Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-07-14
Battle of Little Horn.
Slaughter of Custer and his Command-Re
nos Loss 52-TotaI Killed, 26l-Wound

nos Loss 52-TotaI Killed, 26i-Wound-
ed, 81.
On first page will be found some of the
particulars of the battle of Little Horn,
and the slaughter of Clusters command.
Further particulars make the number
few less, 26l, but the first reports are
fully sustained as to the general slaugh-
ter of Clusters command.
1t appears that Custer must have been
deceived as to the number of the savag-
es and also as to the distance between
himself and Gen. Reno's command of
three companies, the two commands at
lacking the Indians at different points.
The whole force was II companies, Reno
had and Curtis b.
RENo's ATTACK AND REFUSE.
Reno felt of them with three compa-
MES of cavalry and was almost instantly
surrounded, and after one hour or more
of vigorous fighting, during which he
lost Lieuts. Hodgden and Mcintosh and
DIR. Dewolf and twelve men, with several
Indian scouts killed and many wounded,
he cut his way through to the river and
gained bluff 800 feet in hight, where
he entrenched and was soon Joined by
Col. Benton with four companies. In
the meantime the Indians resumed their
attack, making repeated and desperate
charges, which were repulsed with great
slaughter to the Indians. They gained
higher ground than Reno occupied, and
as their arms were of longer range and
better than the cavalry, they kept up
CALLING fire until nightfall. During the
night Reno strengthened his position
and was prepared for another attack,
which was MADE at daylight.
The day wore on. Reno had lost in
killed and wounded large portion of
his command, forty odd having been
killed before the bluff was reached,
many of them in hand to hand conflicts
with the Indians, who outnumbered them
ten to one and his men had been with
out water for thirty-six hours The suf-
fering was heartrending. In this state
of affairs they determined to reach water
at all hazards Col. Benton made sal
ly with his company and routed the
main body of the Indians who were
guarding the approaches to the river.
The Indian sharpshooters were nearly
opposite the mouth of the ravine through
which the brave boys approached the
river, but the attempt was made, and
though one man was killed and seven
wounded the water was gained and the
command relieved. When the fighting
ceased for the night Reno further pre-.
pared for attacks. There had been for
ty eight hours fighting with no word
from Custer. Twenty-four hours more
of fighting and the suspense ended when
the Indians abandoned their village in
great haste and confusion Reno knew
then that succor was near at hand. Gen.
Terry, with Gibbon commanding his own
infantry, had arrived, and as the com
rades met, men wept on each others
necks.
FIRST NEWS OF CUSTER.
Inquiries were made for Custer but nc
one knew anything of him. Soon an
officer rushed into camp and related how
he had found Custer and all his men
dead, and that only one Grow scout re
manned to tell the tale. Custer was sur
rounded on every side by Indians, and
horses fell as they fought on the skirm
ish line or in the line of battle Custel
was among the last who fell, but wher
$ his cheering voice was no longer hear,
y the Indians made easy work of the re
mainder.
1t was the approach of Terry and hi
! command that caused the Indians to re
: treat.
I MUTILATIoN OF THE DEAD.
g The bodies of all, save the newspape
correspondent were stripped and most G
them were horribly mutilated. Custer
e was not mutilated. He was shot throug
u the body and through the head. Tn
$ troops cared for the wounded and burie,
!, the dead, and returned to their base 70
i supplies and instructions from the Ger
: eral of the army. Colonel Smith al
I rived at Bismarck Wednesday, night wit
3 thirty,fve of the wounded.
: THE INDIAN LOSS.
r. The Indians lost heavily in the battl,
r The Grow scout survived by hiding in
4 ravine. He believes the Indians lo
10 more than the whites. The villag,
rs numbered about 1900 lodges, and it
O. thought there were 1000 warriors.
ne cUsTER's ORDERS.
I'd Gen Custer was directed by Gen. Te
v ry to find and feel of the Indians, b.
IN not to fight unless Terry arrived wit
I'd infantry and with Gibbons column. I'll
III casualties foot up 261 killed and [
a wounded.
ls While Gen. Terry's command were
81 the march they were met by three Gro
rs scouts, who reported the disaster to Gu
v ter, but they were not credited, thous
r they pushed on and soon found the des
&c bodies of soldiers and horses and Il
= worst was confirmed
es CUsTER's LAST FIGHT.
~ ~ A dispatch to a New York paper, ds
NV ed on Clusters battle field, June 2S say
re Courriers are about to leave with &c
Int Terry's dispatches, and l take adva
,e, tape of the OpDortunitv fo send q has