During spring 1866 the last voluntary troops raised during the Civil War were mustered out and the army needed new units to take their place in occupying south and pacifying the frontier. One of the new regiments rised was later so famous 7th Cavalry. The first commander of the regiment was colonel (bvt.major-general) A.J.Smith. He was one of the Civil War favorites of generals Grant and Sherman. Before the Civil War Smith had achieved some fame as a frontier soldier in Washington and Oregon. Smith was one of the succesfull Union generals in the Civil War. He had also received a dubious reputation for destroying missions given to him by Sherman. Smith`s division was generally known as A.J.Smith`s Gorillas.
The lieutenant-colonel of the new regiment, George Armstrong Custer, was however destined to become much more famous soldier than A.J.Smith. Often it has been misunderstood that it was Custer who commanded the regiment. Custer had risen rapidly in the ranks during the Civil War, thanks to his great offensive spririt. He had proven to be a somewhat poor tactician but was favored by his commander because of his courage. In the end of the war Custer was a major-general and commander of a cavalry division.
In the spring 1867 the regiment was moving the the Central Plains where a war between Cheyennes and USA was thought to be imminent. The war was pretty much inherited from the Civil War time, when the actions of the voluntary troops had started a huge Indian war in the Plains. Army had eventually rushed so much voluntary troops to the Plains that Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Brules and Lakotas had abandoned their hunting-grounds between Platte River and Arkansas River and retreated north and south. A new shorter route from Missouri River to Denver was build through this country, the Smoky Hill Route. When in autumn 1865 Indian tribes started to return from north they found this new road already in existence. There were clashed during the winter but peace envoys succeeded in calming the situation during 1866. However new Cheyenne and Lakota tribes came from the north during 1866, who had not signed any peace treaty. Year 1866 was spend without open hostilities. The great struggle for the Central Plains was however drawing near. In spring 1867 two transcontinental railroads would enter the area from east, linking east and west coast together. These railroads would cut through Indian hunting-grounds. The Indians knew this would mean their destruction and naturally rose to oppose the railroads. There were small incidents in spring 1867.
New commander of the department of The Plains was major-general Winfield Scott Hancock. He heard about the danger of Indian war and decided to prevent it by active measures. Hancock was brilliant soldier but had only little experience of Indian wars in the Plains. His intervention was both clumsy and badly planned. With the fierce struggle on it`s way in northside of the Platte over Bozeman Trail, with Lakota`s, Cheyennes and Arapahoes there proving a match to the soldiers, it was a wrong time to start another conflict in the Central Plains. Unfortunately for the army, this is what Hancock managed to do. He organised an expedition, with a purpose to go and meet the Indians and make them keep the peace. Hancock took with him 1400 soldiers. Of them 8 companies were cavalry, from the 7th Cavalry. General Hancock met the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers near Fort Larned. He appeared threatening and the Indians fled, fearing another massacre. Hancock then burned their camp and the war started. 7th Cavalry was sent to chase the Indians.
What about the 7th Cavalry in the spring? It`s commander, A.J.Smith, was in detached service as the commander of the district of Upper Arkansas, in which the regiment mostly operated. His headquarters were in Fort Riley. Lieutenant-colonel G.A.Custer was with general Hancock, leading the 8 companies of the regiment. He was in command of the troops send to chase the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. The oldest of the three regimental majors was Alfred Gibbs. He was in april 1867 commanding Fort Hays, one of the forts protecting Smoky Hill route and the railroad. To the regimental headquarters in Hayes were also marked regimental adjutant, 1st lieutenant M.Moylan and 1st lieutenant T.Weir, Assistant Commissary of Stores. However Weir did not spend a long time in this duty before he was transferred to the district headquarters to be the acting assistant-adjutant-general. Regimental Quartermaster was 2nd Lieutenant C.Brewster. Youngest of the regimental majors, Joel Elliot, the youngest major in the U.S Army, was with general Hancock`s expedition and so was major Cooper.
7TH CAVALRY IN CHASE OF THE INDIANS
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The main body of the 7th Cavalry started after the Cheyennes fleeing
from Fort Larned and going north. They were much faster than the cavalry and
soon left them far behind. The regiment was new to the plains and made a lot of
mistakes. In 17th of april the regiment reached Smoky Hill route.
They soon learned that several of the post stations in the route had been
attacked and destroyed. Large groups of Indians had crossed the route going
north. The horses of the regiment were worn out so Custer let them rest near
Fort Hays. He however send major Cooper with two companies to guard Cimarron
Crossing. The major managed to find 6 Cheyennes on foot, and 2 of them were
killed. Private G.Wimard, company C was badly wounded.
In first day of june the horses were fit to travel again and Custer lead 350 men north towards Platte River. It proved to be a total waste of time. No Indians were caught. The mood in the regiment was really bad and got worse when major Cooper killed himself in 8th of june after depression. Four days later the regiment reached Fort McPherson on Overland Trail. They rested briefly and then started back south to chase the Indians. In 26th of june Custer was halfway between Fort Wallace and Fort Sedgwick. He decided to camp there, scout the country carefully while paggage train was send to Fort Wallace to get supplies. Lieutenant Robbins with company D was detailed to guard the train, and captain West with company K would escort them all the way to Beaver Creek and then remain there to scout. Lieutenant Cooke was commanding the train, which was also accompanied by famous scout Bill Comstock, who was killed in summer 1868 by Cheyennes. Meanwhile the main unit did not see any Indians until they attacked the main camp. These were warriors of Pawnee Killer, famous Southern-Oglala warchief who at this time had joined the Cheyenne Dog Soldier in war. Indians tried to steal horses but were repulsed. One soldier was badly wounded.
Custer was now aware that there were Indians in the area and immediately send
captain Myers with company E to reinforce West in Beaver Creek. West received
orders to go and meet the train, which could be in trouble. This proved out to
be the truth. The train had made it peacefully to Fort Wallace and was
returning when it was ambushed. Bill Comstock had however warned of the ambush
and the soldiers were ready and could hold their own until captains West and
Myers came to the assistance. No clear casualty figures were given, but Custer
mentioned several soldiers wounded. The situation of the train had for a time
been critical and Cheyenne Dog Soldiers almost scored a major victory. Escorted
by three companies the train made it to the camp safely.
The regiment contined to search for Indians in the area, but everything indicated that the hostiles had moved south and were around Fort Wallace. On 4th of july the regiment started south towards Fort Wallace. They were slow in obeying their orders, and due this something terrible had happened. The regiment was supposed to be already in more southern area. From Fort Sedgwick 2nd Lieutenant Lyman Kidder with 10 soldiers and 1 Indian scout had been send to deliver a message to Custer. Kidder was an infantry-soldier. Instead of Custer he met Pawnee Killer`s Oglalas who after a long chase killed the whole party. Also 2 Oglalas were killed. Custer with his companies came too late to the area and could only bury the soldiers. After this the regiment moved to Fort Wallace. The main body of the regiment spend the rest of the summer trying to fatten their exhausted horses, practically out of the war. Their campaing had been embarrassing one with probably not a single Indian killed.
When Custer had been chasing Indians the Indians had been striking Santa Fe and Smoky Hill routes without anyone to stop them. Huge disasters had happened. Only few companies of the 7th Cavalry had been at first to protect the routes. Desertions were a major problem for the regiment during the campaign. It was a summer of disasters since cholera epidemic hit the troops, including 7th Cavalry. Custer got so worried for his wife that he left his troops to Fort Wallace and proceeded without authority towards east with a small force, claiming to get supplies for his troops. With 72 soldiers Custer proceeded to Fort Harker. Some men couldn`t keep up with the unit. They were attacked by Indians. 1 soldier was killed and 1 wounded. They were abandoned by Custer, and rescued by captain Carpenter of the 10th (Colored) Cavalry. For this shamefull episode and shooting of few deserters Custer was courtmartialed and lost his commission.
