The New York herald., 1876-07-11
THREE DAYS BEFORE THE FIGHT.
RumOred Death Of General
Crook.
Has There Been Another Dread
full Disaster
THE COUNTRY WAITS FOR NEWS.
DIR. PORTER'S ACCOUNT OF THE
BATTLE

BATTLE.
BISMARCK, D. T., July 10, 1875
Yonr cor. espondent was not able to interview
Dr.. H. Porter, surviving surgeon OF the illfated
Seventh cavalry, until to-day. DIR. Lord, First As
sistant Surgeon, U. s. A.. with Drs Porter and II.
Dewoh, formed the medical force which accompanied
Custer ON his advance. DR.. Lord was not well and
Custer suggested that perhaps Dr.. Porter had best
accompany him, Lord remaining with the reserve;
but that gallant officer would not hear to this. He
was of Custer's stair and as long as he was able to
ride he would remain with him and go where he
went. THIS threw Doctors Porter and Dewof with
Reno, who had the largest force and was expected
to make the charge ut 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 q
mile and halr following what seemed TO be the
dying Indians.
CHARGE OF THE INDIANS.
Certainly they were In a dead run, but all at once
turned and charged the advancing soldiers. Reno
halted his command and engaged the Indians The
fire terrific, and reminded those present at that
engagement OF the Wilderness Reno says he never
heard firing more terrific. In moment hts CON-
mand was completely surrounded with the bowling
devils every side, firing at short range. Charley
Reynels, the well known scout, afterward killed, ex-
claimed:-
I'VE are gone up. There Is no hope for usn
THE FLIGHT FOR THE FORD.
Evidently Reno was OF the same opinion. He
prdered the men to mount, and leading the way
they cut for the ford. Porter's attention was at
fracted by dying man belonging to Captain
French's company, who was shot through the heart
The cavalry was dying pursued on every hand by
the Indians. Porter sprang to his horse and throw
Ing his arms around its neck he goaded 1t forward
passing and being passed by Indians In their chase
for scalps. Passing and being passed by necing
cavalrymen they reached the ford with little
loss. Poor Mcintosh, mounted ON q horse
which had been wounded, was overtaken
pulled from his horse and 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 we're crammed and
ammed, with the Indians firing into them at short
range from the front, flank and rear While In the
river Lieutenant Hodgson 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,
AwILD SCRAMBLE
commenced to reach the bur beyond. The side Of
the bluir was steep that men werc compelled
70 cling To the necks of their animals to prevent
sliding from their backs. Colonel Smith de-
:lares the incline TO bc tho stcepest he ever
raw ascended BY horse or mule. Though the In
aans were yelling every hand, firing into the re-
.treating force at short range, they gained the sum-
mit and. just they reached It eight men, shot on
tho way up fell from their horses.
RAnRicADE OF THE DEAD.
Lieutenant Mathew at once set about building
,arric@e for hospital. Dead animals and dead
used for this purpose Us well as the stores
rom the backs OF the pack mules Those who fell
In the retreat were placed under DIR. Porter's
charge, and the number rapidly Increased De-
wolf was killed just as lie reached the summit, and
Porter was LEFT alone with no help until Girard es-
capped from the thickct, when with his assistance
iwo amputations were performed
The suffering of the wounded for water and the
repeated charges made by the Indians, their sud
Sen departure and the horrors OF the Geld where
lay custer and his men were all described in your
special from the ncld.
HONOR TO THE BRAVE.
Too much cannot be sud Of the brave boys who