Sunday, 9/18.
Went into camp on Rosebud Creek, near old Crook Fight. Weather
clear to start. Thunder storm came over late afternoon. Light
rain and wind. Antelope & Venison for supper. Storm cleared
bef. sunset. Nice moon, sing along. Thought I heard firing
late at night, was R's bedroll making noise.
Monday, 9/19.
Up bef. dawn under arms. Full moon. Hash for breakfast. Storm
passed north. Clear and windy. Assigned to wood detail.
Drilled till dinner, bacon, crackers and tomatoes.Signal drill and duties of sentinels in afternoon. Had to tie a
string to my hat to keep from losing it. Got mail by courier,
letter from newspaper asking for reports from field. Vice got
two, one love, one job offer. Wright got letter from home
disowning him for putting on the Blue Coat. Kane got a threat
of a paternity suit.Had fish for supper. Relaxed till Tatoo at 7:30. Boy's played
some cards, or toured Crook's fight. Horseman sighted to NW.
Tuesday, 9/20.
Was assigned cook's police last night. Was supposed to be up at
5:30. At about 4:30 Post #1 (Bradley) gave the alarm. Guard
went to relief while Co. formed. (Shots fired while we formed).
Sgt. took four of us at the double to the left of the post.
Knocked down Walker while doing it. Halted in skirmish order
while Sgt. checked on sentinels. All advanced about 100 yds and
halted to observe to NW. Nothing sighted. Sgt found a
moccasin. Returned to camp and reported to Cook. 1st Squad
sent to scout hills to north. Bradley said he saw mounted
figures to NW, who retired when fired upon. Boys doubtful,
despite moccasin. Our squad stayed in camp, did fatigues and
drilled. Canned peaches and crackers for dinner.Instructed on care of rifle in aft. noon. Sgt stung by a wasp. We
were at first confused, then amused by his jumping arround. Seems
the bug had gotten down his shirt. No lasting harm was done.1st Squad back about 2, found old indian gun near where Bradley
spotted riders.Mail arrived with freight wagon. Someone put up Langham for a
girl's reform school, he was rejected for admission. Vice got
news of law after him. Walker got an overdue bill for a spree
at Deadwood House, he can't remember it. Wilder had a piece of
equipment he designed rejected by the QM Dept. RB got a back
order note for a book on land investment.A reporter arrived in camp. Nice to know we're not forgotten.
Before supper Sgt set up a hardtack eating contest between
Walker and Wright. Bottle of beer to the winner. There was a
false start under Kane's direction, then they were off in a near
dead heat. Winner was Wright, first to swallow and spit, at 1
min. 39 sec. Borud challenged Vice for a second annual match,
Vice accepted.Sausage gravy, hardtack and canned tomatoes for supper. Good
food!
Wednesday, 9/21. My Birthday.
Picked for guard tonight. Last night a storm came up, wind and
rain about midnight. Got up and hanged a shelter half in front
of the gap in the door to keep out the water. Snow about 2am.
Guards were pulled in because of the storm.Breakfast managed to happen. Bradley late for KP, but avoided
punishment. I put on my new wool underwear. Whole command run
through the setting up exercises to warm up.Sent on scout about 9am. Sun came out when we got to the top of
Crook's hill. Stucky had a can of smoked oysters, which we all
shared. Great view, no sign of indians. Advanced to packer's
rocks, then cut down to Kollmar Creek and followed it to camp.Arrived in time for lunch, canned peaches and crackers.
Skirmish drill in afternoon.Courier came while we were out. Letters for Vice, Wright,
Campbell, Berce, and Jurgella. Berce got belated
commendation for action in the Seminole War. The letters
reporting his actions were lost. Campbell was called to answer for
lost letters and desertion during same war. Jurgella had a
subscription problem with Harpers, something about duplicate
subscriptions. Wright received thanks for location of outlaw
gang. Vice had warning of law after him.Weather still threatening, hard to dry anything. Signal
practice with relay station in late afternoon, I was on the
relay detail. Stew of canned tomatoes, bacon and hardtack for supper.Drew the 12-2 guard detail. Night was cold as hell. Slept well
until guard, not at all after. Nothing to report while on guard.
Thursday, 9/22.
Ice on exposed buckets, heavy frost. Weather Clear. Bacon and
crackers for breakfast. Target shooting till dinner. Some of
the boys brought out some private stocks of food. Sausage,
spiced tomatoes and dry bread. Canned peaches and, of course,
hardtack served for dinner.More Target shooting in the afternoon, then firing in skirmish
order. During the day some staff officers stopped to observe
us, then continued on towards the Goose Creek camp. Cleaned
our rifles, then mail call.Borud, Lasie, Vice, Langham, and orders for Sutton. No letters
for me. Borud got contract for buffalo hides for machinery
belts. Lasie's numerous siblings, and the cow, miss him.
Vice's admirer has thrown him over for a rival. Langham's
transfer to the Signal Corps is being held up. Sutton has
orders to detain Stucky for his involvement with a female
teamster from Deadwood, who was working in disguise during
Crook's June campaign. Sgt. also received a miss-sent letter
for a Major Sutton, RE: a natural history exhibit for the Centennial
Exhibition in Philadelphia. Lastly, Sutton received a box, also
misdirected (It was meant for a certain high ranking officer),
from his brother the sutler. Graciously, he shared the contents
with the men. Supper should be a real treat.Weather was clear and warm today. I did better in my shooting
than last time, but still have not broken 50.
Friday, 9/23
Alarm given last night just after Tatoo. Vice spotted 3 riders
to the east. Guard stayed guarding camp, while we were sent out
to investigate. Nothing seen, did check a back trail leading in
direction riders came from. Co. was in skirmish order to south
of wagon road, facing east. Walker and I were on the road. I
spotted the back trail, and Sgt. took us (W&I) to look. Could
not tell how old trail was, so returned to camp. Could hear the
guard in camp the whole time, as the air was still. We even
heard the watchword from post No. 1. Slept well until before
dawn, as night was somewhat warmer.At Tatoo the Sergeant announced that we were ordered back to
Goose Creek Camp. Next morning Co. made one last scout of the
battlefield before breaking camp.Bacon and crackers for breakfast. Peaches and crackers for
dinner. Weather clear and warm, light breeze. Left Rosebud
about noon.
Friday, 9/__ (?)
Got into camp at Goose Creek. Were informed that command was to
be dispersed, so the Boys got together to discuss the campaign
and our futures. We arranged for the best supper available.
The choicest meats, viands and BEER! Some of the Boys arranged
for Sutton to be served last. When his came it was a meat can
of bacon, hash, beans and hardtack. How we howled! Sutton then
got his full meal, and conviviality reigned. We all got to bed
well after dark. Tomorrow the command departs for their winter
stations. Thus ends our campaign on the Rosebud.
This is a transcription of Nick Worthington's journal kept
during the General Miles Marching & Chowder Society's 1994
encampment at Rosebud Battlefield, Montana.