Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-07-15
one after another, these last survivors
of Clusters FIVE companies had met their
death.
ANNlHILAr1oS or THE COMMAND.

thrown themselves across the path OF
the advancing enemy and had been an
initiated. Not man has escaped to
tell the tale, but it was inscribed on the
surface of the barren hills in language
more eloquent than words. Two hun
dred and sixty.one bodies have been
buried from Clusters and Reno's COM
mands. The last one found was that
of Mr.. Kellogg, correspondent of the
Bismarck Tribune, and also, / believe,
the New York Herald.
BODIES RECOGNIZED.
The following are the names of the
officers whose remains are recognized
General Custer, Colonel Keagh, Colo
mel Yates, Colonel Custer, Colonel
Cooke, Capt. Smith, Lieut.. Mcintosh,
Lieut. Calhoun, Lieut.. Hodgeson and
Lieut. Reilly. All of these belonged
to the Seventh cavalry. Lieut.. Critten-
den, of the Twentieth infantry was SER
wing temporarily with the regiment.
Lieutenants Porter, Sturgis and Har-
rington, and Assistant Surgeon Lord
are reported missing, as their remains
were not recognized, but there is small
ground to hope that any Of them sur
vived, as it is obvious that the troops
were completely surrounded by force
of ten times their number.
RENo's OPERATIONS.
The history Of Reno's operations
comprises all that is now known of this
sanguiuary affair 1t seems that Custer,
with eight companies, reached the river
in the forenoon of the 25th, having
marched continuously all the previous
day and night. Seeing the upper or
southern extremity of the village, and
probably Understanding its extent,
he ordered Reno to ford the river and
charge the villages with three compa-
nies, while he with five companies NOV
ed down the right bank and behind the
bluff, made a similar attack at the other
end. Reno made his charge, but find
ing that he was dealing with force
many times his own numbers, dismount-
ed his men and sought shelter in the
timber which fringed the river bank.
The position appearing 10 him untens,
BILE he remounted and cut his way TO
the river ford under murderous fire
and gained the bluff, where he was sub
sequently found. Here he was after
wards joined by Col. Bentesn, with
three companies, which had just reached
the field, and by Captain McDougall,
with his company and the pack mules.
The position was Immediately after
wards
COMPLETELY INVESTED BY INDIANS,
who for more than twenty-four hours
allowed the garrison no rest, and intilc-
ted severe loss. But for the timely ar
rival of relief the command would nave
been cut off to man. The number
saved with Reno was $50, including 81
wounded.
LOSS OF THE INDIANS.
The loss among the Indians was
probably considerable, as bodies have
been found in every direction, and they
left behind only small portion Of their
dead. We remained nearly two days
on the scene of this disaster to bury
dead aud prepare for transporting the
wounded to a place of safety. The
neighboring country was still full of
scattering bands Of Indians watching
our movement, and doubtless prepared
to take advantage of any want Of vigil
ance to add to the number Of their vic
tins.
REMOVAL OF TIE WOUNDED.
a species of rude horse litter was
constructed of poles and strips of hide,
and on these the disabled were carried
twenty miles to the forks Of the Big
Horn, where they were placed on board
steamer, and last night they were
brought down to the junction with the
Yellowstone. Tomorrow the steamer
will convey the poor fellows to Fort
Lincoln.
THE DISPARITY OF FORCES.
In closing my hasty narrative OF this
affair, in certain respects the most re-
markable in modern history, | purpose.
ly refrain from comment. The naked
facts, so far as they are known, must
guide your readers to conclusion as to
the cause Of the calamity. Information
derived from many sources, including
OF course, observation of officers enga-
ged in the battle lead to the conclusion
that $500 or 5000 Indians composed
the Fl fighting force arrayed against Gus
ter and his 600. Still these were odds
which any officer OF the Seventh cavalry
would have unhesitatingly accepted for
his regiment under any ordinary circum-
stances of Indian warfare.
The force under Gen. Terrys imme-
date command was desi gned not only
to cut off the retreat of the Indians, but
10 afford support TO Custer if needed.
Its march was made in accurate &C.
cordance with the plan communicated
to each Of the subordinate leaders be-
fore the movement commenced. 1t
reached point where the battle was
expected at the time proposed, and had
not the action been precipitated, for
reasons which are as yet unknown, a
force would have been present on the
field sufficient to retrieve any repulse OF
the attacking column.
RETREAT OF THE INDIANS.
Gen. Gibbons cavalry followed the
Indians for about ten miles, and ascer
tanned that they had moved to the
south and west by several trails A