2d Dragoons

David.Gettman September 30th, 2008

During the summer of 1877, reports reached Fort Ellis, Montana, of troubles with the Nez Perce Indians in Idaho under their chief, Joseph. These people, who were friends of the whites, had always occupied the Wallowa Valley. They were in comfortable circumstances, having herds of cattle and horses. Whites had recently been encroaching upon their land, which had been ceded to them by treaty. These white squatters brought influence upon the state government to drive the Indians away and get Congress to give them title to the land. A number of the Indians had been murdered and they retaliated in kind against the settlers. Finally, troops were sent to arrest the alleged Indian culprits. Several sharp engagements took place in which Joseph showed General Howard the Nez Perces were formidable antagonists.

Late in July it was reported that these Indians had moved east into Montana with the intention of escaping to British Columbia. Having heard of the direction the savages had taken, Colonel Gibbon organized a small force at Fort Ellis to intercept the fugitives. The command consisted of four companies of the Seventh Infantry, a group of citizens, and eight men of Company L, Second Cavalry, in all about 180 strong. The latter were used as scouts and succeeded in locating the Nez Perce camp on August 8. Beginning next morning, a desperate engagement lasted two days, during which Colonel Gibbon’s force was so crippled he was unable to follow the savages when they withdrew on the night of the 10th. In this encounter Sergeant Edward Page, Company L, was killed, and Private Wilfred Clark of the same company was cited for gallantry and decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 29th, 2008

Company L reached Fort Ellis as an escort to General Sherman on August 2, 1877. While preparing to escort its distinguished visitor to the Yellowstone Park, the company received an order from Colonel Gibbon to report to him at once. Leaving the fort that same day, it marched the 160 miles without stops except to feed the men and horses. Upon arrival at the Big Hole battlefield, it was found the Indians had fled. Company L was then ordered to join General Howard, who had also come to the relief of Colonel Gibbon, in pursuit of them.

From here the trail led southeast back and forth across the continental divide to Camas Meadows, Idaho, just west of Yellowstone Park. Although the trail was easy to follow, the Indians were difficult to catch as they were traveling lighter than the troops. After almost continuous marching, General Howard decided to let the command rest on the night of August 19. Just before dawn the next morning the Nez Perces slipped into camp and by the discharge of firearms and much yelling and whooping, stampeded the herd of the pack train. This was a serious loss and the General took steps to pursue at once.

Company L, Second Cavalry, under Captain Norwood, and two companies of the First Cavalry were sent to rescue the herd. About fifty of the animals which had strayed were captured a few miles from camp before reaching the Indians. The three companies pursued on a broad front, with one company of the First Cavalry on the right, Company L, Second Cavalry, in the center, and one company of the First Cavalry on the left. After a rapid march of about eight miles they overtook the Indians and went into dismounted action.

The Indians began a spirited fight at once. In a short time they had turned the flanks of the two companies of the First Cavalry on the right and left. All of the cavalry were then ordered to take up a position in the rear. The hurried withdrawal of the two companies of the First Cavalry made it difficult for Company L, Second Cavalry, to extricate itself at once. Finally it withdrew to a position in a grove of trees about 500 yards to the rear and prepared for a defense. Meanwhile, the companies of the First Cavalry had gone further back. After sniping by both sides for four hours, the Indians withdrew, leaving Company L in possession of the field until the arrival of General Howard with reenforcements.

The casualties in this fight were two killed and four wounded in the Second Cavalry. The following men were decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in this action: First Sergeant Henry Wilkins, Corporal Harry Roland, Farrier William H. Jones, and Private Wilfred Clark. The first three had already been cited for their conduct in the Lame Deer fight on May 7.

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 28th, 2008

After the engagement at Camas Meadows, Chief Joseph moved east through Yellowstone Park, then north along Clark’s Fork to its junction with the Yellowstone River, then on to the Mussel Shell. On account of the shortage of supplies, General Howard decided to remain at the Camas Meadows camp. On August 25, Company L and two batteries of the Fourth Artillery were ordered to Fort Ellis to obtain provisions, and then to move to the Crow Agency, there to await Howard’s force, and to scout in the meantime for the Indians. General Howard took up the pursuit again on August 27, and followed the hostiles along Clark’s Fork to a junction with Colonel Sturgis, September 11. Realizing that his own command might not be able to prevent the escape of the Indians, he sent a message to Colonel Miles at the mouth of the Tongue River (Fort Keogh) to try to intercept them, meantime sending Colonel Sturgis in fast pursuit with the best horses and men. The latter officer overtook the Indians at the Yellowstone on August 13, and again the next day on the Mussel Shell, driving them north.

