Saturday, May 27
As the Dakota Column entered the Badlands, they intended to encamp along Davis Creek, and Custer was ordered to guide the column to it. Unfortunately, he made a mistake in his course, resulting in traveling almost twice the distance expected. General Terry hints at his annoyance in his letters, stating that although almost nineteen miles were crossed today almost half were wasted¹. The General also took time to reflect on the beautiful but desolate landscapes of the badlands themselves, as the regimental band played from the side of a nearby butte while the camp was erected².
The 7th Cavalry and its wagon train on the 1874 expedition
In Montana, Lt. Bradley and his scouts departed the main camp in the early morning to scout the southern bank of the Yellowstone, encountering signs of large numbers of indians moving in the area. Upon reaching high ground, the scouts sighted an enormous encampment along the Rosebud, and remained observing it for some time before returning to the main camp. Gibbon, however, elected not to move against the village, in a move that remains to this day highly controversial. With his force down to 350 effectives and an estimate at the village’s warrior population at up to 1,000, it can be seen why Gibbon chose to exercise caution and wait for the (presumably imminent) arrival of Terry and the Dakota Column³.
1. Dakota Column - CUSTER/TERRY - Davis 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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General Terry letter of 30 May, 1876
Weinell, p.44
Robinson, p.104