Army at Wounded Knee

Whatever the circumstances of that fight with Big Foot may be it must have had the effect of increasing the hostile element very largely.
–Maj. Gen. N. A. Miles

This day 125 years ago… General Miles finally departed Rapid City en route to Chadron, Nebraska.  While out of communication, Major Henry returned to the agency only to turn around and ride to the rescue of his supply train, which was under attack about two miles north.  Soon after returning to the Agency with his trains Henry and his men and horses sought a much needed rest after traveling over 80 miles in the past 24 hours while Colonel Forsyth conducted a reconnaissance to the Drexel Catholic Mission near White Clay Creek to determine if it was set ablaze as smoke from that direction could be seen at the Pine Ridge Agency.  Forsyth left Henry with standing orders to proceed to the Mission if there was any fighting.  (click to open Hunting for Big Foot homepage)

The time displayed, e.g. (9:30 a.m.), at the beginning of each message reflects when that information was sent from or received at General Brooke’s headquarters, unless otherwise indicated.  Most of the messages were transmitted via telegraph. Those messages that were delivered by other means such as couriers or heliograph are so annotated in parenthesis at the end of each respective message.  Hover the mouse over the names displayed in Red to display the full identity of the individual mentioned.  Bold Red will also indicate location of the individual.  Blue underlined texts are hyperlinks to other pages or cites.  Click on photos of individuals to see an enlarged version of the source photograph in a new tab. Similarly, clicking on maps will open a new tab with an enlarged view of each map that can be zoomed in for greater detail.

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1890.

Poland to Asst Adj Gen Dept Platte (after midnight): Telegram about Indians on Medicine creek received and sent to the commander.  Captain Whitney, 8th Infantry, left here at ten o’clock to-night. {671}

Sanford to Truitt (8:15 a.m.): Am on White river near mouth of White Clay.  Have scouted along west side White river between Black Tail and mouth of Little Beaver.  No signs of Indians on the Little Beaver.  Lieut. Casey with Cheyenne scouts here reports his wagon going into agency this morning fired on and driven back about ten miles east of here.  Have you any instructions? Casey reports that he sent courier into the agency yesterday morning with dispatch for General Miles.  Nothing heard from him.  He also says he met Short Bull and Kicking Bear the night of twenty-eighth with one hundred and fifteen lodges on White river at crossing of Flour road.  He moved out following morning and said he was going to camp at White Clay and go into agency next day.  Has scouted from mouth of Battle creek through the hostile camp down the Cottonwood, up White river to crossing of Flour Road and connected with Taylor’s scouts coming up White river.  No signs of hostiles.  The rations of that battalion expire to-morrow night.  The fifteen days’ supplies for which I had asked had not reached Oelrichs when I left.  Shall I send for them from here or go on to the agency? (telegram via Oelrichs, S.D.) {710} Continue reading →