Fort Keogh
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'''Fort Keogh''' is a former [[United States Army]] post located on the western edge of today's [[Miles City, Montana]]. It is situated on the south bank of the [[Yellowstone River]] at the mouth of the Tongue River. | '''Fort Keogh''' is a former [[United States Army]] post located on the western edge of today's [[Miles City, Montana]]. It is situated on the south bank of the [[Yellowstone River]] at the mouth of the Tongue River. | ||
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The ''Miles City Chamber of Commerce'' web site noted: | The ''Miles City Chamber of Commerce'' web site noted: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
| − | According to the diaries kept by George Miles, the nephew of the Colonel who traveled with his uncle, a man named | + | According to the diaries kept by [[George Miles]], the nephew of the Colonel who traveled with his uncle, a man named [[Matt Carrol]] set up some barrels under a tarp and started selling [[whiskey]]. When Colonel Miles got tired of having his guard house filled to overflowing--whiskey causing him, Miles said, more trouble than the Indians--he ordered Carrol and the other purveyors of liquor to leave the military reservation. |
| − | An employee of Carrol's, one John Carter, rode east on his big | + | An employee of Carrol's, one [[John Carter]], rode east on his big bay horse until he was the required two miles away, beyond the edge of the reservation. He found a flat spot along the [[Yellowstone River|Yellowstone]], built a crude log hut out of driftwood and started selling whiskey. The soldiers soon found the place, other merchants followed, and Miles City was born. |
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
| − | Milestown was at first almost nothing but rowdy; many a drunken soldier emerged from its saloons. About a year after settling in the area, General Miles moved the fort to the present location just a couple of miles southwest of the original site. He hoped that the extra distance from the town would slow the unruliness. | + | Milestown was at first almost nothing but rowdy; many a drunken soldier emerged from its saloons. About a year after settling in the area, General Miles moved the fort to the present location just a couple of miles southwest of the original site. He hoped that the extra distance from the town would slow the unruliness. However, he had also moved the military land border from what is now Hanyes Ave westward to the Tongue River, so the town picked up and moved to its current location closer to the fort. |
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[[File:Crude building under construction at Fort Keogh, Mont., ca. 1889 - NARA - 531100.jpg|thumb|right|Crude building under construction at Fort Keogh, Mont., ca. 1889]] | [[File:Crude building under construction at Fort Keogh, Mont., ca. 1889 - NARA - 531100.jpg|thumb|right|Crude building under construction at Fort Keogh, Mont., ca. 1889]] | ||
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==20th century history== | ==20th century history== | ||
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==Giant snowflake== | ==Giant snowflake== | ||
''[[Guinness World Records]]'' reports that the largest natural snowflake ever recorded, measuring 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter, fell at Fort Keogh on 28 January 1887. | ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' reports that the largest natural snowflake ever recorded, measuring 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter, fell at Fort Keogh on 28 January 1887. | ||
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| + | [[File:StiefflerFtKeoghClrDtl.jpg|thumb|600px]] | ||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == | ||
| + | ===1877=== | ||
| + | Oct 1877: The wood contract was established at $5 (per ?cord?) for green and $6 for dry. 120 of the "engineers" that were building the fort leave about the 2oth for Bismarck. [[J. J. Graham]] has the contract to transport them in Mackinaws. Weather has been good, but winter is nearing. Payment vouchers are running out and a fresh Federal appropriation for the Army is anxiously looked for. | ||
| − | 5 Dec 1877: 4 companies of cavalry; 10 companies of infantry. Col. [[Nelson A. Miles]], [[5th Infantry]], commanding. Other nearby posts include: Forts Abraham Lincoln, Benton, Buford, Stevenson, Rice, Custer, and the Standing Rock Agency. | + | |