After receiving the message from General Howard on September 17, Colonel Miles immediately made preparation to enter the pursuit with all available force at his command. He started on September 18 with Companies F, G, and H, Second Cavalry, three companies of the Seventh Cavalry, four mounted companies of the Fifth Infantry, a detachment of infantry with a Napoleon gun, and a party of Cheyenne scouts. They moved northwest by forced marches, arriving at the Missouri River near the mouth of the Mussel Shell September 23. Learning that the Nez Perces had crossed the Missouri at Cow Island September 23, and there destroyed the depot of supplies, Colonel Miles continued the march toward the Bear Paw Mountains. He left his train to follow on September 27, and reached the northern end of Bear Paw Mountains September 29.

The scouts having discovered the trail and followed it, the Indian camp was reached the following morning on Eagle Creek, after a rapid march of 267 miles from Fort Keogh. The hostile camp was located in a curve of a cut-off of the valley, making it difficult to determine its exact size at first. The gait was increased to a gallop and orders were given for the disposition of troops as they moved along. Continue Reading »

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 27th, 2008

After the end of the Nez Perce campaign, the battalion of the Second Cavalry consisting of Companies F, G, and H, with Colonel Miles, was detached as an escort to the peace commission which was treating with Sitting Bull. It reported to General Terry at Fort Benton, Montana, and then marched to Wild Horse Lake, where the commission conferred with the Canadian officials regarding the fugitive Indians. Late in October these companies returned to Fort Ellis after being in the field eight months and marching 2,500 miles.

As a result of the Indian depredations in 1876, and the recommendations of General Sheridan, who commanded the Division of the Missouri, two new posts were built in 1877 in the area where much of the recent fighting had been taking place. Fort Keogh was built on the Yellowstone River at the mouth of the Tongue, and Fort Custer was built on the Big Horn River at the mouth of the Little Big Horn. The remainder of the Second Cavalry was ordered in September to change station from the Department of the Platte, where it had been since 1866, to the Department of Dakota, and to take station at these two new posts. Regimental Headquarters, Band, and Companies C, D, K, and M went to Fort Custer, Montana, and Companies A, B, E, and I to Fort Keogh, Montana. After arriving there, the companies immediately took the field on scouting expeditions until December.

In addition to watching the country to the north for a possible return of Sitting Bull from Canada and driving renegades back to the reservations, the regiment was confronted in 1878 with an uprising and flight of Bannock Indians from Idaho similar to that of the Nez Perces the previous year. To prevent the Bannocks from escaping into Montana, Companies H and L were sent to the pass in the mountains through which Chief Joseph escaped into the state in 1877 and there, near the town of Bannock, Montana, constructed Camp Mulkey. Upon receiving a report in August that the Bannocks were coming east, Company K left Fort Ellis and following the Madison River, struck the hostiles near Henry’s Lake, Idaho, August 27, capturing 56 ponies.

During the autumn of 1878, Little Wolf’s band of Cheyennes escaped from Fort Reno, Indian Territory, and moved north to their old home in Montana. On February 22, 1879, Lieutenant W. P. Clark, Second Cavalry, was ordered into the field to capture these Indians, taking with him Companies E and I, Second Cavalry, a detachment of mounted infantry, a squad of artillery manning a Hotchkiss gun, and some scouts. After a long and difficult search, the force came upon the hostiles at Box Elder Creek, Montana, March 25. Through great tact in dealing with the savages, Lieutenant Clark persuaded them to surrender without a fight, bringing them back to Fort Keogh, April 1. During this expedition the weather was especially severe, sometimes registering as low as 33 degrees below zero. While on their way from Powder River Telegraph Station to Fort Keogh on April 5, 1879, a sergeant of the signal corps and a private from Company E, Second Cavalry, were attacked by a band of Indians, the sergeant being wounded and the private killed. Sergeant Thomas B. Glover and ten men of Company B, Second Cavalry, with three scouts were sent in pursuit of the Indians at once. The detachment picked up the trail and by the 9th had passed through three of the former camps of the fugitives, finding portions of soldier’s clothing and equipment. The next day the savages were overtaken and compelled to surrender. They were a part of Little Wolf’s band who had escaped from Lieutenant Clark on March 25. Sergeant Glover was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the capture of this party.

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 26th, 2008

GENERAL ORDERS
No. 86
Headquarters, Fort Keogh, M. T.
April 7th, 1879

By order of Major General GIBSON,
OSCAR F. LONG,
2nd Lieutenant, 5th Infantry,
Post Adjutant.
Continue Reading »

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 25th, 2008

During the summer of 1879, large bodies of foreign Indians from British Columbia, and other groups, most of whom belonged to Sitting Bull’s band, crossed the international boundary and roamed about north of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers. From reliable sources information was obtained that they numbered about two thousand well armed warriors. They had become a refuge for small bands after committing depredations and being driven north. Colonel Miles was ordered to assemble a force at Fort Keogh, Montana, and to capture them or drive them across the boundary. This force consisted of Companies A, B, C, E, G, I, and M, Second Cavalry, seven companies of the Fifth Infantry, a detachment of artillery, and some Indian scouts. After a march north to the Missouri River at Fort Peck, the command started up the Milk River July 15, preceded by Lieutenant Clark and his scouts. That same day several French half-breeds were captured, from whom it was learned there was a party of about 400 hostile Sioux not far off.