7TH CAVALRY
PROTECTING THE ROUTES
When main body of the regiment started after the Indians in spring 1867 a few companies were left to protect Santa Fe and Smoky Hill Routes. Forts were occupied by infantry-units who secured the posts and escorted mail and trains. When it came to actually catching the Indians, only cavalry units were usefull. The handfull of 7th Cavalry companies in the early summer 1867 had no chance against the Indians. In Fort Hays only cavalry unit was a detachment of 2 officers and 43 men drawn from 7th Cavalry`s companies A, D, H, and M. The companies themselves were with Hancock and Custer. Of the two officers another one was 1st lieutenant Thomas Custer, lieutenant-colonel`s brother, who was marked as present, sick. In june Fort Hays still only had a detachment of 7th Cavalry to support 6 infantry companies. Detachment had the strength of 1+67. Disaster struck Fort Hays on the 7th june when a terrible and destructive storm hit the camp. Lot`s of material was lost and the camp had to be moved (though the post would have been moved anyway to a more safer place, soon). Attached in Fort Hays in june 1867 were captain F.Benteen, of company H, assistant-surgeon H.Lippincott, 7th Cavalry F&S, 2nd Lieutenant C.Brewster, acting regimental Q.M, and 2nd lieutenant D.A.Wallingford, absent with leave since june 28th 1867. All these also experienced the terrible storm that came close to drowning the whole outfit. In may 1867 6 soldiers of the cavalry detachment in Fort Hays deserted. They were attacked by 20 Indians in Cow Creek. 5 of the deserters were killed and one was wounded.
The situation was not much better in Fort Lyon, which was not as central post as Hays. In april 1867 company B was marked as, marched from post en route to Fort Dodge, april 3.1867. In may 5th company C had arrived to replace them. It had a strength of 1+61. Company was commanded by 1st lieutenant M.Berry. In june C had a strength of 1+75, but it had lost 17 men as deserters. This emphasises well the problem of desertions for the regiment. The Indians made several attack on the south side of Arkansas River. Company C chased on june 22nd. Company marched 40 miles but caught no Indians. On 29th C marched 20 mails scouting for Indians. Company C stayed in Fort Lyon through 1867. Lack of officers made it`s work difficult. Only officer present was lieutenant Berry, and even he was absent with leave during most of july and returned on august. On october newly promoted captain L.P.Gillette took company C . The officer problem was not however immediately solved since Gillette was absent. On december he is marked as absent on D.S. at Fort Reynolds since october 12th 1867. Also 2nd lieutenant Weston was in the fort, but he was marked as attacked, transferred to company K november 20th 1867. In december 1867 Weston was absent on D.C. chasing deserters.
Fort Lyon was not in the middle of all the disasters that happened, but Fort Dodge was. In april 1867 company B was there under captain William Thompson. It had a strength of 1+75. Company B was in a really bad situation, not knowing which way to run as the Indians were attacking everywhere. Their situation was made even worse when june 12th Kiowas charged the herd of the company. 21 horses were run off by the Indians and 1 soldier of B was mortally wounded. This soldier was private T.Spillman. This setback almost immobilized the company. Worth noticing is also the absense of two officers of the company during the whole summer. Only captain Thompson was on duty. Thompson was in command of Fort Dodge in july 1867. In july the strength of the company was 1+64. That is when cholera hit Fort Dodge. During the month 11 soldiers died of the disease, including 1 from company B. Also 11 civilian employers in the fort died. This tells how dangerous the disease was. In september the company lost another man, private J.White, died of disease. The problem with the officers was resolved only in winter. 1st Lieutenant D.W.Wallingford and 2nd Lieutenant B.Bassett arrived on november to serve in the company.
In the Colorado side of the Central Plains was situated Fort Morgan. In april 1867 company L of the 7th Cavalry was stationed there with a strength of 3+53. Officers were captain W.Sheridan, commanding the post, 1st lieutenant Lee P.Gillette, acting assistant-quartermaster and acting commissary of stores, and 2nd lieutenant H.H.Bell. These were all from company L. In april 6th 1867 company lost it`s commissary sergeant, Auchinleck, died of disease. Company stayed in Morgan through the spring, but it soon became obvious that everything in the area was peacefull and cavalry units were needed in more threatened areas. In june 1867 company left Fort Morgan and went to found Fort Reynolds. New post was found in june 18th 1867. It`s garrison was only company L. 1st lieutenant L.Pee Gillette took command of the post. 2nd lieutenant H.H.Bell was post adjutant. Captain W.Sheridan was absent on detached service since june 17th 1867. Company L stayed in Fort Reynold through the summer, but saw no action. In septembet company L was still in Fort Reynolds with a strength of 2+36. As an alteration, Lee P.Gillette was marked as promoted to captain, august 10th 1867, temporarily in command of company L. H.H.Bell was promoted to 1st lieutenant, august 11th 1867. Captain W.Sheridan was absent, apparently through the whole summer. The free commission for the 2nd lieutenant of company L was filled soon. On october 3rd 1867 arrived 2nd lieutenant I.H.Shellaberger. Captain Gillette stayed with the company until he was relieved december 13th 1867.
Most isolated and central of all the forts in the Central Plains was Fort Wallace. In april 1867 captain M.Keogh with company I was there. Also to the fort had arrived on the 4th of april 28 recruits for company I under command of 2nd Lieutenant J.M.Bell, company I. Captain Keogh was in command of the post in april and may. On 26th of may party of Indians drove off the herd of contractor cattle. On the 27th company I pursued and managed to recapture all but 5 of the cattle.
In june things started to get worse. General Hancock arrived 18th of june to Wallace on his inspection tour. He left towards Denver the same day. With just one cavalry company Wallace had been weak. Now Hancock took with him as an escort most of company I in command of captain Keogh. 1st Lieutenant Joseph Hale of the 3rd Infantry took command of Fort Wallace. All cavalry left in the post was 2nd lieutenant J.M.Bell with one squad of company I and also a squad from company G under sergeant Dummell. Indians seemed to be everywhere around the post, attacking mail-coaches and inflicting casualties to escorts.
In late june things were ready for a confrontation between virtually besieged garrison of Fort Wallace and Cheyenne and Lakota warriors defending their homeland. Fort Wallace was commanded by 1st lieutenant D.M.Lee from the 37th Infantry. 1st lieutenant J.Hale of 3rd Infantry was acting quartermaster and 1st lieutenant Frederick H.Beecher of the 3rd Infantry post adjutant. Beecher would later become famous for dying in battle of The Arikaree, which would be also known as the battle of Beecher Island. Only cavalry officer was 2nd lieutenant J.M.Bell of the company I.
On 21st of june about 300 Indians attacked a mule herd near Wallace and took 26 mules. Lieutenant Bell collected the few troops he had and rushed out to rescue the herd and herders threatened. A skirmish followed and lasted for 2 hours. Bell has received less than enthusiastic support from mounted civilians who according to some reports abandoned his troopers when fighting became heavy. Soldiers were not able to get the herd back. Sergeant Dummell, commanding the squad of company G, was killed in the fight as well as private Baern of company I. Two soldiers were badly wounded, privates Keene and Jeffrey, both from company G. Though it was not said so in any reports, this was a defeat for the soldiers. Worse was to follow.
