Private George / Casualty of LBH at Powder River

[Lawtonka]

Private William Montell George of Company H was wounded on the hilltop. While in medivac on the Far West he died at 4 a.m. on July 3, 1876. The boat was stopped long enough to remove him at the mouth of the Powder River for burial.

He was buried by Moore's Company of the 6th Infantry on the back. It is stated that a stone marker was dedicated at his gravesite by Terry on July 4th.

Does anyone know if he ever received a proper Government Marker? Is his grave marked today? Anyone got a photo of the grave?

I found this information in Men With Custer, I thought this was interesting and hopfully his grave is marked. I would sure like to visit the spot on my next trip out there, if it is known.

[Jim]

Lawtonka,

If you go to lbha.org/Research/WilliamGeorge.htm you will see Pvt. George's grave today. It has a proper government grave marker. However, a couple of years ago, someone fired several rounds at the headstone. The grave is located about 6 miles southwest of Terry, Montana at the Powder River Depot.

If you take I-94 westbound from Terry, exit 169 will get you to the vicinity of the PRD. On the northeast side of the Powder River bridge, just after the guardrail ends there is a gravel road that goes under the BNSF railroad bridge. Go under it and when you see a gated field to the northeast you either open it, or if opened, proceed through it and follow the dirt road for about 3 miles to get to his grave. There is a marker before you get to George's grave marking the spot where Scout Brockmeyer was killed. Both of them are surrounded by a black metal fence. Hope that helps.

Jim

[Lawtonka]

Hey Jim, Thanks a million! What would we ever do with out internet? Any time I read something like this it spurs an interest to discover even more. Great pictures! I like these little side line trips to the main battle history.

[George Armstrong Custer]

Tim and Jim - well done to both of you for raising the question of an interesting sidebar and providing a resolution to it. A great example of what this forum does best! The only thing that bugs me is what kind of a two-bit rednecked peckerwood would think it reasonable to use the marker of a fallen soldier as target practise?

Regards,
GAC

[Jim]

GAC,

The BLM did raise a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest & conviction of the person or persons responsible for the damage to the headstone, but so far nothing has been resolved yet.

Jim

[George Armstrong Custer]

Jim - great to hear that the authorities are at least trying to bring the culprit to book. But I'm sure there was another post on the forum over the past week or so which referred to another grave marker which had been used for target practise. Who are these morons?!

Regards,
GAC

[Lawtonka]

Hey guys, I am pretty sure the McIntosh marker has seen the same vandalism. A sad thing. I don't have a photo of the McIntosh marker, but I remember in 2003 one of the seasonal rangers was telling me about it being shot up pretty bad.

[Jim]

Lawtonka,

Also, when you exit at #169 (Powder River Rd.), you will be heading north until the road comes to a "T" intersection. You will turn right on old route #10, heading east. Just to your left in that field, before you come to the bridge, you can see another OLD CEMETARY. This cemetary contains the remains of several Buffalo hunters from the late 1800's. There used to be a stage stop there as well. The only remains of that is an indentation in the ground where they had their root cellar. Supposedly, the people of Terry are planning on making a park in that area explaining the cemetary, stage stop and other interesting information in that area.

ALSO, after you cross the Powder River bridge, a little further down on highway 10, past where you turn off to go under the railroad tracks, there is a large sign explaining the Powder River Depot, at a roadway park.

AND, if you want to stop in Terry to get a bite to eat, Roy Rogers Saloon has reasonably priced good food. GEE, don't I sound like I'm part of the Terry Chamber of Commerce!?!?!?

Have Fun,
Jim

[Treasuredude]

companyc said:

Hey guys, I am pretty sure the McIntosh marker has seen the same vandalism. A sad thing. I don't have a photo of the McIntosh marker, but I remember in 2003 one of the seasonal rangers was telling me about it being shot up pretty bad.

Hodgson's marker too has been riddled with bullets. Sad.

[stevewilk]

Along with Pvt. George, there was Cpl. George King who died a day earlier and was buried along the Yellowstone at the mouth of the Big Horn. Is this site marked and Jim, if so, can you give directions?

[Jim]

Steve,

Unfortunately, I have never been to King's burial site, although I have heard that it was near Pease Bottoms. My main area of expertise is the Powder River Depot area. I forgot to also mention that across from the PRD, across the Yellowstone, there is a prominent butte called "Sheridan's Butte." The personnel left at the PRD used to use that as an observation post for the Army. At the top, on the western end, are three different initials , unit designation and dates, carved into the sides of the rock. I think, if I remember correctly, two are from the 7th Cavalry and one from the 6th Infantry.

Jim

[fred]

Jim--

As usual, I'm a day late & a dollar short. Those are great photos! And I guess that is one of the reasons why Jim is Jim. The very best.

Fred.