On July 17, Lieutenant Clark made a scout up Beaver Creek, having with him Company C, Second Cavalry, and a company of the Fifth Infantry, in addition to his Indian allies. After traveling a short distance, they came upon a body of Sioux, whom they pursued for twelve miles. The Indians withdrew to their main body, which was led by Sitting Bull, and now they stiffened the resistance to Lieutenant Clark. Reenforced by other large parties, the hostiles endeavored to surround the soldiers, who entrenched themselves.

Colonel Miles received a message as to what was taking place and hurried to the scene. He deployed three companies of the Second Cavalry as skirmishers in front. Behind these were three more companies of that regiment in column of fours with wide intervals. In the rear of these were the mounted infantry also in column of fours, and the artillery. In this formation the command galloped for twelve miles over the rolling hills. Arriving on the scene of action, this force caused the Indians to make a hasty withdrawal. The troops pursued to the Canadian border and then went into camp. Five scalps were taken by the Indian allies, and a number of other hostiles were wounded. Two soldiers were wounded and three Indian scouts killed. From now until the first part of August scouting parties were sent out to pursue and arrest hostiles and half-breeds. The troops were then returned to their respective posts. Continue Reading »

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 24th, 2008

During July 1881, Troop C (the designation now being changed from company to troop), Second Cavalry, completed the erection of a monument on the Little Big Horn Battlefield in memory of the officers and men who fell there in Custer’s fight. The monument was located on the hill six feet from where the remains of General Custer were found. The bodies of officers and men were collected from the battlefield and interred at the base of the monument.

Much trouble was experienced by the troops with Cree and half-breed Indians coming across the international boundary to hunt game and to commit depredations among the settlers. The garrisons were kept on the alert to drive these marauders back across the line. The situation was much improved by the interchange of information between our forces and the Canadian police.

Troops H and L, Second Cavalry, and four companies of the Eighteenth Infantry left Fort Assiniboine, Montana, October 8, 1881, with instructions to remove all foreign Indians, half-breeds, and white intruders south to the boundary line, and especially Cree Indians reported to be on the Milk River and Browning and Woody Island creeks. After some sharp skirmishing the command destroyed three camps of the Indians and half-breeds and compelled them to move north of the boundary.

It was during the year 1881 that Sergeant David L. Brainard, Troop L, sailed as a member of the Greeley expedition to Grant-Land in the polar regions. The party of twenty-five spent three years in that area while rescue expeditions tried to reach them. A relief ship finally found them in 1884, but all had died except seven men, among the survivors being Sergeant Brainard. He later became a commissioned officer in the Second Cavalry and rose to the rank of brigadier general during his long service. Continue Reading »

• Indian Wars 1877-1883
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David.Gettman September 23rd, 2008

Orders came to the Second Cavalry in the summer of 1884 to change station to the Division of the Pacific. In compliance with G.O. No. 33, War Department, April 17, 1884, Regimental Headquarters, Band, and Troops E, F, G, H, I, and L assembled at Fort Ellis, Montana, and then marched to Fort Missoula, Montana, where they were joined by Troop B, before proceeding to their new stations. Troops A, C, K, and M assembled at Helena, Montana, before being distributed to their new posts. Troop D exchanged station with Troop E, First Cavalry which was at Fort Boise, Idaho. The two troops exchanged wagon transportation at old Fort Hall and shipped their baggage by rail.

Before leaving the Department of the Dakota, General Terry wrote the following letter to the regimental commander, Colonel Hatch:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA,
Fort Snelling, Minn., June 16, 1884

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) ALFRED H. TERRY
Brigadier-General, Commanding

The service required of the troops at their new stations was of the most peaceful kind. As the railroad and water transportation became more extensive, isolated posts were abandoned. In the Department of the Columbia, the principal posts where Indian hostilities were most likely to occur at this time were Forts Walla Walla, Spokane, and Coeur d’ Alene. In the summer, marches were made to unexplored areas and in the winter training was varied by having gymnastic drills and exercises.

In December 1884, the regiment was distributed to the new stations as follows:

Regimental Headquarters, Band, and Troops B, E, F, G, I, Fort Walla Walla, Wash.
Troops A, K, Presidio of San Francisco, Calif.
Troop C, Fort Bidwell, Calif.
Troop D, Boise Barracks, Idaho
Troop H, Fort Spokane, Wash.
Troop L, Fort Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Troop M, Fort Klamath, Ore.