Now it is time to meet the last company of the 7th Cavalry unaccounted for. This was company G commanded by captain Albert Barnitz, bvt.lieutenant-colonel. On the 26th he arrived to Fort Wallace, escorting engineering party of mr. M.C.Hughes. Company had not stayed in Wallace longer than few hours when Cheyenne and Lakota Indians attacked Pond Creek mail-station near the post. They took the herd of the station and started off. Captain Barnitz saddles his G company, 30 men, and one squad of 10 men from company I, under sergeant Hamlin. Barnitz pursued the Indians. Unfortunately while chasing the Indians 1st sergeant Francis Gordon`s horse stepped into a hole and Gordon was left to the prairie without a horse. This made it hard for Barnitz to command his troops during the battle. Because it turned out to be just that a battle. Indians pulled out their favorite trick and draw soldiers in the middle of hills. Then they attacked with a superior force and with determination. Company was driven off the field in confusion. This was especially the fault of sergeant Hamlin who fled shamefully. Company retreated until Barnitz managed to rally it and formed a skirmishline. Indians attacked with great spirit but the skirmishline held. Later Barnitz remarked that if the line had broken, they would have probably all been killed. Fighting lasted about 3 hours, but eventually Indians turned and left the field.
In his report Barnitz estimated he at first chased 75 Indians, and there was maybe 200 others hiding in the hills. Barnitz himself had total of 49 men. The Indians were moral victors of the battle, but Barnitz could claim victory since he still held the field of battle. This of course meant nothing to Indians who had given the soldiers a good thrashing.
The losses in battle of Fort Wallace:
Killed:
· Sergeant F.Wyllyams. Company G.
· Corporal J.Douglas. Company G.
· Bugler C.Clarke. Company G.
· Private F.Reahme. Company G.
· Private N.Trial. Company G.
· Private J.Welsh. Company E.
Wounded:
· Corporal J.Ludlow. Company G.
· Corporal J.Rivers. Company I.
· Private J.Hummell. Company G.
· Private P.Britten. Company G.
· Private H.Riley. Company I.
· Private T.Townley. Company I.
Unlike many officer, Barnitz has a sensible view of the losses inflicted to Indians. He claimed that about the same amount of Indians had been shot as he had lost. Worth noticing among the killed is sergeant Wyllyams, who was a recent graduate from Eton in England and had arrived to USA to seek some adventures. After the battle company G had a slight leadership problem with 2 sergeants and 1 corporal dead, and 1 corporal wounded. Barnitz accused sergeant Hamlin, of company I, of cowardice and the sergeant was inidicted in a court martial and dishonorably discharged.
Situation in Wallace improved in july. Captain Keogh with company I returned from Denver. Then on 13th of july Custer with the main body of the regiment arrived from the north. The regiment camped 3 miles above the post. This at least gave security against Indian attacks in the vicinity of the post, though the regiment was in no condition to conduct any operations. Soon cholera was reported to have struck the camp. On the 17th of july 1st lieutenant M.Moylan arrived with company F to reinforce the post. With him also came 2nd lieutenant H.Nowlan, company F. Also 2nd lieutenant Bell was still in the post, but he was absent on detached service most of the july, posting troops on the mail stations. To the july 1867 belongs also the little known incident of Fort Wallace`s supplytrain. The train was escorted by captain Louis Hamilton of the 7th Cavalry with a detachement. On 26th of july he reported that all the civilian teamsters had fled the train after cholera had struck it. The train was left stranded on the plains between Fort Hays and Fort Wallace. On august 1867 Fort Wallace had both companies F and I with the strength of 3+120.
SUMMER 1867 SUMMED UP
All in all year 1867 had been a failure for the US army and for the 7th Cavalry. War had been started without army being prepared for it. It took time for 10th Cavalry to arrive to the Central Plains and new Kansas Cavalry volunteer battalion to be mustered. In the meanwhile 7th Cavalry was alone with infantry units. It had not much experience with Indian fighting, and due this no results were gained. The bulk of the regiment spend most of the summer chasing Indians without hardly even seeing any. In the end the regiment only managed to exhaust it`s horses without catching any Indians. Some officers had distunguished themselves, especially major Joel Elliot, captain Barnitz and few others. Major Cooper`s suicide had been hard for everyone. In the end of the season lieutenant-colonel Custer was suspended from service after criminal negligence. In the other hand regiment had also not met with any disasters.
The disasters had instead struck the roads that were protected with only a few companies of the regiment. To it`s lack of success regiment could add the loss of company horses by captain Thompson`s company Band the slight defeat of company G in Fort Wallace. Regiments companies had also been flooded in Fort Hays, suffered extremely high desertion rates and had lost many men in cholera epidemic and other diseases. In addition many officers were in detached service away from their companies. Year 1867 was a bad start for the regiment, but next year was hoped to be much better.
SUMMER 1868
During winter a peace treaty was negotiated between the government and hostile Cheyennes and Lakotas. Taking into account the mood of the Indian tribes the peace lasted surprisingly long. Most of the summer was peacefull untill fighting broke out in august. This summer was promising to be better than the last. 7th Cavalry was now more experienced and had the help of capable 10th Cavalry.
The movements of 7th Cavalry are not as easy to follow now. In march 1868 the regiment was stationed as follows:
Fort Leavenworth, major A.Gibbs, commanding post, 1st lieutenant M.Moylan, 1st lieutenant Nowlan, both from F&S, companies A (captain Hamilton, 1st lieutenant T.Custer, 2nd lieutenant Gibson), D (1st lieutenant Robbins, 2nd lieutenant H.W.Smith), E (2nd lieutenant A.E.Smith), F (captain Yates), G (Captain Barnitz) and K (2nd lieutenant Godfrey, 2nd lieutenant Law). Fort Harker, major J.Elliot, commanding post, companies H (captain F.Benteen, 1st lieutenant Cooke) and M (2nd lieutenant D.McIntosh). Fort Dodge, company B (captain Thompson, 2nd lieutenant Bassett). Fort Lyon, company C (captain Gillette). Fort Reynolds, company L (no officers). Trinidad, Colorado, a detachment under 2nd lieutenant Weston.
This was the formation during the winter. In july 1868 a large proportion of the regiment was concentrated at Fort Larned. In july 12th to the post arrived major J.Elliott with companies A, D, E, G and L. It is easy to see that four companies had arrived from Leavenworth, where they had spend the winter. Company L had been finally pulled out from Fort Reynolds. Captai Benteen with companies H and M arrived july 15th from Fort Harker. Company C arrived from Fort Lyon on july 21th under command of lieutenant Wallingford. All these eight companies then were stationed in the vicinity of this post (Fort Larned). This was a strong concentration, but it`s purpose was not explained.
At least company L didn`t remain long in Fort Larned. In august 1868 the company was already in Fort Lyon, attached to the post with the strength of 2+61. Captain W.Sheridan was absent on detached service since may 23rd 1868, and 1st lieutenant H.H.Bell (or Abell?) was commanding the company. Company remained on Fort Lyon untill november 1868.
Captain Thompson with his B company had remained in Fort Dodge through the winter and stayed there during the summer. When hostilities started again in august 1868, company B had the strength of 3+64. Officers were captain Thompson, 1st lieutenant Wallingford and 2nd lieutenant Bassett. During the important month of august Bassett was sick at post hospital. Another sick officer was 2nd lieutenant Donald MacIntosh from company M. He had been in detached service and was returning when got sick at Fort Harker in 4th of june 1868. McIntosh stayed sick through july and august. His company and company A were stationed at Fort Harker throught that time.
7th Cavalry spend most of the summer 1868 escorting trains and in garrison duty. When hostilities in august started the regiment was still fresh but without it`s colonel or lieutenant-colonel. It also seems that they lacked one major, since I can find mentions of only majors A.Gibbs and Joel Elliott.
GENERAL SULLY`S AUTUMN CAMPAIGN
War started again in august 1868. It started with the Indians killing famous scout Bill Comstock who had been scouting for lieutenant-general Custer in the summer 1867. Things were again going badly in august. Soldiers were not able to find Indians, who had no trouble in finding targets to attack. Colonel A.J.Smith had been trasnferred to new duties and districk of Upper Arkansas was now commanded by colonel (btv. Brigade-general) Alfred Sully. He was an experienced Indian fighter who however had no personal experience of fighting in the Central Plains. His fame was earner against Lakotas and Nakotas in Northern Plains, which were more wooded. Everything wasd different in the Central Plains.
