Camp J.G. Sturgis Historical Marker Dedication

 In July 1955, a group of descendants of 7th Cavalry troopers, along with some others, met at the site of the former Camp J.G. Sturgis, to dedicate a historical marker along the new Highway 79. The relocation of the highway made accessibility to the site easier than it had been previously.

Camp J.G. Sturgis was established July 1, 1878, in the shadow of Bear Butte. It was named for Lieutenant Jack Sturgis, who was killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in June 1876. His body was never identified.

A marker was erected in 1955 to commemorate the site. Descendants of Little Big Horn veterans gathered at the site of the marker on July 28, 1955.

Three daughters of trooper John Hammon were in attendance, as well as the son of trooper Benjamin Wells. 

Both Hammon and Wells were members of Company G and were assigned to Major Reno. Hammon survived the battle and went on to become a well-known and respected resident of Sturgis. He died in 1909 and is buried in Bear Butte Cemetery. Benjamin Wells was killed in the valley fight at the Little Big Horn. It is presumed that his remains are buried in the mass grave atop Last Stand Hill at the battlefield.

Rapid City Journal, Friday, July 29, 1955

The site as it looks today.

The text on the historical marker for Camp J.G. Sturgis.

The marker for Camp J.G. Sturgis is located at 44° 29.319′ N, 103° 26.844′ W. It is on the east side of Highway 79, just north of Sturgis, South Dakota.