Connecticut western news., 1876-07-21
THE INDIAN WAR.
Incidents of fhe Terrible Fight Betwee
 the Sioux and the Troops.

Incidents of tho Terrible Fight Between
 the Sioux and the Troops.
 A New York Herald correspondent with the army at the West, ill telling the story of the fatal battle, says: Reno, who had the largest force, was expected to make the charge at the head of the village, Custer taking the flying savages in the flank or doubling them back on Reno. Reno crossed the Little Horn and charged down the valley about mile and 8 half, following what seemed to be the flying Indians.
 Certainly they were in dead run, but all at once turned and charged the ad- vancing soldiers. Reno halted his con- mand and engaged the Indians. The fire was terrific, and reminded those present at that engagement of the Will derness. Reno says he never heard firing more terrific. In a moment his command was completely surrounded with the bowling savages on every sido, firing at short range Charley Key holds, the well kcown scout, afterward killed, exclaimed:
 We are gone up. There is no hope for us"
 Evidently Reno was of the same opinion. He ordered the men to mount, and leading the way they cut for the ford. Porter's attention was attracted by dying man belonging to Captain French's company, who was shot through the heart. The cavalry was flying, pur- sued on every hand by the Indians. Porter sprung to his horse, and throw ing his arms around it's neck he goaded | | r1 l. Indians in their chase for scalps. Pass ing and being passed by fleeing cavalry men they reached the ford with little loss. Poor Mcintosh, mounted on a horse which had been wounded, was plugged with pistol shots while lying at the feet of his murderers. In this state of confusion the three companies reached the ford, narrow pass, into which men and horses were crammed and jammed, with the Indians firing into them at short range from the front, flank and rear. While in the river Lieutenant Hodgson was wounded and his horse killed. He received another shot just as he reached the bank and tumbled back into the river dead.
 The ford being passed, wild scramble commenced to reach the bluff beyond The side of the bluff was so steep that men were compelled to cling to the neckt of their animals to prevent sliding from their backs. Colonel Smith declares the incline to be the steepest he ever saw as cended by horse or mule. Though the Indians were yelling on every hand, fir ing into the retreating force at short range, they gained the summit, and just as they reached it, eight men, shot on the way up, fell from their horses.
 Lieutenant Mathew at once set about building 8 barricade for hospital Dead animals and dead men were usec for this purpose as we'll as the store. from the backs of the pack mules Those who fell ill the retreat were placed under Dr. Porter's charge, anG the number rapidly increased. De Vol was killed just as he reached the sum init, and Porter was left alone with nc help until Girard escaped from tht thicket, when with his assistance two amputations were performed.
 The suffering of the wounded for wa ter, and the repeated charges made b. the Indians, their sudden departure and the horrors of the field where lay Custer and his men, have been described
 A NARROW ESCAPE.
 Fred. Girard, a newspaper correspon dent, was cut off at the ford, and lay al night in the thicket, with the Indian passing sometimes within ten feet o him. It seemed certain he could not es cape. Every moment he expected to b. his last. Derindo was with him. The, remained quietly until troop of mel came, one of whom was dressed like Ton Custer. He had full suit of buckskin broad brimmed hat, and fowin. necktie-probably Toms suit-and be ing sure it was him Derindo called out |:
 "For Gods sake, Tom, don't leav us here!"
 They were answered in Sioux an, with volley. Girard shifted his per dropping into it found new hidinj place, and reached camp in an hour o two after Girard. During the night fol lowing Derindo was pursued into tn thickets, but lot of beavers at wor there jumped iuto the river about thi time, and their splashing diverted al tention from him and saved his life.
 GRIEF OF GROW SCOUT.
 Curley, the Crow scout, would nc trust himself to speak for three day after the fight, except when he told hi story at the steamboat, but would si arour d dejected and apparently in dee thought, humming Crow tune an throwing up his right hand, displaye two fingers and said:
 "We got two ponies heap Sioux much heap Sioux white man all dead we got two ponies.
 Humming moment he again said:
 "White man all dead we got tw ponies."
 It was then he told the story relate, iu former dispatches. Colonel Shit informs me the map of the battlefiel as drawn by Curley at the steambos is absolutely correct. No engineer coul improve it in any of it's details.
 BUSTERS JOY.
 An officer informed Herald core. pendent that when Custer came in sigl of the 1,800 lodges, village of upwar ]: of 1000 Indians, he swung his hat an said:
 "Hurrah Custer's luck The bigge. Indian village on the American cont , nent!"
 Editing here only for coffee, he pushe forward at rapid gait; took five con panies for his personal command gay Reno three and left four in reser, ,, under Benteen and sailed ill. D Porter believes the result would ha1 been the same had Custer charged vii