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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 8th JANUARY 2024
THUNDER ON THE PLAINS
THE BLACK HILL WARS 1876-1877
THE BATTLE OF ROSEBUD, 17[SUP]th[/SUP] JUNE 1876
As settlers spread westward across North America after 1780, armed conflicts increased in size, duration, and intensity between settlers and various Indian and First Nation tribes.
In 1875, the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 erupted when the Dakota gold rush penetrated the Black Hills. The U.S government decided to stop evicting trespassers from the Black Hills and offered to buy the land from the Sioux. When they refused, the US government decided instead to take the land and gave the Lakota until January 31[SUP]st[/SUP], 1876 to return to reservations.
An United States cavalry regiment in 1876 consisted of 12 companies.
A cavalry company, at full strength had 3 officers and 70 enlisted men.
The US cavalry of 1876 used Lt. Col. Emory Upton’s Cavalry Tactics, which was an unified system of drill, which was compatible among the cavalry, infantry and artillery. This meant an officer could move from one branch of service to another.
Upton’s tactics incorporated a “set of fours” as the basic, or smallest, cavalry unit or squad. This was designed to simplify operations, increase speed, and eliminate cumbersome manoeuvres.
Dismounted skirmishing became the main cavalry mode of engagement with the enemy, which facilitated the dispersal of men on a firing line.
On campaign and in battle, cavalrymen did not always perform as mounted skirmishers but rather served as mounted infantry. By dismounting and kneeling under fire, the trooper presented a much smaller target for the enemy and could take aim much more accurately.
The preparatory command “to fight on foot”, followed by “As skirmishers”, required each cavalryman to dismount and deploy along a firing line at 5yd intervals, with 15yd gaps between each set of four men.
Odd numbered skirmishers in each set of four fired a round on command and then reloaded as even numbered skirmishers fired on order. Each man then continued to fire roughly in an odd-even sequence without regard to the others until “Cease fire” command was given. Skirmish tactics could be employed by the platoon, company, battalion or even at regimental level.
Dismounted skirmishing required one of every four men, designated as a horse holder, to remain with the horses of the other three. Horse holders retired to a safe position in the rear.
On 28[SUP]th[/SUP] May 1876, Brigadier General George Crook assumed direct command of the Bighorn and Yellowstone Expedition at Fort Fetterman. Crook had gathered a strong force. Leaving Fort Fetterman on 29[SUP]th[/SUP] May the 1,051man column consisted of 15 companies from the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Cavalry, 5 companies from the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] and 9[SUP]th[/SUP] Infantry, 250 mules and 106 wagons.
On the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] June, the column was joined by 261 Shoshone and Crow allies.
Based on intelligence reports Crook ordered his entire force to prepare for a quick march. Each man was to carry only 1 blanket, 100 rounds of ammunition, and 4 days rations. The wagon train would be left at Goose Creek, and the infantry would be mounted on the pack mules.
On 17 June, Crook's column set out at 0600, marching northward along the south fork of Rosebud Creek. The Crow and Shoshone scouts were particularly apprehensive. Although the column had not yet encountered any sign of Indians, the scouts seemed to sense their presence. The soldiers, particularly the mule-riding infantry, seemed fatigued from the early start and the previous day's 35-mile (56 km) march. Accordingly, Crook stopped to rest his men and animals at 0800. Although he was deep in hostile territory, Crook made no special dispositions for defense. His troops halted in their marching order. The Cavalry battalions led the column, followed by the battalion of mule-borne foot soldiers, and a provisional company of civilian miners and packers brought up the rear.
The Crow and Shoshone scouts remained alert while the soldiers rested. Several minutes later, the soldiers heard the sound of intermittent gunfire coming from the bluffs to the north. As the intensity of fire increased, a scout rushed into the camp shouting, "Lakota, Lakota!" The Battle of the Rosebud had started. By 0830, the Sioux and Cheyenne had hotly engaged Crook's Indian allies on the high ground north of the main body. Heavily outnumbered, the Crow and Shoshone scouts fell back toward the camp, but their fighting withdrawal gave Crook time to deploy his forces. Rapidly firing soldiers drove off the attackers but used up much of the ammunition meant for use later in the campaign. Low on ammunition and with numerous wounded, the General returned to his post.
Although the Native Americans hated the US cavalry during the Indian Wars of 1865 through 1891, they learned to respect the infantry.
Crazy Horse called them “Walk-a-Heaps” because they marched into battle.
Duty for the US Army on the frontier consisted mainly of patrolling and small unit actions. For the infantryman this typically involved long, forced marches and counter-marches as they sought contact, which was usually unsuccessful, as the Native Americans were a skilful and elusive foe.
The first day’s march for an infantry column was usually limited to no more than 15 miles in order to give the troops an opportunity to adapt themselves to the conditions. For Campaign seasoned troops, 25 miles was considered a good day’s march.
Cavalry could travel faster and further, but their grain fed mounts tended to tire after days of continual marching and surprisingly, well trained infantry could outdistance cavalry units over a period of several weeks.
The Sioux troubles increased the need for mounted troops on the frontier, and as early as December 6[SUP]th[/SUP] 1866, elements of the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] Infantry were mounted, and operating alongside Cavalry.
The practice of using mounted infantry continued until the end of the Indian wars.
The final four sets of dismounted cavalry and mounted infantry are scheduled to be released over the next 5 months.
