Friday, May 26
Looking out over the badlands at the edge of the prairie
By now the Dakota Column was beginning to approach the entrance to the badlands, and their campsite along what is now known as Norwegian Creek was devoid of timber, requiring the engineers to use timbers brought up on wagons from Fort Abraham Lincoln when bridging was necessary¹. The men reported sightings of cactus as well as the climate became more arid, and General Terry wrote that he expected to enter the badlands proper the following day, on the 27th of May².
On the Yellowstone today was another slow day for the Montana Column, who reported no contact again.
1. Dakota Column - CUSTER/TERRY - Norwegian Creek
2. Wyoming Column - CROOK - Fort Fetterman
3. Montana Column - GIBBON - Yellowstone River/Rosebud Creek
4. Sioux Encampment - US Intelligence position - Little Missouri River
5. Sioux Encampment - Actual position - Rosebud Creek/Yellowstone
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Weinell, p.40
Letter of General Terry, 30 May, 1876