| + | [[5 Dec 1877]]: 4 companies of cavalry; 10 companies of infantry. Col. [[Nelson A. Miles]], [[5th Infantry]], commanding. Other nearby posts include: Forts Abraham Lincoln, Benton, Buford, Stevenson, Rice, Custer, and the Standing Rock Agency. | ||
Early Dec 1877: [[Col. Baker]] left the fort for Porcupine, where [[Tingley]]'s outfit was corralled, with 3 companies of cavalry. (source: [[Paul McCormick]]) | Early Dec 1877: [[Col. Baker]] left the fort for Porcupine, where [[Tingley]]'s outfit was corralled, with 3 companies of cavalry. (source: [[Paul McCormick]]) | ||
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[[17 Dec 1877]]: Paymaster Maj. [[William Arthur]] left Bismarck with [[Lt. Thompson]] providing an escort. He will distribute payrolls to Forts Stevenson, Buford, Keogh and Custer. He probably had half a million dollars with him. | [[17 Dec 1877]]: Paymaster Maj. [[William Arthur]] left Bismarck with [[Lt. Thompson]] providing an escort. He will distribute payrolls to Forts Stevenson, Buford, Keogh and Custer. He probably had half a million dollars with him. | ||
| + | ===1878=== | ||
[[14 Jan 1878]]: Paymaster Maj. [[William Arthur]] left [[Fort Burford]] with [[Lt. Bronson]] and Co. G of the [[6th Infantry]] providing an escort. He will distribute payrolls to Forts Keogh and Custer. | [[14 Jan 1878]]: Paymaster Maj. [[William Arthur]] left [[Fort Burford]] with [[Lt. Bronson]] and Co. G of the [[6th Infantry]] providing an escort. He will distribute payrolls to Forts Keogh and Custer. | ||
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| + | About this same time, [[Yellowstone Kelly]] (his face badly frozen from a blizzard) arrived with scouting info on Indians from the north. He likely told Miles that: 150 lodges of [[Ogalala]]s, [[Brule]]s and [[Cheyenne]] crossed the Missouri 6 mi. below the mouth of the [[Milk River]] about [[5 Jan 1878]], heading north. Smaller war parties were sighted in the same area, same direction, one with a large herd of ponies. [[Sitting Bull]] is believed to be just south of the Canadian border on [[Rock Creek]], with about 300 lodges on Rock Creek and [[Frenchman's creek]] and they are likely going to join him. There are likely 9 camps straddling both sides of the border. Rock Creek is said to also have a camp of half-breeds containing a few [[Nez Perce]]s braves. The Indians are said to be constantly moving back and forth, visiting the [[Yanktonians]] frequently. The Yanktonians and [[Assinaboins]] are constantly losing ponies, some 200 head so far. The most reliable rumors, however, put Sitting Bull on the Canadian side of the border, with some of his followers on the Montana side. | ||
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| + | (A few days later, the publisher of the [[Bismarck Tribune]] laments the small numbers of soldiers in the area and the need to kill all the Indians before they gather numbers and attack a small fort or town.) | ||
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| + | On the 25th, the paper reports that a telegraph from Miles at Fort Keogh on the 24th says that Sitting Bull is on Frenchman's Creek and has about 4000 warriors and 5000 women and children in 1000 lodges and that Fort Peck and Keogh are preparing to defend themselves. Two companies of infantry have been sent from Keogh to protect Fort Peck. Fort Keogh only has 500 men. With Sitting Bull are: [[Black Moon]], [[Four Horns]], [[Long Dog]] and [[Red Bear]]. Another count gives Sitting Bull 2300 warriors, plus 800 escaped Nez Perce and agency Indians who are well armed with Sharp's rifles and plenty of ammo, plus a large number of Government horses and mules. [[Red Bear]] had deserted the agency with 200 lodges, just after returning from [[Washington DC]]. Indians have been spotted within 10 miles of Fort Peck. [[Black Catfish]] chief of the [[Yanktons]] is in the vicinity of Peck and Wolf Points, and sent word to [[Gen. Miles]] that he will stand by him. | ||
