The New York herald., 1876-07-11


but his determination forsook him at this point
and instead Of continuing the pursuit and at least
bringing the Indians to bay, he gave the order to
countermarch and faced his command to the
way back to the mouth OF Tongue
River and reported the details of his gross and mex
cusable blundcr TO General Terry,
HIS COMMANDING OFFICER,
who informed Reno In unmistakable language that
the latters conduct amounted to positive disobedi-
ence OF ORDERS the sad consequences OF which could
not yet be fully determined. The details of this
AFFAIR will not bear investigation.
COURT MARTIAL Is STRONGLY HINrED AT,
and II one is not ordered it will not be because
1t is not richly deserved. The guides who
were with Reno report that the trail
at the point where the latter was abandoned indi-
Gates that the Indian village Of $50 lodges NOV
ing In such deliberate manner and had left so re-
Gently that Reno's command could have overtaken
1t In march Of one day and a half Few officers
have ever had so nne an opportunity to make a sue
cessful and telling strike and few ever completely
failed to improve their opportunities.
TRYING no REMEDY RENo's BLUNDER.
OF course there was but one thing to do and that
was to remedy as soon as possible the effects
OF Reno's bunder. Custer's entire command,
consisting of twelve companies Of the
Seventh cavalry and detachment Of Indian scouts
arrived at this point yesterday evening, where the
steamer Far West, with General Terry and star on
board had already preceded them, General Terry
having transferred his headquarters TO the Far West
before her departure from the mouth Of Powder
River Gibbons command was encamped on the
len bank Of the Yellowstone opposite the mouth Of
the Rosebud.
A HURRIED COUNCIL OF wAR-CUsrKR TO THE FRONT
Yesterday Terry. Gibbon and Custer got together,
and. with unanimty Of opinion decided that Custer
should start with his command up the Rosebud
valley to the point where Reno aban-
doned the trail, take up the latter and
follow the Indians long and as
his command. Custer takes no wagons or tents
with his command, but proposes to live and travel
like Indians; in this manner his command will be
able to 70 wherever the Indians can. Gibbons com
mand has started for the mouth OF the Big Horn.
Terry In the Far West leaves for the point to-
day, when with Gibbons force, and the Far West
loaded with thirty days supplies, he will push up
the Big Horn as far as the navigation OF that
stream will permit, probably as far as old Fort
c. r. Smith, at which point Custer will reform the
expedition after completing his present scout. Gus
ters command takes with it, on pack animals
ratons for fifteen days. Custer advised his subor-
dinate officers, however in regard to rations, that
it would be well to carry an extra supply Of salt,
because II at the end OF fifteen days the command
should be pursuing q trail, he did not propose to
turn back for lack OF rations but would subsist his
men on fresh meat-game, If the country provided
1t pack mules II nothing better offered.
The HERALD correspondent will accompany
Custer's column, and In the event OF a
eight or foot race" will be on the
ground make due record thereof for the benefit Of
the HERALD readers. Upon the march from Powder
to Tongue River Custer, who riding at the head
Of the column as it marched through deserted In
dian village of last winter came upon the scul and
bones OF white man. Near these was found the
uniform OF cavalry soldier, shown by the letter
&c" on the button Of his overcoat and the yellow
cord binding on his dress coat Near by were the
dead embers Of large fire. showing, with attendant
circumstances that the cavalryman had undoubt-
edly been prisoner in the hands Of the savages
and had been put the torture usually inflicted by
Indians upon all men falling into their hands cap
tives- Who the unfortunate man was and the sad
details Of his tragic death viii probably never be
known.
MIR. KELLOGG'S LAST LETTERS.
The following private letter and hurried corre-
spondence for publication from the pen Of our saug
tered correspondent, Mark Kellogg, will be read
with painful interest. We give them both Just as
written, in order to enable our readers to see the
last written messages from gallant correspond
ent in all their simplicity and force:-
THE PRIVATE LETTER.
In CAnr YELLOWSTONE
June 81, 1870
To TIE EDiroR OF THE HxRALD:-
Enclosed please nnd manuscript which have been
forced write very hurncdiy, owing to tho want Of
time given me for the purpose Ny last was badly
demoralized from wetting then briefly explained,
and have feared would prove acceptable that
account Tho officers Of the expedition have written
generally to their friends to watch for the HERALD as
they know am to record their deeds will en-
deavor to give you interesting letters We 60 along