Forsyth in Rosebud County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Railroad Survey of 1873
Colonel David S. Stanley's 1873 command was large - 18 companies of infantry, 275 wagons, 3 artillery pieces, along with 10 companies of Lt. Colonel Custer's Seventh Cavalry, all leaving a significant trail as the column passed up the valley. Portions of today's roads on the north side are built over Colonel Stanley's route.
A couple of weeks into the march, Colonel Stanley began to have difficulties with the headstrong Custer, something he anticipated given Custer's reputation. Eventually, an angry confrontation occurred leading to disciplinary action with Custer ordered to the rear of the command. Stanley's authority was compromised by his bouts of binge drinking, something that Custer, a teetotaler (sic), had a history of using against rivals. Even though the issues between the two officers were relatively minor, some officers recognized that Stanley's drunkenness contributed to the problems so they disposed of the liquor supply. Stanley backed off his punishment about a day later and there were no further incidents.
There were also two skirmishes with the Lakota during the summer of 1873. Even though both fights were minor, the tactics of the Lakota led Custer and most in the officer corps to believe that the enemy would scatter at any show of strength by the military, an assumption with fatal consequences three years later.
Railroad construction stopped for almost a decade when the stock market crashed leading to the Panic of 1873. A decade later, with the economy recovered and the Indian treat over, the Northern Pacific built it's line - south of the Yellowstone River.
Erected by Custer Circle Project 2017 and Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 46° 15.673′ N, 106° 40.978′ W. Marker is in Forsyth, Montana, in Rosebud County. Marker is on Front Street near South 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located in Marcyes Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Forsyth MT 59327, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hiram Marcyes Park (here, next to this marker); Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Forsyth, MT (approx. 0.2 miles away); Claude O. Marcyes House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Forsyth, MT (approx. 0.3 miles away); Commercial Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Forsyth, MT (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kennedy-Fletcher Block (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forsyth.
Additional keywords. Custer
Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.