Sully organised his campaign and went after the Indians. Experienced frontiersmen knew immediately that he had no chance. The colonel gave a feeble impression, as he was sick during the campaing and had to himself travel in wagons. He emburdened his column with a heavy baggage-train, as commanders had traditionally done in the Plains. Main unit in the campaign was 7th Cavalry. It was commanded by it`s only field officer, major Joel Elliott. Elliott had 9 companies of the regiment with him. Also one infantry company came along to protect the train. The expedition set out from Fort Dodge on 7th of september. They went west towards Cimarron Crossing. From there the regiment advanced east following Cimarron river. There were Indians all around the expedition trying to ambush small units and cut off wagons. Sully was too slow in his movements to catch any of the Indians.
On 11th of september the Indians struck the camp and captured two soldiers of company F. Troopers chased and managed to get one soldier back, though wounded. Indians fled with the other soldier. On 12th and 13th of september numerous small skirmishes were fought with the Indians. They however refused a general engagement. One soldier of company F was killed. On 14th of september the Indians suddenly vanished and soldiers were not able to find them anymore. On 16th of september the regiment returned to it`s base after achieving nothing. Soldiers and officers were disgusted and fed up. Another year was going to pass without the regiment achieving nothing.
WINTER CAMPAING OF 1868
The army was trying to learn from it`s failures. Soon the commanders came to realise that a winter campaign was needed to defeat the Indians. Indians wanted to fight in the summer but not during winter. This was mainly because their ponies could not find anything to eat during winter. If during summer soldiers were immensely less mobile than Indians, during winter they were more equal. Also it would be easier to find Indians during winter, when they stayed in permanent winter-villages and did not move around all the time. Also conclusion were drawn from failed campaigns. Army hired Indian scouts to find the hostiles, and also realised that the cavalry chasing Indians would have to be free from the burden of baggage train. The core of the winter campaign would be 7th Cavalry supported with newly raised 19th Kansas Voluntary Cavalry. The 19th Kansas however never made it to the theater, getting caught in a heavy blizzard which came close to destroying the regiment.
The 7th Cavalry was stationed on 31st of november, just before the winter campaign, as follows. In Camp Sandy Forsyth, next to Fort Larned, companies A (Captain Hamilton, 1st lieutenant T.Custer), B (captain Thompson), C, (captain L.P.Gillette), D, (captain T.Weir, 2nd lieutenant H.W.Smith), E (captain Myers, 1st lieutenant Johnson), F (captain Yates, 2nd lieutenant Gibson), H (1st lieutenant Cooke), I (1st lieutenant C.Brewster), K (2nd lieutenant Godfrey) and M (1st lieutenant Owen Hale). In Fort Dodge, company G (captain Barnitz, 2nd lieutenant March). In Fort Lyon, company L (1st lieutenant H.Bell (or Abell?), 2nd lieutenant Shellaberger). Captain Benteen, 1st lieutenant Berry and 2nd lieutenant E.Mathay were marked as returning from leave of absence.
From their positions we can see that 7th Cavalry was ready to march. On thing more was needed, a commander of ruthless nature and great courage. Lieutenant-colonel George Armstrong Custer was brought back to lead the regiment during the campaign. Overall campaign was under major-general Philip Sheridan.
Total of 11 companies from the regiment took part to the campaign. The unit marched to Fort Dodge and then advanced south in a bad weather. Fort Dodge would be the base for the operations. To the post arrived general Sheridan and on november 27th also general A.Sully, commanding district. With Sully were captain, bvt.lieutenant-colonel M.Keogh, 7th Cavalry, Acting Assistan Inspector-General of the district, and also captain L.P.Gillette.
Despite the bad weather campaing went surprisingly well. In early november four infantry companies established Camp Supply to the middle of the campaigning area. This base would supply the column, who then wouldn`t need heavy baggage-train. General Sheridan followed the column to Camp Supply and then remained there. Camp Supply was established on 18th of november and general Sheridan arrived there 23rd of november. In the meanwhile 7th Cavalry traveled south looking for signs of Indians. They found what they were looking for. It was taken to be a trail of Cheyennes returning south from a raid against the whites. In fact it probably was a trail of some Dog Soldier Cheyennes going to meet their Southern Cheyenne relatives after a raid. Custer`s Indian scouts managed to find a camp of Southern Cheyennes. During a night 7th Cavalry approached the camp and prepared to attack in the morning 27th of november.
In the morning Custer was ready to attack. He divided his regiment into four columns, which all would attack simultaniously. The personal baggage of the troopers was left into the forest next to the camp under protection of some soldiers. Also the light mule train was left behind under command of 1st lieutenant Mathay, who was suffering from snow-blindness. At first the mule-train was supposed to be lead by captain Louis Hamilton, but through Hamilton`s personal appeal Mathay was left behind instead. This would prove to be very unfortunate for Hamilton.
In the first light of the dawn 7th Cavalry attacked from four directions, the band playing Garry Owen, which was the favorite song of Custer. The camp of the Southern Cheyennes was complitely surprised and not much resistance was met. The regiment took the camp and horse herd driving Indians ahead of them. Many were killed, including many women and children. Among the killed were famous peace-chief Black Kettle and his wife. Many women and children were captured alive. It proved out to be easy to capture the camp. Then the problems started.
Indians were fleeing in every direction. Some soldiers chased them. Major Joel Elliott lead one group of 20 men. Captain Godfrey commanded another group of 20 men. They were the first officers to realise that things were not going as well as soldiers thought. Suddenly Godfrey met with a strong group of mounted warriors advancing towards the camp. He pulled out and after a skillfull retreat managed to return to the camp. Major Elliott was not as fortunate. He had captured some women and children and send them back to the camp with sergeant-major of the regiment, Walter Kennedy. With 17 men Elliott continued the chase. Suddenly he too was confronted with a strong force of mounted warriors. They appeared from many directions with superior numbers. Sergeant-major Kennedy was killed immediately. Elliott was almost cut off from the camp. He made the unfortunate decision to hold his ground and wait for reinforcements.
What was going on? Later it was found out that the Cheyennes had not camped alone. Their camp was only one along the Washita River. Next to them were camped Southern Arapahoes, Comanches, Kiowas, Kiowa-Apaches and some other nations. All these rushed now forward to help the Cheyennes. Godfrey and Elliott met the first warriors to appear, the Arapahoes. Soon warriors from other Indian nations joined the fight. They started to take positions in the bluffs surrounding the camp. Troopers left to protect the gear of the soldiers retreated to the camp and abandoned the gear to the Indians. Lieutenant Mathay also pushed through with the baggage and whole regiment found itself from the Cheyenne camp, emburdened with prisoners and a huge pony herd, and almost under a siege. Indians were shooting at them from almost every direction and situation was worsening quickly. Something had to be done.
Custer acted quickly. He ordered soldiers to slaughter the pony herd, so that the Indians couldn`t retake it. Prisoners were taken along and the regiment prepared to break out and march to Camp Supply. This was hastily done. In the confusion and haste major Elliott was abandoned. Custer later tried to claim he did not know the whereabouts of major Elliott, but this was probably not true. Some officers said shooting could be heard from the direction where Elliott was under siege. Lieutenant Owen Hale at least had seen him ride off chasing the Indians and shouting to Hale, here goes for a brevet or a coffin. Probably Custer thought that Elliott was already dead, or was simply too worried about what might happen to his regiment, which was in a bad position. Many officers thought the regiment was breaking out to go to help Elliott. Instead they made a rapid march to Camp Supply and announced a great victory. So it was proclaimed to the nation too, but was it really so?
