Mighty Fine Shootin'

When Custer and the rest of the 7th U.S. Cavalry came to Dakota Territory in 1873, they spent some time in Yankton, before moving north to Forts Abraham Lincoln and Rice. They were delayed by a spring blizzard, which caused hardship among the men, including cases of frostbite and amputations.

The 7th Cavalry ended up spending several weeks in Yankton. That time allowed them to explore the town and get to know the townspeople. One of those was the local bandleader, Felix Vinatieri. Custer was so impressed with Vinatieri that he invited him to join the cavalry as their chief musician. Vinatieri did join the 7th and ended up participating in the 1873 Yellowstone Expedition, the Black Hills Expedition in 1874, and the Sioux Campaign of 1876. He and the rest of the musicians remained at the Powder River Depot during the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

There were dinners, balls, and other activities held in honor of the soldiers. On April 30, 1873, the Yankton Press reported on a bird shooting match between a General McCook from Yankton and Captain Thomas French of the 7th Cavalry. General Custer served as referee.

Although the newspaper snippet states that McCook lost the match, it appears to me that it was a tie.

Yankton Press, April 30, 1873