Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-11
NO. 1862.
Mistsllamecns.
THE DISASTROUS CAMPAIGN.

Ayigorous campaign was organized last
Spring against the hostile tribes of the
Sioux, who under the leadership of Sitting
Bull refused to leave their camps on the
Big Horn and Tongue Rivers, in the VAL
ley of the Yellowstone, and enter upon tho
reservations which the government had
set apart for them. Last winter the GOV
ernment dispatched scouts into the Big
Horn country with premptory notice OF
election, and the threat that it they should
not heed the summons within three months
troops would be sent into the valley TO
drive them out Sitting Bull received the
message with contempt, and troops were
ordered into active service Three col
ums, under the command of General Glib
bon, Gen. Terry, and Gen. Cook, were
equipped and placed under marching Or
Bulls camp, in the Big Horn country
The three columns We're to meet on the
Powder or the Tongue River, and combine
their forces in the heart of the enemy's
country. Gen. Cook, at Fort Reno, was
to strike north; Gen. Terry, with Gen.
Clusters cavalry, at Fort Lincoln, was to
march west; and Gen. Gibbon, at Fort
Butord, was to descend the Yellowstone
hiiu JUN Icu. 1cITV.
Gen. Cook set out from Fort Fetterman
on May 20, and after hating at Fort Reno,
pressed on to the headwaters of the Tongue
River. On June 8 the Indians attacked the
camp, but were repulsed After remain
ng in camp several days the march was re-
sumed on June 16 in the direction of the
Rosebud Valley. On the next day the
Sioux surprised the troops on the march
and attacked them with great vigor. Ten
men We're killed and 10 wounded, and
Gen. Cook ordered retreat to Goose
Creek. Gen. Terry meanwhile had
reached the Yellowstone at the Powder
river, and had opened communications
with Gen. Gibbon, who was in camp on
the north bank of the river. Gen. Custer
with Il companies of cavalry pushed into
the Rosebud Valley, and not finding Sit
ting Bulls camp, struck across country to
the Little Horn, a branch of the Big Horn
Here was an Indian camp of 2 900 lodges
One detachment of the cavalry under the
command Of Col. Reno attacked the ene-
my at one point, and Gen. Custer led five
companies into the center of the camp
The Indians returned murderous fire,
Gen. Custer was killed, and 3l5 men were
left dead on the field. There COM
pdnieS Hdu Oeen placeu on NIL as a re-
serve, and Col. Reno's force retired from
the field under their protection. Gen. Gus
ter's attacking party was overwhelmed by
numbers and swept out of existence.
Renos forces retreated toward the Yel-
lowstone, where Gen. Gibbons infantry
was encamped. This is the account which
the scout, Muggins Taylor, has carried to
Fort Ellis, and which appeared in the
second edition of yesterdays Tribune.
At the time of the massacre Gen. Ter
rvs infantry was evidently in camp on the
Yellowstone, either at the Tongue or the
Rosebud river. and Gen. Gibbons COM
mand was at the mouth of the Big Horn
where the steamboats, were moored. Gen.
Crooks command was at the headwaters
OF the Tongue river. The campaign has
been disastrous failure. Gen. Crooks
skirmish with the Indians in the upper
valley of the Rosebud river took place
eight days before the massacre, and his
encampment on Goose Creek on the up
per waters Of Tongue river was not many
miles from the scene of the massacre.