16 Facts About Fred Gerard

Fredric Frances Gerard was an American frontiersman, army scout, and civilian interpreter for George Armstrong Custer's 7th US Cavalry during the Little Bighorn Campaign.

Fred Gerard was born in St Louis on November 14,1829, to Francois and Catherine Gerard.

Fred Gerard later traveled farther up the Missouri River to Fort Clark, where he learned to speak Arikara.

Fred Gerard eventually gave up the fur trade attempted to start a ranch west of Bismarck, North Dakota, across the Missouri River.

Fred Gerard staked out a claim but, when the Northern Pacific Railroad determined its route, the land was properly claimed by the company.

Fred Gerard worked as an interpreter because he could speak multiple languages: English, French, Sioux, Arikara, and Chippewa.

Fred Gerard was hired by Lieutenant Colonel Custer to serve at Fort Abraham Lincoln as an interpreter for his Arikara "Ree" scouts, as he was very familiar with the language from his years as a trader.

Fred Gerard had lived in Indian country for 31 years at the time and had been involved in several battles.

About dawn on the morning of June 25,1876, Fred Gerard accompanied Custer and the scouts to a high bluff known as the "Crow's Nest" to view the Little Bighorn River valley below.

Not long afterwards, Fred Gerard rode to a small knoll and saw 40 Indians riding off at the gallop.

When Reno retreated to the bluffs from the timber, Fred Gerard was one of about a dozen men left behind.

Fred Gerard served as Dr Henry Porter's surgical assistant on Reno Hill.

Fred Gerard survived the battle and later testified before the Reno Court of Inquiry.

In 1890, the Gerard family moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where Fred worked in advertising for the Philsbury Baking Company.

Fred Gerard died in St Cloud, Minnesota on January 30,1913, less than a year later after being interviewed.

Fred Gerard's name was Helena Catherine, and together they had three daughters: Josephine, Carrie, and Virginia.