May 18 through May 20: The First Days Out

[fred]

These were the first three days out for the Dakota column. Little of any significance befell these men other than the rigors of weather, terrain, and army life on campaign.

What was going on with the other columns or were they suffering through the doldrums as well?

[fred]

May 18: The Dakota column traveled 11 miles; by 3 p.m., fierce thunderstorms and lightning struck.

May 19: Heavy clouds, cool weather. Rough and broken country, huge boulders, deep ravines, and bogs. Ground was soft; storms threatened. 12 1/2 miles completed.

May 20: Heavy rains in the morning and at night; rained intermittently all day. Coulees cut the terrain. 9 1/2 miles.

[fred]

An enlisted man's dog-tent...



Best wishes,
Fred.

[Horse Thief]

Trying to plot the voyage across ND on a map. In order for them to camp on the Heart River 14 miles out on May 17, they had to depart Ft Lincoln in a WSW direction (approx. 250 degrees). Anyone know whether they followed the Heart River from that point or did they cross it and continue due west ?

[kenny]

Actually, they follow the Missouri river, until past the trading post call fort union. Which I'm not sure was built back then. They turn onto the Yellowstone river and follow it until they arrive at the Rosebud. Which I think the 7th follow, while Terry group continue on the Yellowstone, until they arrive at the big horn river and follow it until the arrived at the Little Big Horn river and follow it until they meet the survivors of companies of the 7th.

After the 7th had split off from Terry group. They follow the Rosebud river, Until they found the Indian trail. Which they follow until they arrived at the little big horn river.

[Horse Thief]

Sorry, but there is no way they could've travelled up the Missouri to the Yellowstone. Via that route they would not have been close to places that they were known to have been:

1. Camped for the nite of May 27 near Fryburg, ND.

2. Stuck in camp from evening of May 31 to morning of June 3 (because of a spring blizzard) 8 miles S of Sentinel Butte, ND.

3. Travelling north on the Powder River to its junction with the Yellowstone on June 11.

[kenny]

You're right in a way. Only the steamer Far West went the route I mention. But I don't know if she went down the Big Horn river or just stay at the mouth of that river.

But here is part of a written statement from Lt. Godfrey.

Nothing of special interest occurred until the 27th of May, when we came to the Bad Lands of the Little Missouri River. On the 30th, General Custer was sent with four troops to make a scout up the Little Missouri, for about twenty miles. He returned the same day, without having discovered any recent "Indian signs." On the 31st we crossed the Little Missouri without difficulty. On the 1st and 2nd of June we were obliged to remain in camp on account of a snow-storm.

We remained in camp on the Powder River for three days. General Terry went to the Yellowstone to communicate with the supply steamer FAR WEST, which was at the mouth of the Powder River. He also went up the Yellowstone to communicate with General Gibbon's command, known as the "Montana Column," composed of four troops of the 2nd Cavalry and several companies of the 7th Infantry. Before General Terry left it was given out that the 7th Cavalry would be sent to scout up the Powder River, while the wagontrain, escorted by the infantry, would be sent to establish a supply camp at the mouth of the Powder.

[Rabble]

Hi Horsethief
You are correct in saying that the 7th did not go via up the Missouri and then down the Yellowstone.
Here are the campsites for ND

17 May 13.5 miles west of Fort AL
18 May Approx 2 miles west of Sweetbrier Station on NPRR
19 May Near New Salem ND
20 May 46 miles from Fort AL
21 May 8.5 miles north and .5 mile west of Glen Ullin ND
22 May 3.5 miles west of Hebron ND
23 May 7.75 miles further near Youngman's Butte
24 May 1.5 miles northwest of Gladstone ND
25 May 5 miles north of South Heart ND
26 May 3.5 miles south of Belfield ND
27 May 6 miles south and 1 mile west of Fryburg ND

All by courtesy of the late James Willert.

If you want the rest of the campsites just let me know

Ron

[Horse Thief]

Rabble,
Thank you, thank you - exactly what I was lookin' for. You saved me a whole bunch of digging.

Would love to have the rest (if not too much trouble). Could send a PM, or e-mail ([e-mail]) or just post on here.

Thanx again,
Bill

[AZ Ranger]

Looks like they took highway 94 to start

[Horse Thief]

Ranger:

Noticed that. Terry musta wanted to make better time on the Interstate. Shoulda stayed on it all the way out - coulda got to the LBH before the Indians did !