7th Cavalry had struck an important blow, shattering the sense of security Indians had, and also destroying the winter supplies and pony herd of the Southern Cheyennes. But army always claimed victory if they had managed to held the field of battle. In this occasion they had in fact lost the field of battle, retreating in haste from what could have been a major defeat, had they stayed. In the end some 110 Cheyennes had been killed and many taken prisoners. In the assault 7th Cavalry had lost only few men. However major Elliott and his men had been abandoned. They were all killed by the Indians. According to the Indians only 1 Indian was killed in the battle against Elliott. It is safe to say that Washita was a strategical victory for the army, but tactically a slight defeat. Southern plains-Indian made a peace with the government in the spring mainly thanks to the battle of Washita. Among the few soldiers who died during the attack to the camp was captain Louis Hamilton, who had pressured Custer to let him take part in the attack. Captain Barnitz was thought to be mortally wounded in the same charge, but he recovered. Barnitz never became fit for the service again, though.
ARMY LOSSES:
Killed:
· Major Joel Elliott, F&S.
· Captain Louis Hamilton, company A. During the attack against the camp.
· Sergeant-Major Walter Kennedy, F&S. Killed separately by Arapahoes.
· Sergeant Vanousky. Killed with major Elliott.
· Corporal Mercer. Company E. Killed with major Elliott.
· Corporal Carrick. Company H. Killed with major Elliott.
· Corporal Williams. Company I. Killed with major Elliott.
· Farrier Fitzpatrick. Company M. Killed with major Elliott.
· Private Christie. Company E. Him and all the rest killed with Elliott.
· Private Clover. Company H.
· Private Milligan. Company H.
· Private Downey. Company I.
· Private Lineback. Company M.
· Private Myers. Company M.
· Private C.Myers. Company M.
· Private Sharpe. Company M.
· Private George.
· Private McClernan.
· Private Stocabus.
· Private Delaney. Company B. Wounded in camp and died after the battle.
· Private McCasey. Company H. Wounded in camp and died after the battle.
Total killed: 2+19.
Wounded:
· Captain Albert Barnitz. Company G. Dangerously wounded.
· 1st lieutenant Thomas Custer. Company A. Slightly wounded.
· 2nd lieutenant T.March. Company G. Slightly wounded.
· Corporal Eastwood. Company A.
· Saddler Martin. Company G.
· Buggler Murphy. Company M.
· Private Gale. Company A.
· Private Zimmer. Company D.
· Private Klink. Company E.
· Private Brown. Company F.
· Private Morrison. Company G.
· Private Strahle. Company I.
· Private Morgan. Company I.
Total Wounded: 3+10.
7TH CAVALRY AFTER
WASHITA
The regiment returned from Washita with what was claimed and thought to have been a great success in it`s merit list. Abandonment of major Elliott had, however, added yet another controversy to the controversial career of George Armstrong Custer. Regiment returned from the battle with three excellent officers gone. Major Elliott and captain Louis Hamilton were dead and captain Albert Barnitz was gone for good. These three had been among the best officers in the regiment. Washita had ruined the unity among the officers, if there had ever been such. Regiment was now divided into two sections, one hostile to Custer, another supporting him. The hostile officers were gathering around captain Frederick Benteen. Main supporters and friends of Custer where captain Thomas Weir, 1st lieutenant Cooke and naturally Thomas Custer.
The regiment spend the rest of the winter and spring in the plains, but saw no action. Southern plains Indians made peace in the spring and Dog Soldiers in the Central Plains were finally crushed by the summer campaing of colonel Carr and his 5th Cavalry in summer 1869. 7th Cavalry stayed in the plains from 1869 to 1871. Two new majors were added to the regiment. Major Lewis Merrill soon had a quarrel with lieutenant-colonel Custer and the thing went all the way to court martial. These two officers were ever since hostile to each other. Another new major was Marcus Reno, of some Civil War fame. He had been a brigade-general, and had been once surprised and humiliately defeated by Mosby and his rangers in Virginia.
In 1871 the regiment was transferred away from the plains to occupy southern states. The regimental headquarters went to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Regiment was at this point commanded by colonel Sturgis. For most of the regiment the stay in south was only short, since in february 1873 7th Cavalry was transferred, this time to Fort Abraham Lincoln in North Dakota.
A new railroad was build along the Missouri River across the continent. This was the North Pacific railroad. In 1873 the railroad was pushing to the area promised in 1869 peace treaty to the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. Trouble was anticipated and 7th Cavalry was ordered to protect the railroad workers. The expedition of 1873 was meant to decide which route the railroad should take. Expedition was commanded by colonel D.S.Stanley. He had 1500 soldiers, including 7th Cavalry under Custer, and 400 civilians with him. Total of 10 companies from 7th Cavalry took part to the expedition. They advanced all the way to Yellowstone River. In august 4th 1873 Custer went to scout up Yellowstone and Tongue rivers with 85 soldiers. He clashed with the Indians and drove them from the field. 7th Cavalry lost 3 soldiers dead. Four days later scouts discovered a trail of Lakota village and Custer pursued with 4 companies. In 11th of august Custer overtook the village. The village was Crazy Horses, who with the warriors fought a delaying battle letting the camp escape. Soldiers lost 4 dead and 4 wounded. Soon the expedition was recalled when economic depression hit USA. 7th Cavalry returned to Fort Lincoln.
Another expedition to the Lakota lands was send in 1874. This time the purpose was to discover the truth of rumours about gold in Black Hills. Another purpose was to map the area, since the army had a hunch they would have to fight a war in the eventually. Custer was commanding the expedition. He had 10 companies from 7th Cavalry, 2 infantry companies and 100 Indian scouts. Some famous frontier fighters also joined the expedition, including famous scout Charles Reynolds, captain Luther North and lieutenant-colonel George Forsyth, who had been dangerously wounded in battle of Beecher Island in 1868. Colonel F.G.Grant, president`s son also went along, as well as 4 newspapermen, miners, geologists etc. This expedition of the 7th Cavalry discovered gold from the Black Hills and caused the great gold rush to the holy hills of the Lakotas. In august Custer and his expedition returned to Fort Lincoln. The gold discovery had a far reaching consequences. The government, facing economin depression, decided to get the gold from the Black Hills. At first Indians were asked to sell the hills, but they refused. Then the government simply annexed the hills and proclaimed that all the Indians found outside their reservation would be considered hostile. Since it was obvious that Lakotas and Cheyennes would not give away their lands in the Black Hills and Powder River valley without a figth, a campaing was prepared for the summer 1876 to crush them.
INDIAN CAMPAING OF 1876
The plan of the army was to advance in three columns and caught the Indians between these columns. The strongest column would advance from Platte River under brigade-general Crook. From Montana would advance the weakest column under colonel Gibbon. His only cavalry unit was a battalion of 4 companies from 2nd Cavalry under major James Brisbin. From Dakota`s would march a column under brigade-general Terry. This column was formed around 7th Cavalry with full 12 companies present for duty. The commander of the regiment was on detached service, and regiment was commanded by lieutenant-colonel Custer. Two of the majors, Alfred Gibbs and Lewis Merrill, were also on detached service and only youngest major, Marcus Reno, was present for duty. Several capable officers were also absent, including 1st lieutenant Owen Hale and captain Thompson. The regiment in 1876 had the nominal strength of 46+790. Of these 13+172 were on detached service. Many officers were gone. The regiment set out to the campaign with the strength of 33+718.
During the early summer Terry`s column set out. It marched along the Yellowstone River, where it could be supplied via the river. Gibbon`s column had been pushed up the river already during the winter, but it had not been able to hit any blows and though a lot of crucial intelligence information was acquired Gibbon ignored it. Terry soon joined forced with Gibbon and took command. He send scouting parties to search for hostile Lakotas and Cheyennes. Indians allies from Arikara and Crow nations proved extremely valuable to the army. One of the scouts, under major Reno, found a trail of huge Indian camp. It later turned out that the hostile Indians had joined together to get more protection against the soldiers. They were daily reinforced by new Indians coming from the reservation. The leading chiefs in the camp were Sitting Bull of the Hunkpapa Lakotas and Crazu Horse of Oglalas. Cheynnes were lead by Two Moons. Eminent warchief in the camp was Gall.
