June 23: Unknown Signs, Signs of the Unknown

[AZ Ranger]

Shavetails and Bell Sharps
The History of the U.S Army Mule
By Emmett M. Essin

"On 23 June the pack mules could not keep up with the command. As the Seventh followed the valley of the Rosebud, it crossed the river five times in three miles. The steep banks and the mud further wearied the already weakened mules. At one crossing Benteen complained, 'it took exactly one and a half hours to get the packtrain across, so, by that time Custer's column was six miles ahead of my train."

["Hunk" Papa]

The Far West

From Willert's LBH Diary page 232 'June 23d was a long, taxing day for the Far West, as it continued its difficult push upriver against the strong current of the Yellowstone toward the confluence of the Big Horn........the distance in river miles between the Rosebud confluence and the Big Horn was 93 miles. Since the late start [emphasis mine] up the river on June 22d [4.00 p.m.], only 17 miles had been gained, and since the Montana Column scouts, on this evening of the 23d, had spotted the vessel moored about 15 miles below 'Fort Pease' [this site 6 miles below the the Big Horn confluence], the Far West must have covered about 55 river miles this June 23d.....General Terry recorded that the steamer "tied up at 8.40 p.m."....
The day had been unusually hot, and, on board the steamer, Col. John Gibbon had fallen so ill that he had been obliged to take to his bed.'

Terry is still behind schedule

[Gerry]

Recently I made a trip up the Rosebud Creek. Maybe some of you may like a look at the June 23 camp. If you wish to follow along you may view this page. These are the same views the 7th viewed as they traveled.

Pvt. Peter Thompson said,"On the 23rd of June we moved over a very rough piece of country. .... We camped that night on Beaver Creek where we found plenty of bad water, but good grazing for our horses. It kept them busy to fill themselves up after they were picketed out, for we had made a very long march. Custer seemed tireless himself and seemed to think his men were made of the same stuff."