On this date in 1876, the steamer Far West returned with the first news of Custer and his 7th Cavalry’s expected encounter with “the Indians.” Up until that point, no one knew that The Battle of the Little Big Horn had been fought earlier on June 25th. Everyone was anxiously awaiting word about the Custer Expedition.

The Far West was commanded and piloted by Captain Grant Marsh of Yankton. His orders, following the battle were to “reach Bismarck as soon a possible”. On the evening of July 3rd, Captain Marsh was under a full head of steam from the mouth of the Little Big Horn River in present day Montana.

Wounded soldiers from the battle had been carried on board and a Dr. Porter was detailed to attend them. General Terry’s adjutant general, Colonel Ed Smith was also along with official dispatches from the battle as well as many other messages.

During the days preceding the ship’s arrival however, a sense of uneasiness loomed within the walls of Ft. Lincoln, Custer’s embarkation point. An expected courier who would bring news of the expedition had not yet arrived. The city of Bismarck also shared in the collective anxiety.

The last report anyone had, was from Mark Kellogg, a correspondent on the Custer Expedition. He had reported earlier to the Bismarck Tribune that “We leave the Rosebud tomorrow and by the time this reaches you we will have met and fought the red devils, with what result remains to be seen. I go with Custer and will be at his death.” Kellogg’s prophesy proved to be amazingly accurate.

At approximately11pm on the evening of July 5, 1876, the Far West finally docked along the Missouri River in Bismarck. She had traveled some 700 miles in just fifty-four hours. Doctor Porter and Colonel Smith ran from the steamer, calling upon Mr. J.M. Carnahan, the telegraph operator. Mr. Carnahan was to spend the next twenty-two hours dispatching news of the disaster. The news they brought to the world, was that Custer had been killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn, along with fourteen other officers, 237 enlisted men and other civilians and Indian scouts.

Mark Kellogg’s earlier report did, in the end, prove amazingly true.

Lounsberry, Colonel Clement A., “Early History of North Dakota; Essential Outlines of American History”, Washington, D.C., Liberty Press, 76 New York Avenue, N.E., 1919, pg. 316-318.

Written by Dave Seifert

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