The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1873-1875, 1873-09-24

NY I!au ot h'peSuI'plio fVn sP"Hel ~
porters "
Con. Custer.-Oh, of course; but so
long as it is duty, Of course it is all
right. Lam pretty busy to-day, SO soon
after reaching camp. but any informa-
tion may bo able to give you will be
given with pleasure.
Reporter. you will be kind enough,
then, General, you may give to ME any
items Of interest in connection with
your trip which youmay dean of inter-
est to the public. -.....
Gen. Custer then proceeded 1--WE shall
not attempt to follow his language) to
suggest that the advance of the expedi-
tion to the Muscleshcll was probably pref
ty thoroughly written up already. The
only item of interest, indeed, to the
general reader, was the battle with the
Indians under Sitting Bull. This was
of course also understood, as Gen. Stan
ley's report covered the details. At the
time the attack was made the command
was at halt, the General and his staff
resting in the shado Of a tree, the
former with his boots off. The first
general notice Of the presence of the
Indians consisted of yolley from the
foe, which had rather a tenGancy to
wake things up. The men and horses
we're scattered around somewhat pro-
miscuousIy, but very short period of
time suf1icea to rally them and the line
was at once formed After short
skirmish the enemy were driven
across the Yellowstone, and the rest is
known After the battle Stanley's
march was resumed to the head of the
Great Porcupine, which was to he the
turning point Of the expedition. The
Indians were evidently we'll punished,
as not single top.knot wassscen after
ward
After reaching ,Ilc head Of the Great
Porcupine, the return march was at
once commenced, and the cavalry soon
lost sight Of Gen. Stanley and the in
lantry. The march through from this
point to the mouth Of Glcndivc Creek,
| where the crossing Of the Yellowstone,
! was to be made, was without incident
| Of note or difficulty. Good camping
| grounds, with plenty Of grazing and
| good water were found the whole dis
tance Game was plenty, antelope, black
! tail deer and tho feathcrcd tribe be-
! ing ia abundance. Reached the iei-
on Sept. 9th, marching at the
rate of 90 miles per day. Upon arrival
at the Glendive. the command cncamrcd
and an cscor; witt, supplies were sent
back to meet the infantry. Five days
thereafter the infantry arrived, and on
the same day the steamer Josephine.
| The Josephine at once proceeded to
cross the expedition, and II take on
board the sth and 9th Infantry, which
she will carry through to their dest'na'
| ton and winter quarters at Omaha.
! Here Custer again left Stanley rear
wards, and resumed his march for Fort
Lincoln. Leaving the old surveyed
route, the one passed over on the out
ward march, the command took more
direct course, avoiding part Of the Bad
Lands, and finding fine streams Of clear
running water, better grazing and
good road clear through, Gen. Stanley,
| with his infantry and the main wagon
train, are expected to arrive here in a
day or two. 1t is generally understood
that the infantry command not other
wise assigned will winter at Fort Rice.
Tho General state, that himself and
his command enjoyed exceedingly
good health during the time they were
out. The trip in from ttlendIvc was
made in the remarkable short time Of
eight days, the last days march h''h 8
forty miles.
Lieut.. Darden, who was So seriously
wounded in the fight with Sitting Ball
and. who was reported as past hope, is
now on the Josephine, and the General
says recovering fast.
Custer gives as his, theory of the
horse found by Carhoof the following ::
Three soldiers Of his command deserted
taking with them three horses. On the
march back the trail Of the dcsertcrs
: was discovered, and itappears from it
that ono of them was without n horse,
which had evidently escaped while gra-
zing, or something Of the sort. Our
readers may draw their own conclusions.
The General brings in with him a
Young menagerie, which he proposes
sending to Central Park, New York.
This "magnificent aggregation, as
Barnum would say, consists in part OF
wild cats (robert- tailed) porcupincs, an
.elope horns, petrified wood and more
wild cats (also bob taileo).
The men and animals all show ser
vice, and are doubtless prepared to ap-
!, preciate the rest in store for them; and
who will say they have not earned it.
- ONE DAY LATER. :r ..
t General Stanley with his infantry