Winfield Scott Edgerly 27, 1875. From May to September 1876, the 7th Cavalry, including Edgerly, participated in the Sioux Expedition. Edgerly was promoted to first lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry effective June 25, 1876. The regiment was engaged in the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 26–27, 1876. Edgerly was the second in command of Company D, serving under Captain Thomas Weir; Company D was assigned to Captain Frederick Benteen's Battalion. Prior to the battle, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was discussing upcoming events with his junior officers; Edgerly expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of success; Custer replied that success depended on
Great Sioux War of 1876 staff and the Dakota Column infantry, reached the area and rescued the US survivors of the Reno-Benteen fight. Gibbon then headed his forces to the east, chasing trails but unable to engage the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in battle. Reinforced with the Fifth Cavalry, General Crook took to the field. Hooking up briefly with General Terry, he soon moved out on his own but did not find a large village. Running short on supplies, his column turned south and made what became called the Horsemeat March toward mining settlements to find food. On September 9, 1876, an advance company from