Near Rosebud in Rosebud County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Grave of Unknown Man
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 18, 2021
1. Grave of Unknown Man Marker
In 1886, ranchers buried near here what many believe to be the remains of Private Nathan Short, Co. C, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Short was believed to be carrying a message from General Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, 70 miles S.W, of this point on June 25, 1876.
The 7th Cavalry Regiment Association and the 1st Cavalry Division Association in cooperation with local residents, 1983
Erected 1983 by 7th Cavalry Regiment Association and 1st Cavalry Division Association.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is June 25, 1876.
Location. 46° 10.907′ N, 106° 29.028′ W. Memorial is near Rosebud, Montana, in Rosebud County. It is on Rosebud Creek Road (County Road 447) 4 miles south of Interstate 94, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Rosebud MT 59347, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country and in the Powder River Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West, in
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Custer Campsite - June 22, 1876 (approx. 3˝ miles away); Scouting South of the Yellowstone (approx. 6.6 miles away); The Seventh Passes in Review (approx. 6.7 miles away); Ready to March (approx. 6.8 miles away); Rosebud Creek (approx. 6.8 miles away); St. Philip's Episcopal Church (approx. 6.8 miles away); Join the Voyage of Discovery (approx. 10.4 miles away); The Hell Creek Formation (approx. 10.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosebud.
More about this memorial. Correcting the transcription of the marker, indicating that the Battle of Little Bighorn is 70, not 7, miles SW of this point.
Also see . . . Desperate Flight From the Little Bighorn -- HistoryNet. ...soldiers made anecdotal mention of Short’s remains. “Heard of Nathan Short,” recalled C Company Private Peter Thompson, who survived because “horse trouble” kept him from following Custer into battle. “He got good distance toward Rosebud.…Had initials on cartridge belt.”
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 18, 2021
2. Grave of Unknown Man Marker
Additional keywords. Custer
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 18, 2021
3. Grave of Unknown Man Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,578 times since then and 204 times this year. Last updated on October 8, 2026, by Jeff Barnes of Omaha, Nebraska. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 29, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
