"US Cav and Infantry organization in 1875??" Topic

I am trying to get an idea of company and regiment strengths during the Great Sioux War. Any help is appreciated.

The companies in the 7th Cavalry on June 25 averaged 66. This is using the information in the back of the 1995 edition of Men With Custer by Ken Hammer. However, going into battle, the companies had about 40, due to detachments with the pack train, and those left behind at Powder River for a variety of reasons.

Examining the rosters in Vaughn's book With Crook at the Rosebud, the five companies of infantry averaged 40 as well.

The 15 cavalry companies on the Rosebud campaign averaged 55.6.

In the case of the figures for the Rosebud, I do not know if these included men not actually present for battle.

For my wargame units I use two platoons of 10 men per company, plus a company commander, trumpeter and orderly.

You asked about regiments. The entire 7th Cavalry was together in the field, all twelve companies. That was not common.

Crook's five infantry companies at the Rosebud were from two different regiments, the 4th and the 9th.

His fifteen cavalry companies were from two different regiments as well, the 2nd and the 3rd.

I hope this helps.

Tom

I guess I should have added that I assume you want 1876 even though the title of your question said 1875.

Tom

Yes, Tom wrong year and all. Really just trying to get a rough idea overall. I am looking at using the rules The Men Who Would be Kings as the author has created some fun lists for the Plains Wars and I want to put on some engaging games once I get all the miniatures painted. Great information and it does give me an idea of what I am looking at. Much appreciated.

I understand there is a Plains Indian supplement on Facebook for those rules. I have not seen it. They sure need it.

A friend ran a game at my place using my figures and terrain with The Men Who Would Be King rules. He did not have the supplement. I have been studying Northern Plains Indians my entire life. Our game had hardly anything in common with reality.

Actually, those rules (at least the way my friend ran them) had no disadvantage to being charged in the flank or rear. Also, no advantage to being the one charging in those situations. I sure hope the supplement does.

Have fun. If the Indians really act the way they did, it is a fun game that is very different from others. The Sioux and Cheyenne were not Zulus, Sudanese, or Pathans.

Tom

Coincidently I read this variant for Plains Wars using Sword and the Flame Yesterday. Has a lot of detail and organisation. It was put out by the Jacksonville Gamers.Gives a breakdown for both sides and some interseting game house rules.

link

See the TMP thread

TMP link

Good find