Best wishes, and Happy New Year!
john jenkins
THUNDER ON THE PLAINS
THE BLACK HILL WARS 1876-1877
THE BATTLE OF ROSEBUD, 17[SUP]th[/SUP] JUNE 1876
As settlers spread westward across North America after 1780, armed conflicts increased in size, duration, and intensity between settlers and various Indian and First Nation tribes.
In 1875, the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 erupted when the Dakota gold rush penetrated the Black Hills. The U.S government decided to stop evicting trespassers from the Black Hills and offered to buy the land from the Sioux. When they refused, the US government decided instead to take the land and gave the Lakota until January 31[SUP]st[/SUP], 1876 to return to reservations.
An United States cavalry regiment in 1876 consisted of 12 companies.
A cavalry company, at full strength had 3 officers and 70 enlisted men.
The US cavalry of 1876 used Lt. Col. Emory Upton’s Cavalry Tactics, which was an unified system of drill, which was compatible among the cavalry, infantry and artillery. This meant an officer could move from one branch of service to another.
Upton’s tactics incorporated a “set of fours” as the basic, or smallest, cavalry unit or squad. This was designed to simplify operations, increase speed, and eliminate cumbersome manoeuvres.
Dismounted skirmishing became the main cavalry mode of engagement with the enemy, which facilitated the dispersal of men on a firing line.
On campaign and in battle, cavalrymen did not always perform as mounted skirmishers but rather served as mounted infantry. By dismounting and kneeling under fire, the trooper presented a much smaller target for the enemy and could take aim much more accurately.
The preparatory command “to fight on foot”, followed by “As skirmishers”, required each cavalryman to dismount and deploy along a firing line at 5yd intervals, with 15yd gaps between each set of four men.
Odd numbered skirmishers in each set of four fired a round on command and then reloaded as even numbered skirmishers fired on order. Each man then continued to fire roughly in an odd-even sequence without regard to the others until “Cease fire” command was given. Skirmish tactics could be employed by the platoon, company, battalion or even at regimental level.
Dismounted skirmishing required one of every four men, designated as a horse holder, to remain with the horses of the other three. Horse holders retired to a safe position in the rear.
On 28[SUP]th[/SUP] May 1876, Brigadier General George Crook assumed direct command of the Bighorn and Yellowstone Expedition at Fort Fetterman. Crook had gathered a strong force. Leaving Fort Fetterman on 29[SUP]th[/SUP] May the 1,051man column consisted of 15 companies from the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Cavalry, 5 companies from the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] and 9[SUP]th[/SUP] Infantry, 250 mules and 106 wagons.
On the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] June, the column was joined by 261 Shoshone and Crow allies.
Based on intelligence reports Crook ordered his entire force to prepare for a quick march. Each man was to carry only 1 blanket, 100 rounds of ammunition, and 4 days rations. The wagon train would be left at Goose Creek, and the infantry would be mounted on the pack mules.
On 17 June, Crook's column set out at 0600, marching northward along the south fork of Rosebud Creek. The Crow and Shoshone scouts were particularly apprehensive. Although the column had not yet encountered any sign of Indians, the scouts seemed to sense their presence. The soldiers, particularly the mule-riding infantry, seemed fatigued from the early start and the previous day's 35-mile (56 km) march. Accordingly, Crook stopped to rest his men and animals at 0800. Although he was deep in hostile territory, Crook made no special dispositions for defense. His troops halted in their marching order. The Cavalry battalions led the column, followed by the battalion of mule-borne foot soldiers, and a provisional company of civilian miners and packers brought up the rear.
The Crow and Shoshone scouts remained alert while the soldiers rested. Several minutes later, the soldiers heard the sound of intermittent gunfire coming from the bluffs to the north. As the intensity of fire increased, a scout rushed into the camp shouting, "Lakota, Lakota!" The Battle of the Rosebud had started. By 0830, the Sioux and Cheyenne had hotly engaged Crook's Indian allies on the high ground north of the main body. Heavily outnumbered, the Crow and Shoshone scouts fell back toward the camp, but their fighting withdrawal gave Crook time to deploy his forces. Rapidly firing soldiers drove off the attackers but used up much of the ammunition meant for use later in the campaign. Low on ammunition and with numerous wounded, the General returned to his post.
Although the Native Americans hated the US cavalry during the Indian Wars of 1865 through 1891, they learned to respect the infantry.
Crazy Horse called them “Walk-a-Heaps” because they marched into battle.
Duty for the US Army on the frontier consisted mainly of patrolling and small unit actions. For the infantryman this typically involved long, forced marches and counter-marches as they sought contact, which was usually unsuccessful, as the Native Americans were a skilful and elusive foe.
The first day’s march for an infantry column was usually limited to no more than 15 miles in order to give the troops an opportunity to adapt themselves to the conditions. For Campaign seasoned troops, 25 miles was considered a good day’s march.
Cavalry could travel faster and further, but their grain fed mounts tended to tire after days of continual marching and surprisingly, well trained infantry could outdistance cavalry units over a period of several weeks.
The Sioux troubles increased the need for mounted troops on the frontier, and as early as December 6[SUP]th[/SUP] 1866, elements of the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] Infantry were mounted, and operating alongside Cavalry.
The practice of using mounted infantry continued until the end of the Indian wars.
The final four sets of dismounted cavalry and mounted infantry are scheduled to be released over the next 5 months.
Best wishes, and Happy New Year!
john jenkins
