The Portland daily press., 1873-09-08
Custar's Battle with the Indians.

n new YORK despatch of Saturday says:
The official report of Gen. Custar of the
Tongue River and Big Horn fights is published
IN paper of this city this morning. The main
facts have already been published. The GEN
eral says: The superiority of our enemies in
numbers, the long distance separating us from
the main command and the belief afterwards
verihed) that the woods above concealed por-
ton OF the savage forces, induced me to confine
my movements at first strictly to defensive.
The Indians outnumbered The troops five to
one. Every available officer and man was in
the skirmish lie, which was in reality our bat
tie line.
The Indians displayed unusual boldness, fire.
quently charging up to the line and firing with
great dellberation and accuracy. The fight
began at IL 80 a. M, and was waged without
cessation until o'clock. A charge was or
Gered, when the Indians, Notwithstanding their
superiority in numbers, fed and were driven
pell mel three miles. In their flight the In
dams threw away breechloaders, saddles, equip
ments, clothing, robes, larIats, and other arti-
Giles of Indian outfit
Among the Indians who fought on this occa-
sion were some of the identical warriors who
committed the massacre at Fort Phil Kearney
and they no doubt intended a similar pro-
gramme when they sent six warriors to dash
up and attempt to decoy us into pursuit past
the timber in which the savages hoped to am
bush us. On the Sth we discovered the trail of
a large village, and followed it, taking seven
days rations.
On the 10th we found the Indians had taken
to the river and crossed in the following trail
to this point. 1t was evident that the move
ment of the Indians was one of precpitate
flight, the result of the engagement on the 4th.
All along their trail and in camping places,
were to be found large quantities of what con-
stitutes an Indian equipment, such as lodge
poles, robes, saddle equipments, arms and cook
| ing utensils. In one hastily abandoned camp
| ground, nearly 200 axes, besides great many
camp kettles and cups, were found.
My entire command was disappointed when
| the trail showed that the Indians had crossed
| over, so that one more march would have en-
| ahled us to overhaul Them After several I'M
| successful attempts to cross the river the I'M
| dertakng was abandoned, the Indians discov-
| ering our pursuit and again fleeing. The In
| dians finally returned and attacked us in three
| divisions, recrossing the river.
| The Indians displayed a strong force on our
front and on the bluffs; observing our small
force they became very bold, when our force as.
sumed the offensive Everything being in rea-
| diDess the charge was ordered and the squadron
! took gallop to the tune of Garry Owen the
! band being posted Immediately in the rear of
the skirmsh line.
| The Indians turned their ponies heads and
began disorderly retreat. The cavalry put
| spurs to their horses and dashed forward in
| pursuit. The main command then came in
| signt and we were enabled to send another
force to join in the pur~uit.
| The Indians were prevented from recrossing
| the river, and were completely dispersed and
driven nine miles. The number of Indians is
| estimated at eight hundred to thousand The
troop numbered four hundred and fifty officers
and men,"