Sunday, July 2, 1876. Terry reaches the Yellowstone, Crook reaches Cloud Peak, News hits the Press

The Montana Column caught up with the Far West at Pease Bottom.  The wounded were disembarked so that troops and horses could be transported to the northern bank of the Yellowstone.

Gen. Terry wrote two telegrams to Gen. Sheridan.  One blamed Custer for failing to follow his orders, stating:“had Custer followed his directions received at the Rosebud June 22nd, the disaster may not have happened at all! I do not tell you this, to cast any reflection on Custer. For whatever errors he may have committed, he has paid the penalty, and you cannot regret his loss more than I do.” 

The blame game had begun.

Benteen wrote his wife, estimating native combatants at 5,000.

At Ft. Fetterman supplies were loaded to resupply Crook at Goose Creek.  Crook, however, was not at the base of Cloud Peak, hunting.

His party took two Bighorn Sheep and and a nice rustic meal, complete with peaches suspended in alcohol, consumed.

The first news reports of Custer's defeat were published by the The Canton Repository and Helena Herald. 

Last edition:

Saturday, July 1, 1876. Coloradans say yes to an anticipated state constitution.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Colorado, Frontier Colorado, law

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

Reno's wounded were evacuated from the field for the steamer Far West.  Reno was now in command of the 7th Cavalry.

One thing that might as well be brought up here is the myth of Miles Keogh's horse, Comanche, which is often cited to be "the only living" survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Baloney.

All of the soldiers under Custer's command were killed, but not all of the horses.  Comanche was left as he was badly shot up.  Not all of the 7th Cavalry horses were, and those that survived and were in decent condition were taken, just like the arms of the 7th Cavalry were, by the victorious natives.  Over 100 7th Cavalry mounts were taken by the Sioux and Cheyenne with them, and one was later recovered by the North West Mounted Police.  The Mounties asked the U.S. if they'd like them to recover others, and the answer was no.

Terry's now united command turned towards the east, pursuing trails in vain that lead in that direction.

Last edition:

Wednesday, June 28, 1876. Burial detail.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Battle of Little Big Horn, cavalry, Frederick Benteen, George A. Custer, Great Sioux War, Indian Wars, Montana, The Frontier West, Yellowstone Expedition

Wednesday, June 28, 1876. Burial detail.

Marcus Reno's detail began burying the dead on Last Stand Hill in shallow graves.

The graves were very shallow, reflecting that cavalry in the field really didn't have equipment suitable for digging graves.  During the battle itself digging in had proven to be difficult.  The extent to which the soldiers were barely covered would be shocking under modern circumstances, but then burying men where they fell would be too.  In the 19th Century, however, there was little other choice.

Last edition:

Tuesday, June 27, 1876. Terry and Gibbon arrive.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Alfred Terry, Army, Battle of Little Big Horn, cavalry, Frederick Benteen, George A. Custer, Great Sioux War, Indian Wars, Little Big Horn River, Marcus Reno

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)

Saturday, June 24, 1876. Custer marches into the Wolf Mountains, Terry starts down the Big Horn.

The 7th Cavalry halted at where Busby Montana presently is.  Knowing that the Sioux were somewhere in the vicinity, scouts were sent ahead to the Crow's Nest in the Wolf Mountains. The command then married a further fifteen miles at night towards the location.

Keeping in mind that sundown occurs in this region on this day at about 9:00 p.m., this means the already exhausted command was making a difficult night march.

Not all that far off, the Sioux/Cheyenne camp was holding the Dying Dancing Ceremony in which teenagers vowed to lose their lives in battle to defend the camp.

Terry's command was ferried to the southside of the Yellowstone near the mouth of the Big Horn to proceed up the river's valley with the goal of reaching the mouth of the Little Big Horn by June 26.  It was hoped that Custer's command would have maneuvered to the south of the camp by the 26, which was an approximate date, allowing the camp, which was known to exist somewhere in the area, to be trapped.  As it was, Custer had maneuvered to the southwest of the camp by the late night of the 25th.

Last edition:

Friday, June 23, 1876. Camp on the Rosebud.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, California, cavalry, George A. Custer, Great Sioux War, Indian Wars, Montana (Rosebud Creek), U.S. Grant, Yellowstone Expedition

Friday, June 23, 1876. Camp on the Rosebud.

The 7th Cavalry's camp on this day in 1876: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtalplacido/53876295032/in/photostream/

President Grant created a reservation in California, the largest in that state.

Executive Order—Creating the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation

June 23, 1876

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 23, 1876.

It is hereby ordered that the south and west boundaries and that portion of the north boundary west of Trinity River surveyed, in 1875, by C. T. Bissel, and the courses and distances of the east boundary, and that portion of the north boundary east of Trinity River reported but not surveyed by him, viz: “Beginning at the southeast corner of the reservation at a post set in mound of rocks, marked ‘H. V. R., No. 3'; thence south 17½ degrees west, 905.15 chains, to southeast corner or reservation; thence south 72½ degrees west, 480 chains, to the mouth of Trinity River,” be, and hereby are, declared to be the exterior boundaries of Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, and the land embraced therein, an area of 89,572.43 acres, be, and hereby is, withdrawn from public sale, and set apart for Indian purposes, as one of the Indian reservations authorized to be set apart, in California, by act of Congress approved April 8, 1864. (13 Stats., p. 39.)

U. S. GRANT

Last edition:

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

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Alfred Terry, Battle of Little Big Horn, Big Horn Expedition, cavalry, George A. Custer, George Crook, Infantry, John Gibbon, Marcus Reno, Montana, Wyoming, Yellowstone Expedition, Yellowtone River

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

Wednesday, June 21, 1876. Far West.

Brig Gen. Alfred Terry held a conference of war aboard the steamboat the Far West.  They determined to use a pincer strategy and divide their forces in order to locate and subdue the Sioux and Cheyenne in the field, with one column under Lt. Col. George A. Custer and another under Terry.

Custer was to go up Rosebud Creek to track a village known to be somewhere in the area.  It was not known that George Crook had just encountered the same native band, and had been turned back.

Last edition:

Sunday, June 18, 1876. Montenegrin-Ottoman War commences.

Labels: 1870s, 1876, Herzegovina, Montenegrin–Ottoman War, Ottoman Empire, Serbia

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