Echoes of the Frontier:
The Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition
While you relax and take in the stunning views, it's easy to feel a sense of timelessness in the rugged beauty of the surrounding mountains and open valleys. This land, like much of the northern Rockies, has a rich history shaped by Indigenous peoples, explorers, trappers, and soldiers who navigated its wild landscapes long before modern roads and ski resorts arrived.
I stumbled upon this map at an antique show in northern Utah while searching for unique pieces to add character to our home in Driggs. It was tucked away in a rickety old frame with plexiglass and scotch tape, and as I sat at the booth reading its details for twenty minutes, I was in awe. The depth of information on the Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition of 1876 was unlike anything I had seen before, and I immediately knew it had to have a place in our home—especially given the proximity of these historic events to where we live and explore.
The Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition, led by General George Crook and the 5th U.S. Cavalry, took place in the wake of Custer’s defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Their mission was to track and engage Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors resisting U.S. expansion. The expedition traversed the Powder River Basin, the Tongue River, and Yellowstone country—territories that hold deep connections for both my husband and me. My husband is from southeastern Wyoming, where much of this history unfolded, and we have spent countless hours traveling these lands. I grew up in Saskatchewan, and naturally, between there and Wyoming is where so much of this story played out—in landscapes we've driven through time and time again.
Although Driggs, Idaho, sits west of the primary events of this campaign, the region shares a deep connection to this chapter of history. The Shoshone, Bannock, and other Indigenous nations roamed the Teton Valley and surrounding ranges, using the same rugged terrain that later explorers, fur trappers, and cavalry units would navigate. The same spirit of adventure, survival, and adaptation that defined the Big Horn Expedition also shaped the Teton region’s past.
As you explore the mountains, trails, and rivers around Teton Peaks Getaway, you are walking in the footsteps of those who came before—Indigenous tribes, mountain men, and soldiers who shaped the history of the American West. Whether you're skiing, hiking, or simply enjoying the view, take a moment to reflect on the resilience and determination of those who once traveled these untamed landscapes.
Full Transcription of the Map Text
Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition (1876) - March Log
Under BRIG. GEN. GEORGE CROOK
Together with Side Scouts and Interception of the Southern Cheyennes
By the 5th U.S. CAVALRY
Under COLONEL WESLEY MERRITT
In preparation of this data and in entering it on the Raynolds map of 1859-60, valuable assistance has been given by Capt. Richard L. Jones, Adjt. 120th F.A. Wis. N.G., under the supervision of Col. A. A. Kuechenmeister, Commd’g 120th F.A. Wis. N.G.
Notes and Topographical sketches of Lt. Charles King, Adjt. 5th U.S. Cav.
Eight Troops, 5th Cavalry, were moved by rail in June from Kansas to Cheyenne, marching onward to Fort Laramie. On June 22, under Lt. Col. Wm. Royall, they set out to locate the hostile Sioux and Northern Cheyenne forces somewhere between the Big Horn Mountains and the Yellowstone River.
June - July 1876
June 25 – The command crossed the South Cheyenne and Mini Pusa (Dry Fork or Dry Water) northwestward toward Pumpkin Butte.
July 1 – Col. Wesley Merritt arrived, assuming command.
July 1-4 – Troop "K" pursued Indian parties from morning until evening.
July 5 – The command regrouped at Sage Creek.
July 6 – Camped near Infantry Stockade, head of Sage Creek.
July 7 – News of Custer’s defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn reached the troops.
July 9 – Awaiting orders.
July 10 – Message received from Camp Robinson: “Southern Cheyennes preparing to take the warpath.”
July 11 – Orders received: March to Fort Laramie to resupply before continuing pursuit.
July 12 – March to Niobrara in a violent hailstorm.
July 16 – Marched 80 miles in 31 hours, reaching Sage Creek Stockade.
July 17 – Skirmish with Indians; two killed, others driven back to Red Cloud Reservation.
July 18 – Troop “C” rejoined. Command marched for Fort Laramie, arriving July 21.
July - August 1876
July 23 – Eight troops and a wagon train marched for Fort Fetterman.
