Archaeological Survey Report For The Steamboat Far West

Posted July 30, 2019

On June 27, 1876 Benteen led his company from the hilltop where they fought off the Indians two days previous, across Weir Point and down toward Medicine Tail Coulee. He was following Custer’s trail north to where it ended. There, he rode over the battlefield to investigate the carnage. The official burial detail would commence the following day. Burials were not as important as the wounded suffering along the river below.

The accounting of the dead occurred all day of the 28th followed by makeshift burials, while preparation of the wounded commenced for transport. Their target was the junction of the Bighorn River where the steamboat Far West waited.

The Far West’s contribution to the story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn is pivotal. Besides its necessary support in transporting goods and people, it became a hospital for the surviving wounded of the battle as Captain Grant Marsh pushed the Far West downriver toward Fort Abraham Lincoln. The boat arrived at Ft. Lincoln the morning of July 5. Marsh performed an astonishing task covering over 700 miles of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers in 54 hours. Marsh’s accomplishment was a Missouri River speed record still unbroken today.

The Far West served for many years afterward as a transport for goods and people until October 20, 1883 when it sank in five feet of water near an island on the Missouri River.

Retired NPS archaeologists Douglas Scott has dreamt of someday finding the resting place of the Far West. We know Dr. Scott well for he was lead investigator for the archaeological surveys conducted at Little Bighorn. He led two surveys in search of the Far West, the most recent during the summer of 2018. He might have found the Far West, but further on-site studies are required to confirm.

Here, we present Dr. Scott’s report on his search for the Far West to date. Thank you to Dr. Scott for sharing this important study with Friends’ members.
 

Read Dr. Scott's Report "The Fate of the Far West"

Other Areas Of Interest

Dust to Dust: Interment of the Custer Dead

Become a member of  Friends

 (Back to Top)