Reno had found out where the Indians were. Now a new plan was quickly made. Custer would take his regiment to circle around the Indians and then hit them, pushing them towards Yellowstone. His main job was to prevent the Indians from escaping. Terry and Gibbon with the rest of the troops would advance slower and hit the hostiles contained by Custer. However it was realised that infantry had only small chances to actually caught the Indians. So Custer had the permission to act on his judgement and attack alone if it was necessary. It seems that despite the plan Terry thought Custer would do the actualy fighting. Gatling-guns were offered to him, which he refused. Also the 4 companies of 2nd Cavalry under Brisbin were offered to him. Especially experienced Indian fighter Brisbin thought more than just 7th Cavalry would be needed. Custer refused this offer too. He decided to travel light, with only mule traint to accompany him. This was the trick learned in the Central Plains. 7th Cavalry had done it`s schoolwork and was not ready for the real action! With cheerfull mood Custer lead his 12 companies away from the main camp to hunt the Indians. With him went 31 officers and 566 men. With Terry stayed part of the regiment, quartermaster, 1st lieutenant Nowlan, and veterinary surgeon Stein and 152 soldiers. Especially Nowlan and Stein were probably later extremely happy about this, since their place during the battle would have been with regimental headquarters, and they were all killed. Custer took most of the scouts and guides with him. He was joined by 7th Cavalry`s three quartermaster scouts, experienced and capable Charles Reynolds, excellent Bloody Knife of the Arikaras, and Boston Custer, who was no real scout, but was marked as such to excuse him joining the expedition. Boston Custer was the young brother of colonel Custer. To these three were added half-bred Mitch Boyer, said to be the best scout in the frontier, excellent George Herendeen and interpreters, african-american Isaiah Dorman, who knew personally Sitting Bull, Fred Gerard and half-sioux Bill Jackson. This was an impressive lot, forgetting Boston Custer. Guide Thomas LeForge had broken a collarbone just before, and was unable to join them, which was a happy coincidence for him.
BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN, JUNE 25th 1876
The stage was ready for the battle that would make George Armstrong Custer and 7th Cavalry famous. They didn`t know that the Indians had already defeated general Crook in the south, and southern column was retreating back south. Custer followed the trail of the big camp. He knew how to attack an Indian camp. Approach the camp during the night and attack at dawn. This is how he had done it in Washita. The chase was a hard one and horses were getting weary. Custer knew this. He had to give his horses a chance to rest. On the morning of 25th of june scouts sighted the huge Indian camp. Custer apparently intented to rest his men during the 25th, approach the camp in the night and attack in the morning of 26th. This was however not to be. One company of the regiment had lost a baggage. When troopers went back to look for it, they discovered Indian warriors looting the baggage. When Custer heard of this, he immediately thought the regiment was discovered. If he wouldn`t attack immediately the Indians would get away. So instead of letting the horses rest Custer ordered the regiment to march. They would attack immediately.
While approaching the hostile camp Custer divided his force. In this too he apparently followed the experience from Washita. One battalion of companies D, H and K was commanded by captain F.Benteen. Captain Thomas Weir and 1st lieutenant Godfrey were with Benteen`s battalion. This was the weakest of the three main units with a strength of 5+110. It is somewhat questionably what the purpose of Benteen`s trip was, but he was ordered by Custer to search the bluffs on the left side of the regiment for any Indians. Perhaps he was intented to prevent the Indians from escaping to that direction or Custer wanted to secure his rear. What is clear, however, is that Benteen was not intented to spend so much time in his mission. He was slow in returning to the rest of the regiment, apparently thinking that there were no Indians in the area.
Mule train was again commanded by lieutenant Mathay. It would be protected by captain McDougal with company B. From each company 7 men were ordered to the mule train. This gave McDougal and Mathay an overall strength of 2+127 and 7 civilians. Custer himself took the strongest of the units. It included regimental headquarters and companies C, E, F, I and L, with total of 13 officers and 200 men, and 8 others. These included at least Mitch Boyer, Autie Reed, a relative of Custer`s, and newspaperman mark Kellogg.
From the start Custer intented the battalion lead by major Marcus Reno to start the attack. Reno had companies A, G and M. His total strength was 11 officers, 129 men and 35 others. Most of the scouts and guides went with Reno to give him additional strength.
After dividing his troops Custer advanced towards the camp. Benteen turned left and vanished behind the bluffs. Baggage-train remained behind, being much slower. It was thought to have enough strength to fight with any enemy that might attack it. Reno`s and Custers columns advanced at first side by side in the opposite sides of a small brook. Then Custer gave his order to Reno. What it actually included has been debated. But it was something like charge onwards. You will supported by the whole command. This was thought by Reno to mean that Reno would attack and Custer`s command would follow him in a supporting distance. Perhaps this was the plan at first, but after Reno started forward Custer turned his command to the right, intending to attack the camp from it`s flank while Reno contains the enemy to a fight in the front. While planning this Custer underestimated both the strength and the morality of the Lakotas and Cheyennes.
Reno went forward believing he would be supported. Before he could reach the village he was confronted by hundreds of warriors charging from the village to meet him. Reno made the only possible decision and ordered his men to dismount in a field between a forest and the village. Heavu firefight followed with only slight casualties to each side. Most of Reno`s Indian scouts fled from the field to the fury of 1st lieutenant Charles Varnum and 2nd lieutentant Hare, who had been detailed to lead the scouts. While containing the enemy Reno tried to attack the village. He took G company from the skirmishline and moved them to the right, to the forest. In the cover of the forest they advanced towards the forest and shoot two volleys at the tents, allegedly killing few women in the camp. Pressure against the skirmishline however started to be too strong and G company had to form a reserve. At this point Custer was seen in the distance checking the battlefield from a bluff across Little Big Horn River. He apparently thought Reno was holding his own well, and continued his movement to the right, to the flank of the Indian camp which was proving out to be huge.
Everything however was not well with Reno. Indians were turning his left flank, which was in the air. He was in the danger of being surrounded. Reno was still acting coolly and ordered A and M companies to fall back to the timber. There a new skirmishline was formed, with G company furthers on the right. Reno tried to held his ground and wait for the support promised, but it didn`t come. Confusion among the troops was rising and Indians were now surrounding the forest, some of the having slipped to the rear. A portion of G company was apparently send to chase some Indians away from the rear. Then things started to go really wrong. Guide Bloody Knife was shot right next to Reno and was instantly killed. Blood and gore rained on Reno. According to some he kept his cool head, according to others he now panicked. What we know is, that he decided the position was dangerous and they had to break out to find a better position. Three orders were given in a quick sequence, to mount, to dismount and then to mount again. Order, counter-order, chaos, as the old military wisdom says.
Everybody didn`t hear the order. Especially G company in the right was slow to realise that other companies had mounted and were preparing to charge. 2nd lieutenant Wallace in the extreme right flank of the line heard of the order when his orderly came with two horses to get him and shouted they are preparing to charge, sir. This woke up the Wallace and 1st lieutenant McIntosh, commanding G company. They tried to gather their company. In the meantime A and M companies had gathered most of their men, some horses with as many as 3 or 4 riders. They were trying to load their pistols, mounted, when a volley from the Indians hit the column felling several men. Finally Reno panicked. Not waiting for the pistols to be loaded he ordered the column to charge. According to some reports he shouted those who want to escpape, follow me. Two companies charged the Indians and pushed through. Those who had no horses tried to follow. Interpreter Isaiah Dorman`s horse was shot and he was last seen coolly firing his repeating rifle at the charging Indians. One of Dorman`s leg was caught under the horse and he could not flee. Assitant-surgeon Porter almost got killed while helping one wounded too long. In the last moment he managed to mount and fled from the Indians, catching the columng charging forward. Others were not as fortunate.
