Let's Try the Far West Question Again!

[Diane Merkel]

Since the original thread got hijacked -- and I admit to being a part of that -- let me present the visitor's second query in hopes that we can stay on topic with this.

It is possible that General Terry and his contingency which came overland (naturally) from Ft. Lincoln near present day Bismarck, ND, met the Far West captained by Grant Marsh at the confluence of the Yellowstone River and the Powder River. The Far West which made several runs hauling supplies to the troops in field would have sailed the Missouri and the Yellowstone Rivers. I have never read where the Far West would have tried to go up the Powder River. It is possible that Custer ordered his military band to board the Far West at the Powder/Yellowstone confluence ostensibly to keep them from harm's way. Terry further reconnoitered with the Far West at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Rosebud Rivers. It was at this point that Custer received orders from Terry to search (to the south) the valley of the Rosebud River for the "hostiles." Eventually Custer and his 12 companies crossed the "divide" to the west and engaged the "hostiles" in the valley of the Little Big Horn. Terry (and Gibbon who had come from Ft. Ellis in Montana) continued up the Yellowstone Valley, plus the valley of the Big Horn and the Little Big Horn where they were to rendezvous with Custer and engage the "hostiles" together. As we all know, Custer had already engaged the "hostiles" two days earlier.

When Marsh received word via scouts of the demise of Custer and his immediate five companies the Far West (which by that time I believe was moored at the confluence of the Big Horn and Yellowstone) sailed up the Big Horn River to the mouth of the Little Big Horn River to embark the wounded who were being transported overland. Vinatieri's band (as I understand) were on board the Far West and acted as de facto medics.

Some of the writings and postings re: Felix Vinatieri suggest/imply that he and the band stayed behind at the Powder River. My take would be that the Powder River may have been the spot where Vinatieri and group left the Cavalry and joined the Far West crew.

[markland]

Diane, I don't think "hijacked" is the proper terminology to use. We did not "hijack" the thread but are merely using it as a creative source for future exploration!

From the little I know of LBH, I think that Fred's synopsis/time-line of the movements on the first page adequately answers the person's question.

But, just my opinion...that and $5.00 will get you a latte from Starbuck's!

Be good,

Billy

[Jim]

The Band never left the Powder River Depot. The band's horses (all white) were distributed to GAC's regiment to replace those worn out on the trip from Ft. Licoln to the Powder/Yellowstone Rivers. There is NO WAY that the Far West could have gone up the Powder River more than a couple hundred yards. It's too shallow and not wide enough to navigate, even in the Spring, when the water levels are higher. The I-94 bridge across the Powder is the only spot where the cavalry could have crossed it to the west. It is also evident that this is where they crossed, as the wagon ruts are clearly visible, on both sides. It is a small spot that is rock bottom across the river. All other places in that area are mud bottom or quick-sand, not a place for cavalry/infantry to survive a crossing, even though it is only about 2 feet deep.

ALSO, when Marsh went up the Little Big Horn, he missed the mouth and continued further upstream before he realized his mistake. It took him a while to navigate back to the mouth of the LBH because of being stuck on a sandbar. He was there, I think, on the 27th. Curly arrived at the Far West on the 28th of June.

Jim

[Jim]

OOPS!

The above post should have said that when Marsh went up the BIG HORN to the mouth of the Little Big Horn, he missed it and continued further upstream!

[rch]

There were usually roll calls at various times during the day. Is there any surviving roster or other paperwork from the Powder River Depot? Who was in charge of the men of the 7th Cavalry who were left behind?

rch