June 1 through June 3: A Change of Plans

[fred]

The first two days of June, the Dakota and Montana columns were snowbound and remained in camp. On the 3rd, Terry's column again moved west, plans generally intact.

What was the failure so far and why? All these intelligence sources, yet nothing seemed to fit and no one was where they should have been or was reported to have been! Did the army simply not listen or was the information bad to begin with. Terry changed his plans this day-- the third of June-- and by 10:30 in the morning, sent George Custer south, in a whole new direction. What was up now?

[fred]

June 1: Heavy, high plains, spring blizzard; snow falling all day.

June 2: Stayed in camp; heavy snow squalls.

June 3: Broke camp, resumed move west. 35 degrees, with heaving, biting and raw winds. Temperatures began to rise and the snow melted as quickly, turning the ground soft and "mirey." Reaching rolling prairie and the weather suddenly turned beautiful. 25 miles.

[conz]

"Here, Terry received a dispatch from Gibbon (dated 27 May) that vaguely referred to sightings of hostile Indians but gave no specific details and skeptically dealt with Bradley's discovery only in postscript. As a result of this dispatch, Terry turned south on Beaver Creek and resolved to travel west to the Powder River. To facilitate further movement, he instructed his base force at Glendive Depot to send a boat with supplies to the mouth of the Powder River." - CGSC brief

Gibbon had trouble getting messengers through to Terry, but here was a critical one, that inspired Terry to march to the Powder basin.

Clair

[tubman13]

Chilly here today as well and wet.

Regards,
Tom