LITTLE BIG HORN
David.Gettman October 5th, 2008
Simultaneously with the assembling of Crooks’ command at Fetterman, Terry was preparing to enter the field. He marched from Fort Lincoln, North Dakota, May 17, with the Seventh Cavalry, three Gatling guns, and six companies of infantry. On June 7 he established a supply camp at the mouth of the Powder River. From here Major Reno with six companies of the Seventh Cavalry made a scout to the Rosebud, picking up an Indian trail leading toward the Big Horn River.
The column from Fort Ellis, Montana, had marched east along the north bank of the Yellowstone in order to make a junction with General Terry’s force. It consisted of Companies F, G, H, and L, Second Cavalry, and six companies of the Seventh Infantry. These two forces combined at the junction of the Yellowstone and Rosebud Rivers.
General Terry decided to divide his force into two parts. Colonel Gibbons, with all the force except the Seventh Cavalry, was sent up the Big Horn to the mouth of the Little Big Horn. Colonel Custer with the Seventh Cavalry was to proceed to the Rosebud until he discovered the direction taken by the trail found by Major Reno. He was then to veer to the south and prevent the hostiles from escaping west to the mountains. The two columns were to unite on the Little Big Horn, June 26. At the conference June 21, Terry offered, at Major Brisbin’s suggestion, to send with Custer the battalion of the Second Cavalry, but he later declined.
Gibbons’ column, which included Companies F, G, H, and L, Second Cavalry, was ferried to the south side of the Yellowstone River by the supply steamer Far West. They followed along this stream until the Big Horn was reached, which was ascended. By forced marches the command came to a point twelve miles below the mouth of the Little Big Horn. General Terry was anxious to join forces with Colonel Custer and decided to push on that evening with the cavalry and Gatling guns. The night was stormy and the path was so rough that the command halted at midnight to await daylight. The battalion moved out late next morning to permit the infantry to partially close up. Soon after leaving bivouac, word was brought in that two of the Crow Indians who had been sent with Custer were across the Big Horn and refused to cross. They said that Custer’s command had been beaten and that he had been killed. This of course was not believed by anyone. The infantry having arrived, the united command moved up the Little Big Horn about three miles from its mouth and made camp about 1:00 p.m. Continue Reading »