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| + | On [[2 Feb 1878]] the Bismarck Tribune reported: "[[Gen. Miles]] is preparing to move against Sitting Bull, probably on the 10th with 8 companies of cavalry and 8-10 companies of infantry plus as many Crow as he can get. Weather is good, no snow yet. An Indian scout had arrived the day before from Fort Stevenson with dispatches from Mils for Gen. Terry and one for the commissary at [[Fort Lincoln]]. A man arrived the previous day on the stage from Fort Buford and claimed that it was common knowledge there that Sitting Bull is on the Montana side, on [[Box Elder Creek]] hunting buffalo. He said that (British Canadian) "[[Maj. Walsh]] doesn't know what he is talking about". A dispatch from Miles dated [[25 Jan 1879]] says that the main body of his field force is en route to Fort Peck, where he will await the arrival of 150 recruits for the [[5th Infantry]] and instructions from Terry on the status of Sitting Bull and how to handle him should he be captured. The recruits haven't reached Bismarck yet and when they do, they are to take the Stanley Trail to Fort Keogh. | ||
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| + | By [[5 Feb 1878]] national newspapers are reporting that British officers in Manitoba claim that Sitting Bull is more interested in hunting buffalo than attacking the forts. | ||
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| + | On or before [[6 Feb 1878]] having been informed of the possibility of mail service between Keogh and Bismarck becoming daily using a direct route, if Miles recommended it, Miles relayed the info to the citizenry who promptly circulated a petition which was then endorsed by Miles and forwarded back to Bismarck. Currently, mail and small packages travel from Bismarck to Fort Buford (230 miles NW) and then 170 miles SW to Fort Keogh. The direct route is almost 150 miles shorter. It is hoped that a telegraph line be established along this route and onward to Forts Custer and Ellis at least. As a perspective, the War Department spent $1830 in the last four months of 1877 using couriers from Keogh to Bismarck. The route in mind is the 250 mile surveyed route for the [[Northern Pacific Railroad]]. The wood contract at Fort Keogh has been met, putting about 300 men and many teams out of jobs. [[Gen. Sherman]] was quoted as saying, "We have got 'em to fight again, and meantime we are feeding their families while they are off reservation making their preparations for the campaign against us." Talk was being circulated of establishing a military department of the Yellowstone with Miles as commander. The argument is that Terry in St. Paul is too far away. | ||
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| + | [[6 Feb 1878]] a special transport train arrives in the morning at Bismarck from St. Paul with 150 recruits for the [[5th Infantry]] at Keogh and 50 recruits for Fort Buford's [[6th Infantry]]. By 2pm the long march began with 28 wagons and two ambulances for a total of 300 men in the train. In command is Col. [[E. Rice]] (of the "trowel bayonette" fame), assisted by Lt. [[James Humbert]] of Fort Lincoln. [[Lt Pearson]] ([[2nd Cavalry]]) is quartermaster, with [[Lt. Meyer]] of the [[11th Infantry]] in tow. Acting Assistant Surgeon is Dr. [[A. C. Bergen]]. The wagons contain lots of arms, ammo, food and clothing. The Stanley Trail route has been rejected by Gen. Terry and they are going via Fort Buford, which they expect to reach in eight days, plus another six days for the rest to reach Keogh, a 400 mile trek. | ||
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| + | [[7 Feb 1878]] '''Fort Buford''': Mr. Cad, mgr of the trader's store at Poplar Creek Agency with Charley Sargent arrived and met "Col." Mitchell's train from Bismarck with their goods which they will take back with them. E. T. Winston's wood contract at this post has been filled by Leighton and Jordan, putting in about 2500 cords, probably half of what is needed for the future. Mr. Cad reports that Miles is probably at Fort Peck and that Sitting Bull is no longer in charge, but a chief with "Horn" in his name is. (copy this to Fort Buford article) | ||
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| + | Around [[8 Feb 1878]] national newspapers report that on Christmas eve past, a council was held between Sitting Bull and the British Canadian police where Major Walsh threatened the native Americans with a fine of $200 and 6 months imprisonment for killing a cow buffalo. Blaming the Americans for this meanness, Sitting Bull replied that they would be forced to hunt for food south of the border or else starve, to which Walsh advised him that he does so at his own peril. Sitting Bull said he would return to Montana and die fighting the Americans. | ||