McIntosh and Wallace had managed to gather most of their company and now followed the battalion. What happened to McIntosh is not known for sure. Apparently he turned back to get the rest of his men, or never left the forest with Wallace. Anyway, he tried his best to collect his men. One version of his death is, that while mounting his horse a group of Indians charged. McIntosh`s leg was caught in the strirrup and he lost his balance. The horse started to run dragging McIntosh after it. He was then either killed by Indians or by hitting his head to rocks. According to other version Indians simply charged him while he was riding to overtake his company, or what was left of it, and killed. Charles Reynolds had also been in the right flanks of the line. He too tried to overtake the column already far off. Reynolds was caught by the Indians and killed. Scout Herendeen with several soldiers of the G company decided not to try to run the gauntlet and instead hid themselves in the forest. This was also the decision made by 2nd lieutenant C.C.DeRudio, interpreters Gerard and Jackson, and 1 soldier. Total of some 20 men remained in the forest. During the next night these men managed to make it to safety.
Reno`s charge was not going as it was expected. Big group of Indians blocked the ford across Little Big Horn river. Reno turned right, Indians following on his flanks and rear and killing men. Those soldiers who were wounded were left to their fate. The battalion was now in total panic. Reno decided to cross the river in a shallow place and make it to a nearby bluff in the opposite bank. At this point lieutenant Varnum, who was not in panic, tried to make the column turn around the get their wounded. He was however prevented by Reno, who said sir, I am in charge here. Anyway, the troopers couldn`t have been turned around at that point. They were out of control. The column jumped to the river and crossed it. First men were in such a panic that no covering fire was organised for the rear troops. Everyone just fled up the hillside after crossing. Indians stood in the riverbank shooting freely at the soldiers. Several were killed, including battalion adjutant, 2nd lieutenant B.Hodgson. Also assitant-surgeon J.M.DeWolf with his orderly was killed after fleeing uphill by themselves. A small group of Indians attacked and killed them. Rest of the column made it to the bluff safely. Reno lost in the forest, in his charge and in the river-crossing 33 men killed and 7 wounded. When we remember that 20 were still in the forest, he had lost almost half of his command. The rest were demoralised. Assistant-surgeon Porter said to Reno, The men were pretty demoralised there, weren`t they? To this major Reno answered, Sir, that was a charge!
In the meantime Custer had realised he had a big battle in his hands. He needed all his troops and fast. Benteen was missing, following the command by easy marches. Custer send a word for him to come at once and bring ammunition. After receiving the message Benteen picked up his speed. He came in just in time to save Reno`s command. Benteen joined them in the hill and practically took command. The whole unit was however in confusion, of which tells that without any orders captain Weir started with his company to search for Custer, and whole command followed. They were soon confronted with Indians and retreated back to the hill and fortified. Rest of the day Indians fired at the troops and kept them busy. In the morning of 26th of june fighting around the hill continued but without the same spririt. Later the day the Indians retreated after hearing that Terry`s column was approaching.
What happened to Custer and his 5 companies then? He was surprised by the size of the village and therefore send a word for Benteen to hurry up. After sergeant Kanipe and then orderly Martin had gone to deliver the message Custer`s movements become a matter of debate. Apparently he at some point had attacked the village at least with some of his companies, but was driven back. The Indians had enough strenght to defeat Reno while simultaniously prevent Custer from entering the village. After Reno was defeated the group that had fought him turned and came to attack Custer. He was probably already fighting against the Indians charging from the village The new host caught him from the flank. In this flank was 1st lieutenant James Calhoun`s company L. Apparently they made a good fight over it, since the troopers were found killed in a skirmishline with big piles of empty cartridges around them.
Captain Keogh`s I company was the next in line. It appears they were quickly overrun, but giving time for the others. Captains Yates and Thomas Custer formed a skirmishline around the regimental headquarters. They held their own for a while, untill again flanked. Then it was a quick fight with soldiers in a circle fighting for their lives. It seems that during the fight several soldiers panicked and killed themselves. Indians however spoke of the final circle of resistance with respect, saying that to the last many soldiers tried to shoot carefull shots keeping their nerves cool. In the final moment some soldiers broke from the circle and ran towards Little Big Horn river. They were all killed. 1st lieutenant Algarnon E.Smith`s E company, which had many new recruits, had apparently been the unit to attack the camp. They were in a ravine on the right flank of the formation. They were the last to die, apparently without less fierce resitance than the others. Mysteriously lieutenant Smith had died with regimental headquarters, and not with his company. Another mystery was surrounding 2nd lieutenant Harrington, who apparently panicked and tried to flee the battlefield. His body was not found from the battlefield, but some Indians later told they had chased an officer, and just when they had given up the chase the officer had killed himself. This apparently was Harrington. In the end all soldiers who had rode with Custer were dead. After the battle Indians admitted losses of 32 warriors killed, 11 of them Cheyennes and rest Lakotas. Of course as wounded they would have lost many more.
LOSSES IN LITTLE BIG HORN:
KILLED:
Custer`s Command:
· Lieutenant-colonel G.A.Custer. F&S.
· 1st lieutenant W.W.Cooke. F&S, regimental adjutant.
· Assistant-Surgeon Lords. F&S.
· Sergeant-major W.W.Sharron. F&S.
· Sergeant H.Ross. Head trumpetist. F&S.
· Sergeant Hughes. Flag Bearer. Company K.
· Corporal Callahan. Acting Hospital Steward. F&S.
· Boston Custer. Quartermaster Scout. F&S.
· Mitch Boyeur. Indian Scout.
· Mark Kellogg. Newspaperman.
· Autie Reed. Civilian.
COMPANY C:
· Captain Thomas W.Custer.
· 2nd Lieutenant Henry M.Harrington.
· 1st Sergeant E.Basa.
· Sergeant Finkel.
· Sergeant Finley.
· Corporal Foley.
· Corporal French.
· Corporal Ryan.
· 29 privates.
COMPANY E:
· 1st lieutenant Algarnon E. Smith.
· 2nd Lieutenant Jack Sturgis.
· 1st sergeant F.Hohmeyer.
· Sergeant Edgen.
· Sergeant James.
· Corporal Bloom.
· Corporal Hogan.
· Corporal Mason.
· Corporal Mayer.
· Trumpetist McElvey.
· Trumpetist Mooney.
· 29 private.
COMPANY F:
· Captain G.W.Yates.
· 2nd lieutenant W.Reilly.
· 1st sergeant Kennedy.
· Sergeant Murphy.
· Sergeant Vickeryad.
· Sergeant Wilkinson.
· Corporal Brandon.
· Corporal Briody.
· Corporal Coleman. Orderly, regimental headquarters.
· Blacksmith Manning.
· 27 privates.
COMPANY I:
· Captain M.W.Keogh.
· 1st lieutenant J.E.Porter.
· 1st sergeant F.E.Varsen.
· Sergeant J.Bustard.
· Corporal Morris.
· Corporal Stapled.
· Trumpetist Wild.
· Trumpetist McGucker.
· Trumpetist Patton.
· Blacksmith Bailey.
· 27 privates.
COMPANY L:
· 1st lieutenant James Calhoun.
· 2nd Lieutenant J.J.Crittenden. 20th Infantry Regiment.
· 1st Sergeant Butler.
· Sergeant Warren.
· Corporal Gilbert.
· Corporal Harrison.
· Corporal Seeller.
· Trumpetist Walsh.
· 36 privates.
WOUNDED:
· Company C, 4 men, with the mule train.
· Company E. Sergeant J.T.Reilly, with the mule train.
· Company I. 1 man, with the mule train.
