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CAMP AT HIDDENWOOD CREEK. With over 1000 men, 1900 horses and mules, 300 beef cattle, and 110 covered wagons, this camp at Hiddenwood Creek covered a sizable area. Illingworth photo, courtesy of the National Archives.
43,000 square miles had been set aside as a reservation for the Sioux Indians through the Treaty of 1868. It had been skirted by various expeditions but none had entered it. Though various reports of daring frontiersmen told of its abundance of game, timber, water, and even evidence of gold, none had lingered and explored this mysterious area.
Bounded as it was by mountains covered with dark green fir trees that made the hills appear black and gave the area its name, it was regarded by the Sioux as a religious sanctuary or asvlum and their game reserve. The story had been circulated on the
frontier that few white men had penetrated its outer rim and lived to tell of it.
Observing that the Sioux were becoming more warlike, and that since civilization bordered the Black Ilills, and it could become a ready refuge for the Indians in time of war, Sheridan thought it timely to gain positive information as to its resources and topography by sending an expedition there.
On June 8, 1874, General Terry, commander of the Department of Dakota, sent orders to Custer, to prepare an expeditionary party for the purpose