Introduction | General Hazen | New York Times | Colonel Custer
A reporter for the New York Times newspaper traveled up the Missouri in the early spring of 1874. Hazen’s article had already appeared in the New York Tribune; Custer’s response would appear soon in the Minneapolis Tribune. On April 5, the correspondent, who traveled by sleigh on the banks of the still-frozen river commented on the area near Fort Buford. His article appeared in the Times on May 17, 1874.
. . . we reach Fort Buford . . . . The only timber sufficiently large for the sawmill is the cottonwood which makes very inferior lumber or building material. There is some red cedar, elm, and ash, but spare in quantity and poor in quality.
At the confluence of the Yellowstone River with the Missouri, and on the north bank of the latter, Fort Buford is located. . . . The winter here has at least the merit of duration, and is not yet over. Neither the Yellowstone or the Missouri Rivers is yet free of ice, and boats are not expected up until the early part of May. . . . The thermometer at this post, according to the official register, marked 22 [degrees] below zero on the 10th of March. The climate is very healthy for those inured to it. The post is garrisoned by six companies of infantry, commanded by Major Gen. Hazen. . . . This will probably be long occupied as a military post, since the surrounding country offers no inducements to settlers. . . .
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