Posted by Rich on May 31, 1999 at 10:15:11:
In Reply to: On The Trail Of ... Little Bighorn ... This Date In History posted by Rich on May 17, 1999 at 12:05:27:
The bands of Lakota - under Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Red Horse, Jumping Bear, Gall, Low Dog, Crow King - and their northern Cheyenne allies led by Two Moon, Lame White Man, and others, were camped on the Rosebud far to the west of the approaching 7th Cavalry. Light skirmishes with Colonel John Gibbon's Montana column comprised the bulk of any warfare. These non-reservation Indians were awaiting their reservation brethren, the "summer roamers," for the annual Sun Dance ceremony. More than usual would join them this year ...
Meanwhile, on this date, Custer's 7th Cavalry, with General Alfred Terry & elements of the 2nd Cavalry, passed through some of the roughest territory of the expedition, crossing the Little Missouri River, wondering, "Where are these Indians we're supposed to round up?" That night, a cold rain turned into a snowstorm, forcing the column to camp for 3 days. Montana Territory lay just ahead ...
Disaster drew nearer ...