Saturday, June 24
Shortly after the breaking camp this morning the 7th Cavalry discovered the abandoned site of the Sioux Sun Dance near the Deer Medicine Rock, where the column halted while Custer met with his officers. Continuing on, the column continued to follow the trail of Sitting Bull’s village, the attached Arikara scouts becoming increasingly nervous at the signs that the enemy was gathered nearby in great strength. The column came to a halt along the Rosebud in the shadow of the Wolf Mountains at sundown, setting camp while the a scouts moved ahead. George Herendeen also broke off from the command today, following Tullock’s Creek for his rendevous with Terry and the Montana Column.
The site of Custer’s 27th and final camp, along the Rosebud in present day Busby, Montana
To the north, the Far West arrived at the Montana Column’s camp, and preparations began at once for the march along the Bighorn River to meet Custer’s command. Ferry operations began at noon, with the Crow scouts going first, followed by the cavalry and the infantry. The crossing of the full force took four hours, and the march began at 1600, making five miles before making camp along Tullock’s Fork. General Terry had taken ill and remained on the riverboat, intending to join the column the next day. It was hoped that the Far West would be able to make it as far upriver as the Little Bighorn.
The 7th’s scouts, meanwhile, had moved up under the leadership of Lt. Charles Varnum toward the Wolf Mountains, where the Crow scouts knew of a hollow with a commanding view, aptly known as the Crow’s Nest. The main column broke camp at 2300hrs to move up closer to the scouts, moving through the near pitch darkness of the moonless night. The command stopped again at 0200hrs on the 25th, sleeping under the stars, with Custer himself lying under a bush with his hat pulled over his eyes.
1. Powder River Depot
2. 7th Cavalry - Custer - Wolf Mountains
3. Montana Column - GIBBON - Bighorn River/Tullock’s Creek
4. Sioux Encampment - SITTING BULL - Little Bighorn River
5. Wyoming Column - CROOK - Goose Creek’s Nest