Reno's Wounded - Pack Trains

[Diane Merkel]

Here's a question from a website visitor:

What was the nature of Reno's wounded ? What was carried on the pack mules ?

[Steve Wilk]

Reno's wounded were cared for by Dr. Porter, who being the only surgeon with the Reno battalion, must have worked to the point of exhaustion. A small saucer like depression on top of the hill served as the field hospital. Here Porter dressed the wounds as best he could; and even amputated the shattered leg of Pvt. Madden. After the siege was lifted and the arrival of the Terry-Gibbon command, the wounded were paintstakenly transported to the steamer Far West for transport back to Ft. Lincoln. Capt. Grant Marsh made the trip in record time with this most precious of cargoes. At least one trooper, a Pvt. William George, died on the boat and was buried along the banks of the Powder River.

As for the packs, they carried mainly crates of ammunition (which is why Custer included "p.s. bring pacs" in his last message) as well as extra rations (bacon, hardtack, and probably oats for the horses).

[bigpond]

The Pack Mules were also used to transport the worst of the wounded,using canvas or similiar material between two mules.