Second Cavalry Roster

[Diane Merkel]

Please assist this website visitor:

I am trying to authenticate some information about a ledger reputedly taken from a Lakota burial lodge left on the Little Big Horn by Sergeant John R. Nelson of Lieut. Rowe's 2nd Cavalry. Is there a roster of the 2nd Cavalry that verifies the names of Nelson and Rowe as being part of that campaign? I would appreciate any help that you could provide.

[markland]

Diane, I plan on running over to Leavenworth either Sunday or Tuesday so I will look in the 2 Cav. Regimental Returns and see if I spot Sgt. Nelson. While the regimental returns do not list every troop, it does list the officers, their rank, position and location; as well, it itemizes special details, etc. that the regiment had performed during the month. With the information of which company Lowe was in, I can cross-reference to see if Sgt. Nelson had been detailed at some time either previous to or after LBH.

And, sometimes we are in luck and his name may appear on the sick list or for some other reason.

Best of wishes,

Billy

[Diane Merkel]

That's great, Billy. Thank you!

[Ephriam Dickson]

Diane:

Yes, Co. F 2nd Cavalry, commanded by 2nd Lieut. Charles F. Roe, was with Gibbon's column.

Remember that the Second Cavalry had been split, with most of the regiment serving in the Department of the Platte and four companies, including Roe's F, in the Department of Dakota. These four companies were referred to as the Montana Battalion. The regiment was reunited in the fall of 1877 with the transfer of the remaining companies to the Department of Dakota. In fact, the often published photograph of the 2nd cavalry encampment at Fort Fetterman supposedly during the summer campaign of 1876 was actually taken in the fall of 1877 as these companies traveled north to their duty stations.

And yes, there is a Sgt. John R. Nelson serving in Company F during this period. According to the Regimental Returns, he went on furlough shortly after the company returned from the field.

Ephriam

[markland]

Diane, I found nothing to the contrary from what Ephriam supplied.

Of course, I did stumble upon one interesting thing looking through the 2 Cav.'s regimental returns. Of the roughly 170 men of the 2 Cav. who died from all causes 1866-1879, 16 of them died from drowning! Of course they took a bad hit in, I believe, July, 1867 as four men drowned on the same day near Red Buttes, WY upstream from Ft. Caspar. No other information was given beyond that they had drowned at Red Buttes but I wonder if they were trying to ford the Platte?

Best of wishes,

Billy

[Diane Merkel]

Thanks Ephriam, Billy, and TwoMoons (who helped by e-mailing me directly). I will make sure the information is passed along.