Manuscripts
Eli S. Ricker Collection: Interviews, Statements, Letters, Notes, Mss., Nebraska State Historical Society
Notebook kept by Dr. V. T. McGillycuddy, M.D., while a member of the Yellowstone and Big Horn Expedition May 26 to December 13, 1876 and notes kept by his wife Fanny at Camp Robinson December 13, 1876-February 22, 1877 and with the army on an expedition to the Black Hills, February 23-April 11, 1877, typed copy, Nebraska State Historical Society.
Footnotes
1Lt. Gen. P. H. Sheridan to Gen. W. T. Sherman, March 3, 1874, Office of the Adjutant General, Records of the War Department, Document File 563-AGO-1874 (National Archives and Record Service, Record Group 94, Ms., microfilm). Hereafter these documents will be cited as NARS, RG 94.
2Located in Wyoming on the Platte River just west of the Nebraska line near the present town of Henry, Nebraska.
3During the buffalo hunt the Sioux discovered and defeated a hunting party of their traditional Pawnee enemies on August 5, 1873. The site of the Battle of Massacre Canyon is near the present town of Trenton, Nebraska.
4Sitting Bull of the South (or Sitting Bull the Oglala), head soldier of the Kiyuksa Oglala band, is not to be confused with the Sitting Bull (the Hunkpapa) of Custer Battle fame.
5Man Afraid of His Horses (the elder) led the Hunkpatila band. Both he and his son were prominent in affairs at Red Cloud Agency. For a detailed discussion of the position of these and other Indian leaders, see George E. Hyde, Red Cloud’s Folk (Norman, Okla., 1937).
6J. J. Saville to Gen. J. E. Smith, February 9, 1874, NARS, RG 94.
7Omaha Weekly Bee, February 18, 1874.
8S. V. Benet, Acting Chief of Ordnance, to Adjutant General, U. S. Army, February 16, 1874, NARS, RG 94.
9Companies B and G, Third Cavalry and Companies A, C, E, I, M and K, Second Cavalry, made up the cavalry battalion. Companies B, C, F, H, and K, Eighth Infantry, Companies B and K, Thirteenth Infantry, and Company F, Fourteenth Infantry, composed the infantry battalion.
10As a result the expedition returned via a different route. Later the road between Fort Laramie and Red Cloud Agency was partially relocated and necessary bridges built.
11Camp Robinson: Company G, Third Cavalry; Company H, Eighth Infantry; Company F, Fourteenth Infantry; Companies B and K, Thirteenth Infantry.
12Band chiefs and “soldiers” (camp police) had authority only in their own camp. The four men selected to have supreme authority during the annual tribal encampment were not chiefs but prominent warriors. For a discussion of some of the differences in authority between chiefs and prominent warriors, see Hyde, op. cit., pp. 308-315.
13Lt. Gen. P. H. Sheridan to Gen. W. T. Sherman, March 3, 1874, NARS, RG 94.
14“Record of the Medical History of Post [Fort Robinson], Medical Department, U. S. Army” (Ms. copy), Tablet No. 31, Ricker Collection, Nebraska State Historical Society.
15Hyde, op. cit., pp. 221, 222; J. J. Saville to Hon. E. P. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, October 24, 1874 and Capt. W. H. Jordan to Gen. George D. Ruggles, October 29, 1874, NARS, RG 94.
16General Orders No. 13, February 21, 1876, Fort Robinson, Nebraska Selected Post Orders, 1874-97, U. S. Army Commands, Records of the War Department, NARS, RG 98.
17About eight hundred more Sioux were hunting south of the Platte River.
18Capt. H. M. Lazelle to Gen. John E. Smith, April 6, 1874, NARS, RG 94.
19A. G. Brackett, “The Sioux or Dakota Indians,” Smithsonian Institution, Annual Report, 1876, pp. 466-474.
20Interview by Judge E. S. Ricker with George Colhoff, Tablet No. 17, Ms, Ricker Collection, Nebraska State Historical Society.
21The names of Camp Robinson and Red Cloud Agency, and Camp Sheridan and Spotted Tail Agency were frequently employed as synonyms because of the proximity of the military posts to the respective agencies; hence a group surrendering at Red Cloud Agency could also be spoken of as surrendering at Camp Robinson.
22W. P. Clark, The Indian Sign Language (Philadelphia, 1885), p. 296.