• Post-Indian Wars 1884-1897
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David.Gettman September 22nd, 2008

During the year of 1885, the Nez Perce Indians were returned from the Indian Territory to their old haunts in Idaho. There were rumors of threats of violence toward them by the white settlers for murders committed during the uprising of 1877. After arriving in the Department of the Columbia, the Indians were divided into two groups. Troop G, Lieutenant Lewis commanding, conducted one group to the Lapwai Reservation in Idaho, where they were soon absorbed among their friends and relatives. The other party, which included Chief Joseph, was escorted by Troop L, under Lieutenant Carleton, from Spokane Falls, Washington, to the Colville Reservation in Idaho. It was this troop which fought these Indians so valiantly at Camas Meadows, and now eight years later was protecting them against threats from the whites.

Lieutenant Henry T. Allen, Second Cavalry, left Vancouver Barracks, Washington, January 27, 1885, on an exploration to the unknown regions of Alaska. He was accompanied by Sergeant Cady Robertson, Troop E, and Private Fickett, Signal Corps. From Sitka they traveled to Nuchek and thence ascended the Copper River by canoes. Lieutenant Allen’s explorations in this region did much to increase the meager knowledge which existed concerning it at that time.

Troops A and K suddenly received orders in December, 1885, to depart for Arizona to assist in the pursuit of the Apache Indians. Although not with the expedition under Captain Lawton and Assistant Surgeon Leonard Wood, which finally brought about the surrender of Geronimo and his elusive band, the two troops of the Second Cavalry did valiant service in chasing the Indians to their lairs. The following are quotations from the Regimental Returns indicating the type of service at this time:

May 1886. Troop A. Remained in camp at Cochise Stronghold, Arizona, scouting the country for hostile Indians until May 18, when the troop left camp en route for Middle Pass, Dragoon Mountains, in search of Indians said to have killed one man near the pass. The troop found the trail of the Indians where the man was killed and followed it as far as High Creek, sixty-six miles, when it was relieved by Troop M, Fourth Cavalry.

Troop K. In the field employed during the month in scouting the Whetstone, Catalina, Arizona, Santa Rita, and Patagonia Mountains. Also, in Sonora, Mexico, in pursuit of hostile Indians. Marched 398 miles during the month.

After Geronimo was captured, the two troops returned to the Presidio of San Francisco, October 16, 1886. During this same year Troop M was moved from Fort Klamath, Oregon, to Fort Bidwell, California, where it arrived October 27. Troop L was transferred from Fort Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Fort Sherman, Idaho, in April 1887. During the fall of 1888, Troops G and M exchanged stations, G going to Fort Bidwell, California, and M to Fort Walla Walla, Washington.

• Post-Indian Wars 1884-1897
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David.Gettman September 21st, 2008

The summer of 1889 was spent in making practice marches to unfamiliar regions of the Pacific Division of the army. Much of the country was unexplored at that time, so that the troops combined field duties with gathering information of areas not yet well known. During the year Troops E and L exchanged stations, E going to Fort Sherman, Idaho, and L to Fort Walla Walla, Washington. Troop H was transferred from Fort Spokane, Washington, to regimental headquarters at Fort Walla Walla. In April, Troop F took station at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, the headquarters of the Pacific Division. In October, this troop was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, at the station of the Infantry and Cavalry School.

G.O. No. 42, War Department, May 7, 1881, organized the school, and a regulation was soon published setting forth the curriculum. It was prescribed that there should be at least four troops of cavalry, four companies of infantry, and one battery of artillery stationed at the school. The instructions included military policy, strategy, tactics, geography, administration, campaigns and battles, military law, field fortification, signaling, mathematics, hygiene, and for the cavalry officers, equitation, hippology, and field service. The student body comprised one lieutenant from each regiment of cavalry and infantry to be selected by regimental commanders.

During the summer of 1890, the regiment exchanged stations with the Fourth Cavalry in Arizona, in compliance with G.O. 22, War Department. The Headquarters, Band, and Troops D, H, L, and M took station at Fort Lowell, Troops A and K at Fort Bowie, Troops B, C, G, and I at Fort Huachuca, and Troop E at San Carlos. After reaching the Department of Arizona, Troops L and M were made inactive in compliance with G.O. 79, War Department, and the officers and men assigned to other troops in the regiment. Troop L was later organized as an Indian troop so that the government would have in regular service sufficient scouts in case of an outbreak. Some of the troops were in the field for several months after reaching Arizona in pursuit of the Apache Kid, who with his followers murdered Sheriff Reynolds near Riverside on the Gila River. Continue Reading »

• Post-Indian Wars 1884-1897
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