Trailrider #896 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 June 16, 1876, Camp Cloud Peak, Wyoming Territory*, with the Big Horn & Yellowstone Expedition of 1876. We have a force of 2nd and 3rd Cavalry and 4th Infantry, plus teamsters and packers, as well as Shoshone and Crow Indian scouts. Gen. George Crook is the commander of this, the main column, hunting hostile Sioux and Cheyenne. We have had several skirmishes with Sioux, but don't expect them to be much trouble. Gen. Terry, with Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer as his strike force commander, 7th Cavalry, and Col. Gibbon, out of Ft. Shaw, Montana Territory, look to trap the hostiles between us. Gen. Crook has just ordered us to prepare to march up the Tongue River, starting about 2 in the morning. We expect to stop briefly at Rosebud Creek for breakfast. Not sure where the Indians might be, but we have a large enough force they shouldn't present any problem. I am presently riding with Lt. Emmett Crawford's Company G, 3rd Cavalry. Crawford is an excellent, experienced officer, and is expecting promotion to captain soon. - John Finerty, correspondent for the Chicago Times. *Where Sheridan, WY now stands. June 17th will prove to be more than just the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill! Stay tuned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Nine days before.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said: Nine days before.... But in the meantime... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grass Range Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 What is next? June 17 is today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 June 17, 1876 - We started out at 2:00 AM, with Gen. Crook having left our supply wagons at Camp Cloud Peak, packing our supplies on our mules, and proceeding up the Tongue River to Rosebud Creek. We stopped for an early morning breakfast and coffee, and were minding our own business, when the sound of gunfire echoed off the higher ground. At first we thought it was our Indian allies shooting at some buffalo, but suddenly our Shoshone scouts came galloping in shouting, "Heap Sioux! Heap Sioux!" And indeed we have been attacked by many Lakota and Cheyenne warriors! The Battle of the Rosebud has begun! General Crook ordered Capt. Fred VanVliet and Lt. Crawford to take and hold the high ground to the south of the creek, to prevent the hostiles from flanking us. He ordered Capt. (Bvt. Col.) Anson Mills to take his battalion to the high ground on the east. We will see what happens! More later...presuming we all still have our hair! John Finerty - reporter for the Chicago Times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share Posted June 18, 2020 June 17, 1876 - A little after 6:00 PM - We have concluded the fighting around 2:00 PM this afternoon. Gen. Crook insists we have defeated the Indians because we still held the field. We have suffered at least 50 casualties, in killed and wounded. Trumpeter Snow had both wrists shot through, and Capt. Guy V. Henry was grievously wounded in the face. He is blinded in one eye and it is doubtful he will survive!* It is unknown what casualties the Indians suffered. Because of our wounded, Gen. Crook has decided to return south to his base camp. In fact, the battle was a near thing. The general sent Anson Mills down Rosebud Canyon to see if he could locate an Indian encampment reported to be in that area. However, because of the course of the fight, he felt it advisable to recall Mills' battalion. He sent his aide, Lemly, who caught up with Mills. Mills was able to defile out of the canyon at the only place that afforded the possibility. This put him behind the hostiles, and when they saw this, broke off the fight!' It is probably a good thing, as it is reported our troops, scouts and packers expended some 50,000 rounds of ammunition! Crook is sending out a scouting party under Lt. Sibley. I am thinking of accompanying him. Crook has also sent out couriers to see if they can locate Gen. Terry and Custer. Gen. Crook has also sent dispatches and is requesting that Col. Wesley Merritt be sent up with the 5th Cavalry. More later, as time and conditions permit. Your obedient servant, John Finerty - Correspondent for the Chicago Times *Guy V. Henry did, in fact, survive, and resumed his Army career, although blinded in one eye. He retired near the turn of the century! Tough old bird! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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