Sunday, May 21
The dawn was grey on 21 May, following rain all through the night at the camp of the Dakota Column¹. After a delay as a bridge was built over Hailstone Creek, the column moved out, and just after noon the clouds broke, the sun warming the weary soldiers just as the marshy terrain began to level out and improve. Making just short of 14 miles by the end of the day, passing the landmark known as Twin Buttes to the south (known to the Arikaras as the Young Maiden’s Breasts) shortly before setting up camp along Haymarsh Creek².
Twin Buttes as seen from Interstate 94, looking south through a bug-splattered windshield
In Montana, the scouting misson of Capt. Thompson returned to Gibbon’s main force with their report on the previous day’s contact. Deciding that the location was a suitable camp location, the Montana Column began to set up at the new position along the north bank of the Yellowstone just west of the Rosebud. As this was underway a trader arrived in a small boat from Bozeman to sell various goods to the troops.
The Yellowstone River
As darkness fell, an alarm was raised in the camp. After three men died on a hunting trip a war party was sighted on the south bank of the river. Believing that attacks would come at dawn, Gibbon gave orders for Reveille at 0200hrs to prepare for an attack³.
1. Dakota Column - CUSTER/TERRY - Haymarsh 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’s letter of 23 May, 1876
Weinell, p.23
Robinson, p.103