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| + | Around Valentines Day [[14 Feb 1878]] a Pennsylvania paper published this bigoted version of reality, erroneously claiming that Frenchman's Creek is just a few miles from Fort Keogh, predicting that the tiny garrison at Keogh would soon be slaughtered and the Indian sympathizers will be asking that they be treated kindly, when the "only way to treat them is...by simply killing off all that will not respect the kindness of the government." | ||
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| + | [[14 Feb 1878]] The February roster for the Department of Dakota (St Paul to the Rockies, Canada to Nebraska) lists 12 companies of the 2nd Cavalry headquarted at Fort Custer with detachments at Forts Keogh, Custer and Ellis. 3rd Cavalry (4 companies) stationed at Red Cloud and New Spotted Tail agencies. 7th Cavalry, HQ at Fort Lincoln, with companies stationed at Lincoln, Totten, Rice and Standing Rock Agency. 1st Infantry, HQ at Fort Randall, companies stationed at Randall, Lower Brule and Standing Rock Agencies and Fort Sully. 3rd Infantry, HQ at Helena, troops at Fort Missoula and Camp Baker. 5th Infantry at Fort Keogh. 6th Infantry at Cheyenne Agency, 6 companies there and 4 at Fort Custer. 17th Infantry at the Standing Rock Agency, companies stationed at Forts Sisseton, Totten, Lincoln, Pembina and Snelling. 122 officers are absent from their posts (34 sick, 34 absent with leave, 80 on detached duty, 14 temporary duty, 8 recruiting, with Gen Hazen in Europe under instructions and Major Reno absent by authority). | ||
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| + | ===1882=== | ||
| + | [[18 Oct 1882]] A "calico" dance was held in the Chappel building. The Post band played and "the tripping of the light fantastic toe" was kept up until the "wee, sma' hours". On a different page, it says there will be a "calico ball" tonight. Must be a left over slug from previous issue. | ||
| + | [[19 Oct 1882]] Maj. Maginnis cuts forces down to three companies, and increases Fort Maginnis to 13 companies. | ||
| + | [[19 Oct 1882]] A brick sidewalk between the [[Post trader]]'s store ([[Macqueen & Young]]) and the Officers' club-room has been added. [[Samuel Camp]] has been remodeling the Post trader's store rooms. [[William Bahr]] is hired away from the [[Commercial Hotel]] to run the dry goods department. | ||
| + | [[27 Oct 1882]] The wife and children of quartermaster blacksmith [[Milton Prickett]] are to arrive. | ||
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| + | ===1888=== | ||
| + | [[3 May 1888]] [[5th Infantry]] is reassigned, will be leaving Fort Keogh and going to various forts in Texas: | ||
| + | * HQ will be at [[Fort Bliss]] with B Co. (Capt. Carter & Lt. Kimball); E Co. (Capt. Ewers, Lt. Defrees & Lt. Baylies) | ||
| + | * [[Fort Ringgold]]: A Co. (Capt. Randall, Lt. Partello & Lt. Avis); G Co. (Capt. Romeyn, Lt. Miller & Lt. Weeks) | ||
| + | * [[Fort McIntosh]]: C Co. (Cppt. Forbes, Lt. Churchill & Lt. Croxton); F Co. (Capt. Rice, Lt. Liggett & Lt. Sage); Major Woodruff commanding | ||
| + | * [[Fort Davis]]: K Co. (Capt. Baldwin, Lt. Vowen & Lt. Wilson); I Co. (Lt. Lyman); Lt. Col. Cochran commanding | ||
| + | * [[Fort Brown]]: D Co. (Capt. Hargous, Lt. Rillson & Lt. Chatfield) | ||
| + | * [[Fort Hancock]]: H Co. (Capt. Logan, Lt. Bailey & Lt. Perkins) | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | File: | + | File:MilesCity_1876Dec_Proposed2.jpg|Proposed locations, c. December 1876 |
| + | File:StiefflerFtKeoghClrLg.jpg|Fort Keogh by [[Hermann Stieffel]] | ||
| + | File:StiefflerFtKeoghGry.jpg|Fort Keogh by [[Hermann Stieffel]] | ||
| + | File:Horse&BuggyOnFtKeoghRes.jpg|On the Fort Keogh Reservation, near the Yellowstone River, c. 1880 | ||
File:"Skating party, Ft. Keogh, Mont., about 1890." - NARA - 531106.jpg|Skating party, Ft. Keogh, Mont., about 1890. | File:"Skating party, Ft. Keogh, Mont., about 1890." - NARA - 531106.jpg|Skating party, Ft. Keogh, Mont., about 1890. | ||
| − | File: | + | File:"German Singing Society, 22nd Infantry, Ft. Keogh, May 13, 1894." An open-air songfest - NARA - 531105.jpg|German Singing Society, 22nd Infantry, Ft. Keogh, May 13, 1894 |
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
