This request I was obliged to refuse, as I wanted it as a trophy of the first expedition to avenge the death of Custer and his men.
The next morning we started to join the command of General Crook, which was encamped at the foot of Cloud Peak in the Big Horn Mountains.

They had decided to await the arrival of the Fifth Cavalry before proceeding against the Sioux, who were somewhere near the head of the Big Horn River, in a country that was as nearly inaccessible as any of the Western fastnesses.

By making rapid marches we reached Crook's camp on Goose Creek about the third of August.
At this camp I met many of my old friends, among them being Colonel Royal, who had just received his promotion to a lieutenant-colonelcy.
Royal introduced me to General Crook, whom I had never met before, but with whose reputation as an Indian fighter I was of course familiar, as was everybody in the West.

The general's chief guide was Frank Grouard, a half-breed, who had lived six years with Sitting Bull himself, and who was thoroughly familiar with the Sioux and their country.
After one day in camp the whole command pulled out for Tongue River, leaving the wagons behind.

Our supplies were carried by a big pack-train.