23Before becoming a scout for the army Grouard had lived for several years in the camps of the hostiles Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. His later action in leading soldiers in the campaigns was unfavorable to his former friends. It has been suggested that he therefore had reason to fear Crazy Horse.
24General Crook to Gen. E. D. Townsend, Adjutant General, September 5, 1877, NARS, RG 94.
25The death of Crazy Horse is a complex event and both eyewitness descriptions and reconstructions of it vary in detail. This account is a brief summary rather than an analysis.
26In the fall of 1877 New Red Cloud Agency was located on the Missouri River in Dakota Territory at the mouth of Yellow Medicine Creek.
27Notebook kept by Dr. V. T. McGillycuddy, M.D., while a member of the Yellowstone and Big Horn Expedition May 26 to December 13, 1876 and notes kept by his wife Fanny at Camp Robinson December 13, 1876-February 22, 1877 and with the army on an expedition to the Black Hills, February 23-April 11, 1877, typed copy, Nebraska State Historical Society. See entry for December 13, 1876.
28“Record of the Medical History of Post,” op. cit.
29McGillicuddy, op. cit., entry for December 28-31, 1876.
30General Orders No. 23, March 24, 1877, Fort Robinson, Nebraska Selected Post Orders, 1874-97, NARS, RG 98. General Orders No. 43, December 29, 1874, Camp Sheridan, Nebraska Orders, 1874-1881, NARS.
31General Orders No. 16, Fort Robinson, Nebraska, January 24, 1888 give this routine:
I. Hereafter the calls of this post will be sounded as follows:
| First Call | 15 minutes before sunrise | ||
| March | 10 minutes before sunrise | ||
| Reveille and Assembly | Sunrise | ||
| Breakfast Call | Immediately after reveille | ||
| Sick Call | 7:30 | A.M. | |
| Fatigue Call | 7:45 | A.M. | |
| Guard Mounting Assembly of Trumpeters | 9:00 | A.M. | |
| Guard Mounting Assembly of Details | 9:05 | A.M. | |
| Guard Mounting Adjutants Calls | 9:10 | A.M. | |
| School Call (for children) | 9:00 | A.M. | |
| Drill Call Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays | 9:30 | A.M. | |
| Water Call | 9:45 | A.M. | |
| Recall from Drill | 10:30 | A.M. | |
| Recall from Fatigue | 11:45 | A.M. | |
| 1st Sergeants Call | 11:45 | A.M. | |
| Dinner Call | 12:00 | M | |
| Fatigue and School Call (School call for children) | 1:00 | P.M. | |
| Drill Call | 1:30 | P.M. | |
| Recall from Drill | 3:00 | P.M. | |
| Water Call (which shall be recall for cavalry from fatigue) | 3:30 | P.M. | |
| Stable Call | 3:45 | P.M. | |
| Recall from Fatigue | 5:00 | P.M. | |
| Retreat First Call | 5 minutes before sunset | ||
| Retreat Assembly | Sunset | ||
| Tatoo First Call | 8:45 | P.M. | |
| Tatoo March | 8:55 | P.M. | |
| Tatoo and Assembly | 9:00 | P.M. | |
| Taps | 9:30 | P.M. | |
| Dress Parade | 15 minutes before sunset | ||
| Dress Parade, Assembly | 5 minutes after sunset | ||
| School Call for Soldiers (Saturday and Sunday excepted) | 7:00 | P.M. | |
| School Call for Officers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday | 1:00 | P.M. | |
| School Call for non-com Officers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday | 10:45 | A.M. | |
| Sunday Morning Inspection | 9:00 | A.M. | |
| Sunday Morning Assembly | 9:00 | A.M. | |
| Signal Instruction Wednesday from 2:30 to | 3:30 | P.M. | |
32Telegram, Lt. Biddle to Assistant Adjutant General, Department of the Platte, October 16, 1891, NARS, RG 98. Artificer Cornelius Donovan died of a fractured skull inflicted by Sergeant of the Guard Jackson.
33“Record of the Medical History of Post,” op. cit.
34This brief summary of the Cheyenne Outbreak is not detailed; there are numerous longer descriptions and eyewitness accounts.
35Martin F. Schmitt, ed., General George Crook, His Autobiography (Norman, Okla., 1946), p. 226.
36Crawford was named for Capt. Emmet Crawford, Third Cavalry, who played a prominent role in the history of Fort Robinson. He was killed in Mexico in January 1886 while pursuing hostile Apache Indians.
