Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-06
KILOGRAMS TO THE STAR
This .grermoon's Dispatches.
Associated Press Reports.
Gen. Clusters Fight with the Indians.

HIS OFFICIAL REPORT or THE ENGAGEMENTS
AT Tongue RIVER AND BIG HORN.
INV YORK, Sept 5-The official report OF
Gen. Custer of the Tongue river and b : Horn
fights is published here this morning. Inc first
light occurred on the ith Of August. Tbt Gem
eTsl says;."The superiority OF our enemies in
number, the long distance separating US from
the main command, and the belief, afterwards
verified, that the woods above concealed a pOr-
ton OF the savage forces, induced me 10 confue
my movements at first strictly TO the defensive.
The Indians outnumbered our troops i've TO
one. Every available officer and man was In
the sklImish line, which was in reality our bat
tie line The Indians displayed unusual bold
ness, frequently charging up the line and firing
with great elaboration and ACCURACY. The
night began at ll:3O a. m, and was waged with
out cessation until O'Clock. Finally a charge
was ordered, when the Indians, notwi thstand-
ing their superiority in numbers, fled, and were
driven pei NEIL three mites. In their fiight the
Indians threw away breech-loaders, So Idle
equipments, clothes, lariats, and articles of In
dian outfit. So far as the troops attacked were
concerned, the Indians, to offset their own
heavy losses, had been able TO do us no damage
except wound one man and two horses; but
unfortunately, two nom combatants, Veterinary
Surgeon John Hsnsinger, of the eth cavalry,
in endeIvoIing to come from Il main
command to join the SQUADRON in ad-
vance, were discovered by the Indians
during the attack, and, being unarmed, were
overtaken and killed almost within view of the
battle ground. The battle of Big Horn took
place on the 18th of August, when Indians APP
site to where Clusters command was encamped,
and opened brisk fire, bodies of savages at the
same time crossing above and below the troops.
sist all attacks, and when everything was in
readiness for a general advance a charge was
ordered, and the squadron took the gallop TO the
tune OF "Garry Owen" The Indians had evil
IDENTIFY come out prepared to do their best, and
with no misgivings as to their success, as the
mounds and high bluffs beyond the river were
covered with groups of squaws, old men and
children, who had collected there to witnessOu
destruction. In this instance the pro-
verbal power of music TO soothe the saw
age breast utterly failed, for no sooner
did the band strike up the cherry notes of Gar
70 Owen" and the squadrons advance TO charge
than the Indians exhibited unmistakable signs
of commotion, and then resistance became more
feeble, until finally, satisfied of the earnestness
of our attack, they turned their ponies heads
and began a disordeTy flight. The chase was
continued with the utmostvigor until the Indians
were completely dispersed and driven a distance
of nine miles from where the engagement took
place, and they were forced back across the
Yellowstone. The last pony killed in the fight
was shot fully eight miles from the point of at
tack. The number of Indians opposed to us has
been estimated by various officers engaged at
from 500 to 900. My command numbered 4JG
officers and men. Our losses were one officer
badly wounded, four men killed and three
worndcd, four horses killed ana four wounded
careful investigation iustifes the statement
that, including both days battle, the Indians
losses will number forty warriors, while their
wounded on the opposite bank OF the river may
increase this number.