· Company L. 1 man, with the mule train.
Reno`s Command:
KILLED:
· Assistant-Surgeon J.M.De Wolf. F&S.
· Charles Reynolds. Quartermaster scout. F&S.
· Bloody Knife. Quartersmaster scout. F&S.
· Isaiah Dorman. Interpreter. F&S.
· 3 Indian scouts.
COMPANY A:
· 2nd lieutenant B.Hodgson. Battalion Adjutant.
· Corporal H.Dalton.
· Corporal H.King.
· 8 privates.
COMPANY G:
· 1st lieutenant Donald McIntosh.
· Sergeant E.Botzer.
· Sergeant M.Considine.
· Corporal Hageman.
· Corporal Martin.
· Trumpetist Dose.
· Saddler Selley.
· Farrier Wells.
· 6 privates.
COMPANY M:
· Sergeant O`Hara.
· Corporal Scollin.
· Corporal Stringer.
· 9 privates.
WOUNDED:
· 1st lieutenant C.Varnum. Commander of scouts. Slightly.
· Company A. 1st Sergeant W.Heyn and 5 privates.
· Company G. 4 privates.
· Company M. Sergeant F.Cody, sergeant C.White and 8 privates.
BENTEEN`S BATTALION AND BAGGAGE:
· Captain Frederick Benteen. Slightly.
· Company D. Killed, Farrier W.Charlie and 2 privates.
· Company H. Killed corporal G.Tell and 2 privates. Wounded sergeant J.McCorry and 17 privates.
· Company K. Killed, 1st Sergeant W.Winney, trumpetist J.Helmer and 1 private. Wounded, 3 privates.
· Company B. Wounded, corporal W.F.Smith and 1 private.
· Killed F.C.Mann, civilian packer.
TOTAL, 7Th CAVALRY: 268 killed and 52 wounded. (My list has only 262. Don`t know where is the mistake)
For the regiment Little Big Horn was a catastrophy. Give or take few, 320 men had become casualties, most of them killed. 15 officers had been killed (plus Crittenden who was not from 7th Cavalry). Among them were regimental lieutenant-colonel, regimental adjutant, two assistant-surgeons, and three captains. Especially the loss of two doctors was a grave, as well as the hit taken by regimental headquarters, with also sergeant-major, head trumpetist and hospital stewards killed. Also loss of two experienced quartermaster scouts and one interpreter was a bad.
What then went wrong in Little Big Horn? Several things went wrong, all at once. Regiment had many raw recruits, though not as many as has been claimed. Many of the experienced officers were gone, which created a leadership problem. Custer had refused to take the battalion of 2nd Cavalry with him. This battalion could probably have saved Custer`s command though not have won the battle. Major Brisbin would also have brought coolness to the decisionmaking. Custer underestimated the enemys capabilities, thinking they would not fight but would try to flee. He also underestimated their numbers. He divided his unit into three portions which could be defeated in detail. This was a bad error. Benteen was supposed, I think, to be present when the battle started, but whose fault was it that he was not? It is said he was too slow and caused Custer to die unaided. But the main blame must be with the bad tactical planning of Custer. Another huge weakness was Custers unwillingness to tell his plans to other officers. At least battalion commanders should have known the whole plan, so Benteen would have known to hurry back after his detour to the left. In the end the failure for Benteen to appear was Custer`s fault, since he had not given clear and detailed enough orders and kept his officers in the dark. The main battle between Custer and hostiles was decided by a sudden flanking movement. Custer was outmanouvered, outgeneraled (if there is a word like that) and outnumbered. That could only mean destruction!
7TH REGIMENT AFTER LITTLE BIG HORN
After the battle the regiment, or what was left of it, remained in the
field, chasing Lakotas and Cheyennes with general Terry. In spring 1877 the war
against Lakotas was over. Another conflict had however already started. Small
Nez Perze nation in Idaho was ordered to be removed to a reservation in summer
1877. The nation rebelled and then started an epic journey to make it to safety
in Canada. In the meantime, 7th Cavalry had been reinforced and with
was in full strength again. The regiment was send to join the chase of Nez
Perzes. Part of the regiment under colonel Sturgis partially surprised the
Indians in Canyon Creek. The Nez Perzes however managed to get away inflicting
some casualties to the regiment.
After Canyon Creek the army lost the tracks of the Indians. General Nelson Miles was anticipating their move towards Canada and was with infantry regiment and battalion of 7th Cavalry near the border. Nez Perzes thought they had left the soldiers far behind and camped in Bear Paw near the border to hunt buffaloes, instead of crossing the border. Here general Miles surprised them and attacked the camp. 7th Cavalry charged the camp under captain Owen Hale. They were met with a murderous accurate firing of the Indians. The charge broke and 7th Cavalry was forced out from the camp. Owen Hale with 23 of his soldiers was killed and 42 men wounded. Among the wounded was 1st lieutenant Godfrey, who was thought to be mortally wounded but survived. Also 1 other officer was killed and 2 wounded. After the charge was repulsed general Miles set up a siege and eventually forced the Indians to surrender. 7th Cavalry had suffered high casualties in the battle of Bear Paw.
The 7th Cavalry was also present in
the final Indian battle in USA. This was the infamous massacre in Wounded Knee
in 28th december 1890. After suffering much wrong Lakotas started a
revolt inspired by Ghost Dance movement. 7th Cavalry under colonel
James W.Forsythe caught the rebellious Minneconjou Lakota camp of chief Big
Foot and forced it to surrender. When Indians were handing over their arms an
incident took place and soldiers opened fire. It was a massacre with Big Foot
and almost 300 Indians killed. 7th Cavalry took heavy losses again,
with 25 killed and 39 wounded, many of them in own firing when gatling-gun
fired through the camp and hit own troops in the other side. Some of the
officers who fought in Little Big Horn were present in this battle, and
Indians thought they had finally taken their revenge. Such officers were at
least Myles Moylan, Varnum, Wallace, Godfrey and Edgerly.
MOYLAN, MYLES:
Moylan was born in England and had been serving in British army as 2nd lieutenant during the Crimean War. He later came to USA to fight in the Civil War. After the war he was commissioned as 1st lieutenant in 7th Cavalry. He was a captain during Little Big Horn and fought with Reno`s company. Moylan was said to be one of the officers most shaken during the charge. Benteen claimed he saw Moylan crying in Reno`s Hill.
DE RUDIO, CARLO C.:
De Rudio was born in France, the son of count Aquila Di Rudio. He took part to the terrorist attack against emperor Napoleon III in 1858 with Orsini. Orsini was executed and De Rudio send to Devils Island. He escaped from there in autumn 1858 and moved to England. In 1864 De Rudio moved to USA and joined a colored regiment as a lieutenant. In 1867 he was mustered to 7th Cavalry as a 2nd lieutenant. In Little Big Horn De Rudio fought with company A in Reno`s company, though he officially was in company E, which was destroyed with Custer. De Rudio was the only man who had his sword with him in the battle. When Reno`s battalion charged De Rudio was left behind to the forest. He managed to hide during the day and in the next night joined the regiment in Reno`s Hill.
WEST, ROBERT M.:
West was the ranking captain in the regiment when it was mustered. He was nominated as a brevet brigade-general in april 1st 1865. West served with the regiment untill he resigned in march 1869, apparently because of health problems. He died soon afterwards, in september 1869. West was the officer of whom Custer scornfully said in april 1867, when regiment was send to chase the Indians, Captain Robert West, with huge experience of Indian affairs, is firmly of the opinion that Indians have gone either north or south.
WESTON, JOHN F.:
Weston was mustered to the regiment in 1866 as a 2nd lieutenant. He served in the plains through 1867 and 1868. Later Weston requested transfer to the Commissary Department, which thanks to Custer`s recommendation was approved. Weston raised all the way to Commissary-General of the army.