July 26 – Marched northwestward.
July 29 – Bivouacked on North Fork Mini Pusa.
Aug. 1 – Marched to Clear Fork, Powder River.
Aug. 3 – Reached General Crook’s camp at Goose Creek.
Aug. 4 – Entire force of 2,200 prepared for action.
Aug. 5 – Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition officially began:
4 troops 2nd Cavalry
Entire 3rd Cavalry
10 troops 5th Cavalry
Infantry regiment
Crow and Shoshone scouts joined the march.
Aug. 6 – Marched 22 miles along the Tongue River, fording 13 times.
Aug. 7-8 – Followed heavy Indian trails toward the Rosebud.
Aug. 10 – Met General Terry’s command; troops’ horses stampeded.
Aug. 17 – Reached Powder River near Yellowstone River.
Aug. 19-28 – Marched east through the Missouri Basin.
September 1876 - Battle of Slim Buttes
Sept. 7-9 – Rushed south to relieve Maj. Anson Mills, who was surrounded by Sioux at Slim Buttes.
Battle ensued at 5 p.m.; Sioux repelled with small losses to U.S. forces.
Indian village captured; 10 prisoners taken.
Sept. 10 – Marched, leaving a rear guard to destroy the village.
Major Upham’s command was attacked but held firm.
Sept. 11 – March resumed through the Badlands; men and horses weak from hunger.
Sept. 13 – Reached North Fork of the Cheyenne River.
Camped at White Wood Creek; food obtained from Deadwood.
October 1876 - End of the Expedition
Oct. 13-23 – The 5th Cavalry recuperated in the Black Hills.
Oct. 24 – The campaign officially ended.
Also
Sites of certain Indian Combats from 1854 to 1890, from data given by the late Walter M. Camp and approximately located on the map by Brigadier General William C. Brown, U.S.A., Ret.
Some years ago, the attention of the undersigned was brought to this map as being remarkable in the amount of detail shown, considering the early dates in which it was made. In the middle of the area covered by it have been fought some of the most desperate of our conflicts with the Red Man. Most of these were between U.S. troops and Indians, but the map also covers the ground traversed by the Connor-Cole Powder River Indian Expedition of 1865, on which September 1-10, 1865, five engagements were fought on Powder River in Montana. Also, the Bozeman Expedition of 1874, a remarkable Indian fighting organization composed of civilians and fitted out and commanded in true military style with a strength of 149 picked men and 29 wagons, officered by a Captain, Lieutenant, and Adjutant. Its personnel was comprised of scouts, hunters, trappers, mining prospectors, and ex-soldiers of the Civil War and Regular Army. Every man had seen hard service in the West, and among them were some remarkable riflemen equipped with the latest pattern of long-range rifles. They had two field pieces, which were frequently very effective against Indians. Their camps were fortified with rifle pits, and the wagons at night grouped in the form of a defensive corral.
This map is useful in general as covering the main theater of war with the Sioux, Cheyennes, and other tribes in the 1860s and 1870s, and shows the physical features as then known. Also, it has shown on it the approximate location of over 30 Indian engagements, located personally by the late Walter M. Camp, Editor of the Railway Review and Honorary Member of the Order of Indian Wars, whose voluminous notes, made as the result of twenty summers of investigation, we are trying to secure for Public Use.
The present-day maps of this section of the West are almost valueless for tracing the movement of various expeditions, troops, etc. during the period in question, and it is hoped that it will prove useful to historical societies and to persons engaged in historical research and work concerning this interesting section of the West.
In connection with the approximate locations of sites of Indian engagements, it should be explained that while considerable time and effort have been spent in making these locations, they are known in many cases to be far from correct.
It is hoped, therefore, that those in whose hands this map may fall will examine these locations, and where errors are found, report them to the undersigned for use should a second edition of the map be issued.
The difficulties attending the making of these locations have been due not only to inaccuracies of the map itself but also to the fact that the names of many physical features, such as streams, have at some time in the past 70 years been changed, greatly adding to the difficulty of tracing the movement of troops.