crook that natives had told them of a large battle in which cavalrymen had been wiped out. Crook didn't believe them and began to organize a hunting party into the Bighorns in what would become one of the greatest hunting and fishing expeditions of all time.

Last entry:

June 29, 1876. Evacuating the wounded and turning east.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Alfred Terry, Battle of Little Big Horn, Canada, Equine Transportation, Great Sioux War, Indian Wars, John Gibbon, Marcus Reno, Myths, North West Mounted Police, Yellowstone Expedition

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)

Thursday, June 22, 1876. 7th Cavalry leaves the Yellowstone.

The 7th Cavalry, under George A. Custer, departed the Yellowstone River under orders to ride south the entire length of the Rosebud, then went until they encountered the Sioux.  Gibbon and Terry marched the rest of the command to the South, with there being the thought they would accordingly trap the Sioux in this fashion.

Custer as given written orders, stating:

Headquarters of the Department of Dakota (In the Field)

Camp at Mouth of Rosebud River, Montana Territory June 22nd, 1876

Lieutenant-Colonel Custer,

7th Calvary

Colonel: The Brigadier-General Commanding directs that, as soon as your regiment can be made ready for the march, you will proceed up the Rosebud in pursuit of the Indians whose trail was discovered by Major Reno a few days since. It is, impossible to give you any definite instructions in regard to this movement, and were it not impossible to do so the Department Commander places too much confidence in your zeal, energy, and ability to wish to impose upon you precise orders which might hamper your action when nearly in contact with the enemy. He will, however, indicate to you his own views of what your action should be, and he desires that you should conform to them unless you shall see sufficient reason for departing from them. He thinks that you should proceed up the Rosebud until you ascertain definitely the direction in which the trail above spoken of leads. Should it be found (as it appears almost certain that it will be found) to turn towards the Little Bighorn, he thinks that you should still proceed southward, perhaps as far as the headwaters of the Tongue, and then turn toward the Little Horn, feeling constantly, however, to your left, so as to preclude the escape of the Indians passing around your left flank.

The column of Colonel Gibbon is now in motion for the mouth of the Big Horn. As soon as it reaches that point will cross the Yellowstone and move up at least as far as the forks of the Big and Little Horns. Of course its future movements must be controlled by circumstances as they arise, but it is hoped that the Indians, if upon the Little Horn, may be so nearly inclosed by the two columns that their escape will be impossible. The Department Commander desires that on your way up the Rosebud you should thoroughly examine the upper part of Tullock's Creek, and that you should endeavor to send a scout through to Colonel Gibbon's command.

The supply-steamer will be pushed up the Big Horn as far as the forks of the river is found to be navigable for that distance, and the Department Commander, who will accompany the column of Colonel Gibbon, desires you to report to him there not later than the expiration of the time for which your troops are rationed, unless in the mean time you receive further orders.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

E. W. Smith, Captain, 18th Infantry A. A. J. G.

Much has been made of this order, but it is clear that it gave Terry's wishes, while also giving Custer operational freedom. 

Col. Gibbon was in command of the 7th Infantry of the Montana Column consisting of the F, G, H, and L of the 2nd Cavalry under James S. Brisbin from Fort Ellis.

Reno of the 7th Cavalry, as noted, had seen traces of a Sioux party on the Rosebud, which was likely the band that had earlier hit Crook, a battle which the Montana Column was unaware of.  Crook was drawing off towards the Big Horn Mountains at the time.

Custer's command made ten miles that day.

Last edition:

Wednesday, June 21, 1876. Far West.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Alfred Terry, Battle of Little Big Horn, Battle of the Rosebud, cavalry, Crook, George A. Custer, Montana (Rosebud Creek), Yellowstone Expedition

Saturday, June 17, 1876. Battle of the Rosebud Battlefield, Montana.

Today In Wyoming's History: Battle of the Rosebud Battlefield, Montana.: The Battle of the Rosebud was an important June 1876 battle that came, on June 17, just days prior to the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  Fo...

Battle of the Rosebud Battlefield, Montana.

The Battle of the Rosebud was an important June 1876 battle that came, on June 17, just days prior to the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  Fought by the same Native American combatants, who crossed from their Little Big Horn encampment to counter 993 cavalrymen and mule mounted infantrymen who had marched north from Ft. Fetterman, Wyoming, at the same time troops under Gen. Terry, including Custer's command, were proceeding west from Ft. Abraham Lincoln.  Crook's command included, like Terry's, Crow scouts, and he additionally was augmented soon after leaving Ft. Fetterman by Shoshoni combatants.

The battlefield today is nearly untouched.

Called the Battle Where the Sister Saved Her Brother, or the Battle Where the Girl Saved Her Brother, like Little Big Horn, it was a Sioux and Arapaho victory, although it did not turn into an outright disaster like Little Big Horn. Caught in a valley and attacked, rather than attacking into a valley like Custer, the Army took some ground and held its positions, and then withdrew.  Crook was effectively knocked out of action for the rest of the year and retreated into the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming.

Last edition:

Wednesday, June 14, 1876. The Grand Old Party convenes.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, 1876 Election, James G. Blaine, Republican Party, Rutherford B. Hayes, U.S. Grant

Friday, June 9, 1876. Battle of Prairie Dog Creek.

The Battle of Prairie Dog Creek, also known as the Skirmish at Tongue River Heights, or the Battle of the Tongue River, occurred at the confluence of Prairie Dog Creek and the Tongue River primarily in Wyoming Territory, but also in part of Montana.

Crooks command was camped on the creek when it was attacked by a large party of Sioux, which engage them with volley fire.  Crook had his men mount an attack in response, which pushed the Sioux back three times before they disengaged.  Two Sioux warriors were killed in the battle.

The Sioux goal had been to steal the Army remuda.

Last edition:

Thursday, June 8, 1876. "It's Harder Not To: 1876 in Deadwood" First issue of the Deadwood Pioneer.

Labels: Blog Mirror, South Dakota (Deadwood), The Press

Monday, May 29, 1876. Start of the Yellowstone Expedition.

For the second time that year, Gen. Crook's command left Ft. Fetterman, crossing the swollen North Platte on ferries, bound for the Powder River Basin.

Last edition:

Thursday May 25, 1876. Stoves and ranges.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Army, Crime, police, Texas, Texas (Laredo), Texas (Nueces Strip), Texas Rangers, tools and appliances

Wednesday, March 1, 1876. The Big Horn Expedition commences.

Today In Wyoming's History: March 1: Gen. George Crook left Ft. Fetterman bound for the Powder River basis with a command that was to search for Sioux who were off the Reservation.

Ft. Fetterman had the reputation of being one of the worst forts to be stationed at in the Frontier West, and it had the highest insanity rate of any U.S. military post at the time.

Last edition:

Saturday, February 26, 1876. The Japan Korea Treaty of Amity.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Diplomacy, Gunboat Diplomacy, Imperialism, Japan, Korea, Qing Dynasty