37Col. Edward Hatch to Adjutant General, U. S. Army, April 20, 1888; Lt. A. R. Egbert to the Coroner of Dawes County, Chadron, Nebr., August 31, 1886; Endorsement, Proceedings of a Board of Survey, September 23, 1886; Major A. S. Burt to the Hon. Judge Dundy, U. S. Circuit Court, Omaha, Nebr., January 4, 1888; Fort Robinson, Nebraska, Selected Letters Sent, 1884-1900, NARS, RG 98.
38Veteran white officers commanded the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry regiments. Both regiments served at Fort Robinson, the Ninth during the 1880’s and 1890’s and the Tenth in the early 1900’s. Both regiments won renown during the Indian Wars.
39Col. D. Perry to Adjutant General, Department of the Platte, Omaha, Nebraska, April 2, 1897, NARS, RG 98.
40All graves in the post cemetery were removed to Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Nebraska, when the Army turned the post over to the United States Department of Agriculture.
41When Capt. Anson Mills directed construction of new buildings at Camp Sheridan in 1875 Spotted Tail told him he knew troops were to be permanently stationed at his agency because “when they put rocks under their houses they are going to stay.” (Anson Mills, My Story [Washington, 1918], p. 163.)
42“Camp Robinson, Nebraska,” Report on the Hygiene of the United States Army (Washington, 1875), Surgeon-General’s Office, Circular No. 8, pp. 366-367.
This plan shows major buildings constructed. Buildings shown in black are still standing; those in outline are no longer in existence.
| 1 Bachelor Off. Qtrs. | 1909 |
| 2, 3, 10, 12, 14 Office Qtrs. | 1891 |
| 4 Off. Qtrs., Museum | 1887 |
| 4-9 Office Qtrs. | 1887 |
| 4C & 7C Garages | 1936 |
| 11-13 Relocated NCO Qtrs. | 1902 |
| 15, 16, 19 Office Qtrs | 1909 |
| 17 Cmdg. Off. Qtrs. | 1909 |
| 18 Cmdg. Off. Qtrs. | 1891 |
| 20 Post Hosp. | 1910 |
| 21 Barracks | 1909 |
| 22 Cav. Barracks | 1891 |
| 24-26, 28-30 Cav. Barracks | 1887 |
| 27 Fire Station | 1910 |
| 31 Flag Pole Relocation | 1930 |
| 32 Post Hq., Museum | 1905 |
| 33 Crazy Horse Monument | 1934 |
| 34 Flag Staff | 1890 |
| 35 Levi Robinson Monument | 1934 |
| 36 Cav. Barracks | 1889 |
| 37 Post Trader | 1874 |
| 38 Barracks | 1909 |
| 39 Admin. Bldg. | 1883 |
| 40 Comdg. Off. Qtrs. | 1884 |
| 40A Post Chapel, WWII | |
| 41 Comdg. Off. Qtrs. | 1875 |
| 42, 43 Off. Qtrs. | 1874 |
| 44-47 Off. Qtrs. | 1875 |
| 48 CCC Swimming Pool | 1935 |
| 49 Bandleader’s Qtrs | 1886 |
| 101 Post Gym., Museum | 1904 |
| 102 Post Hosp. | 1885 |
| 103-106 Cav. Stables | 1908 |
| 108-109 Cav. Stables | 1891 |
| 109 Animal Handling Chute | 1942 |
| 110, 111, 113, 118 Cav. Stables | 1887 |
| 112, 117 Cav. Stables | 1895 |
| 114 Blacksmith Shop, Museum | 1904 |
| 115 Blacksmith Shop, Museum | 1906 |
| 119, 121 Stable Guard | 1908 |
| 122 Hosp. Stwd. Qtrs | 1885 |
| 123 Vet. Hosp. Annex | 1941 |
| 124 Vet. Hosp. Annex | 1909 |
| 125 Hospital | 1875 |
| 126 Infantry Barracks | 1876 |
| 128 Infantry Barracks | 1874 |
| 129 Infantry Barracks | 1882 |
| 130 Non-Com Qtrs. | 1888 |
