Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-07-25

Sioux and Cheyennes, D encountering
600. September, 1868, companies A,
B, G, D, E, F, G, /, and X enjoyed
series of fights beginning with a skir-
mlsh of company L on Robe Creek,
Kansas, and continuing over four
days. On the Bing Bend of the Ar.
kansas River, Oct. II, III. * and M
had skirmish with Indians. Nov.
p the campaign eliminated in the
battle of Washita River, the whole
regiment taking part. One hundred
and three Indian warriors were killed
and fifty-three captured. The regi-
ment lost two officers and nineteen
men killed, and three officers and
twelve men wounded. The next en-
gagement was on the Yellowstone
near the mouth of Tongue River, Aug.
4, 1873. Companies A and B were
in that scrimmage. Seven days later
eight companies were engaged with.
Indians on the Yellowstone. One
private killed and two wounded. The
massacre onthe Little Big Horn, June
%, 1876, next follows in chronology
cal order. Thirteen officers and 237
men were killed and forty-seven
wounded. The battle of Canon Creek
in September was participated ia by
companies Il, /, G., +, T. and M. Three
men and one officer were killed, and
thirteen men wounded. The Indians
lost sixteen warriors killed. The
Bear Paw mountain fight, where Jos.
eph was captured, resulted in the
death of two officers and sixteen men;
two officers and thirty men wounded
I THE COLONIES. f
The first Colonel Of the Seventh
Cavalary was A. j. Smith, his com.
mission dating July %, 1866; he re.
signed May s, 1869, and was appoint
ed by President Grant Postmaster of
st. Louis. lie still, lives there. Col.
Smith was promoted from Lieut.. Col.
onel of the fifth Infantry. IAs.3
The second Colonel, and the one
still in command, was Samuel Stur.
gis, promoted from the Lieutenant.
Colonelcy of the Sixth Cavalry May
6, 1869. Gen. Sturgis graduated
from West Point in 1916 and was at
once promoted to second Lieutenant
OF the second Dragons. He served
through the war with Mexico. Then
on frontier in California for three
years. Then followed long Indian
experience of eight years, being en-
gagged in many skirmishes and COM
bats. Then the Rebellion, serving
throughout the war in a most credit
able manner. He was in lop- list
OF engagements and battles, rising to
the rank of Brigadier. Gener al and re-
ceiving the breyet of Major. General
for his gallant services. Since the
war he has been on duty in the West,
seeing considerable service, and play
ing no inconsiderable part in the CAP
ture of Chief Joseph last Fall. His
regiment did far more than the official
reports gave it credit.
Lieut.. Col. Elmer Otis,present com.
mandant at Fort Rice. and successor
OF George A. Custer as Lieut.. Colon.
ell OF the Seventh Cavalry, graduated
from West Point in the class of '53
with Lieut. Gen. Sheridan. His pro.
motion to the Seventh was from MAY
or of the First Cavalry, on the 25th
of June, 1876. He served during the
war of the Rebellion. Since the war
ne has been an Inspector of Cavalry,
stationed most of the time in Oregon.
He is the largest man physically in
the regiment.
George A. Custer was the first
Lieutenant. Colonel, receiving his pro-
motion from Captain in the fifth Cav
airy. He commanded the regiment
most of the time when in the field.
from its organization in go to his
death in June '76. His record during
the Rebellion as cavalry leader, and
his asslife on the plains" are familiar to
the country. The, part he played is
historic. YI7a 3a5
THE MAJORS.
Alfred Gibbs. was promoted from
Captain in the Third Cavalry to Ma
jor of the Seventh, commission dating
July %, '66. He died at Lcavenworth
Kan. Dec. %, 1868, from the effects
of an old wound.
Wickliff Cooper was the other Ma.
jor. There were only two in the be.
ginning. Cooper committed suicide
June '67. b
e Joel II. Elliott was appointed the
third Major in March, '6s. He was
from Indiana, and had been Colonel
of Volunteers during the Rebellion.
This generation is familiar with the
rapid growth Of towns and cities in
what we love to call the Great West.
but this settlement of the Yellowstone
in so short time is marvel. TWAS
only yesterday, as it were, that we
printed the details of the battle and
massacre that plunged whole coun-
try in mourning, and to-day our corr
respondent tells US of the opening Of
banks, the erection of theatres. of
courts, and Judges, and police. The
Yellowstone Valley is forever lost to
the Indian. The blood of Custer and
his heroes was terrible price TO pay
for it; but, after all. they died in q
noble cause. uon