| 131 Non-Com Qtrs | 1890 |
| 132, 133 Non-Com Qtrs. | 1886 |
| 134 Non-Com Qtrs | 1902 |
| 135 Non-Com Qtrs | |
| 136 Tailor-Saddler Shops | 1874 |
| 137 Cavalry Barracks | 1874 |
| 138 Adjutant’s Office | 1874 |
| 139 Guard House | 1884 |
| 140 Guard House | 1874 |
| 141 Commissary Stores | 1874 |
| 142 Laundresses’ Qtrs. | 1874 |
| 143 Quartermaster Shops | 1874 |
| 144 Storehouse | 1884 |
| 145 Bakery | 1874 |
| 146 Carpt. & Paint Shops | 1874 |
| 147 Shops | 1884 |
| 148 RR Station | 1886 |
| 149, 150 Non-Com. Qtrs. | 1897 |
| 151, 153, 155 Cavalry Stables | 1874 |
| 152 Magazine | 1874 |
| 154 Ordnance Stores | 1874 |
| 157, 158 Quartermaster Stores | 1874 |
| 159 Butcher Shop | 1874 |
| 160 Veterinary Hosp. | 1905 |
| 161 Ice House | |
| 162 QM Lumber Stores | 1891 |
| 163 QM Corral & Stables | |
| 164 Laundry | 1907 |
| 170, 171 Vet. Wards | 1942 |
| 172 Tennis Courts | 1935 |
| 173 Post Office | 1943 |
| 174 Post Exchange | 1942 |
| 175 Recreation Hall—WAC | |
| 176 Mess Hall—WAC | |
| 177 Barracks—WAC | |
| 178 Hay & Grain Shed | 1933 |
| 179 Stallion Stable | 1930 |
| 201 Magazine | 1894 |
| 202 QM Wagon Shed | 1892 |
| 203 QM Stable | 1892 |
| 204 Water Tanks | 1884 |
| 205 Post Chapel | 1893 |
| 206 Gun Shed | 1894 |
| 207 QM Pack Train Stable | 1892 |
| 209 QM Wagon Shed | 1896 |
| 210 QM Shed | |
| 211 Packers’ Qtrs. | 1895 |
| 212 Saddler’s Qtrs. | 1887 |
| 213 Teamsters’ Qtrs. | 1892 |
| 214 Wheelwright’s Qtrs. | 1895 |
| 215 Carpenters’ Qtrs | 1909 |
| 218 Hay Shed | 1906 |
| 219 Hay Shed | 1897 |
| 220 Granary | 1895 |
| 221 Granary Addition | 1941 |
| 222 QM Stores | 1900 |
| 223 QM Stores | 1892 |
| 224 Guard House | 1892 |
| 225 Concession (Post-Fort) | |
| 226 Comm. Stores | 1892 |
| 227 Eng. Equip. Shed | 194? |
| 227 Site of Coal Shed | 1896 |
| 228 Blacksmith Shop | 1884 |
| 229 Wheelwright’s Shop | 1884 |
| 230 Ord. Stores | 1899 |
| 231 Lumber Shed | 1942 |
| 232 Oil House | 1900 |
| 233 Concession (Post-Fort) | |
| 234 Bakery | 1906 |
| 235 Meat Market | 1900 |
| 236 Carpenter Shop | 1882 |
| 237 Electric Shop | |
| 238 Saddler & Paint Stables | |
| 239 QM Shop | 1906 & 1931 |
| 240 Paint Storage | 1945 |
| 241 Wagon Shed | 1929 |
| 242 Shop | 1944 |
| 243 Band Barracks | 1886 |
| 244 Implement Shed | 1930 |
| 245 Oil Storage | 1945 |
| 246 Post Garage | 1930 |
| 247 Transportation Stable | 1928 |
| 248 Eng. Off. & Warehouse | 1942-1943 |
| 249 Lumber Sheds | 1942-1943 |
| 250 Coal Apron | 1942 |
| 251 10 Unit Kennels | 1942 |
| 252 80 Unit Kennels | 1942 |
| 253 Office-Canine | |
| 254 School-Canine | |
| 255 Hay Shed 1929 | |
| 256 Saw Mill (Old Pumphouse) | |
| 257 Saw Mill | |
| 258 Vet. Isolation Hosp. | 1928 |
| 259 School & Drilling Shed | 1942 |
| 260 Transformer Sub-Station | 1909 |
| 261 Mess Hall—Canine | |
| 262-264 Barracks-Canine | |
| 302 Water Towers | 1889, 1903 |
| 304 Broodmare & Shipping Stable | 1928 |
| 305 Sale Barn | 1936 |
| 307 Sleeping Qtrs. | |
| 308 Assembly & Mess Hall | 1931 |
| 309 NCO Qtrs | 1902 |
| 310 Pest House | 1901 |
| 311 Hosp. Stwd. Qtrs. | 1910 |