The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-10


| think | owe it to myself to put you
more fully in possession of the facts of the
late operations. While at the mouth of
the Rosebud | submitted my plan to Gen
eral Gibbon and to General Custer. They
approved it heartily 1t was that Custer
with his whole regiment should move up
the Rosebud till he should meet a trail
which Reno had discovered few days be-
fore. but that he should not follow it
directly to the Little Big Horn, but that
he should send scouts over it and keep his
main force further to the south, so as to
prevent the Indians from slipping in be-
tween himself and the mountains He
was also to examine the head waters Of
Tullocka Greek as ne passed it, aud send
me word of what he found there A scout
was furnished him for the purpose OF
crossing the country to me- We calculated
1t would take Gibbons column until the
10th to reach the mouth of the Little Big
Horn, and that the wide swoop which
had proposed Custer should make would
require 50 much time that Gibbon would
be able to cooperate with him in attack
| ing any Indians that might be found on
| the stream. asked Custer how long his
marches would be. He said they would
be at first about thirty miles day.
Measurements were made and calculations
| based on that rate OF progress. talked
with him about his strength, and at one
| time suggested that perhaps it would be
better for me to take Gibbons cavalry and
go with HIM. To this suggestion he re-
piled that he would prefer his own regi-
lnent alone, as as much could be done with
| it as with the two combined. He ex-
| pressed the utmost confidence that he had
all the force that he could need, and |
shared his confidence The plan adopted
was the only one which promised to bring
the infantry into action, and desired tC
make sure Of things by getting up every
available man. | offered Custer the
battery of Gattling guns, but lie declined
it, saying that it might embarrass him.
and that he was strong enough without it.
| The movements proposed by Genera
| Gibbons column were carried out to the
letter, and had the attack been deferred
until he came up cannot doubt that We
should have been successful The Indians
had evidently nerved themselves for
stand. | learn from Captain Benton that
on the 22d the cavalry marched twelve
miles; on the 23d, thirty five miles, from
) A. NJ. to s P. NJ; on the oath, forty five
miles, ter miles further; then, after rest.
ing, but without unAaddling, twenty three
miles to the battle field. The proposes
route was not taken. but as soon as thu
trail was struck it was followed | canno
learn that any examination of Tullock;
creek was made. | do not tell you this t,
cast any reflection upon Custer, for
whatever errors he NAV have com
united he has paid the penalty
aud you cannot regret this loss more thar
| do, but feel that our plan must hav
b en- successful had it been carried out
and desire you to know the facts. L
the action itself, so far as | can make out
Custer acted under a misappreheusion
He thought, am confident. that the In
dams were running, and for fear the
might get away he attacked them. without
getting his men ~, and dividing his con-
mand, SO that they were beaten in detail
do not propose at all TO give the thin
up here, and in view Of the strength whic
the Indians have developed, propose t
bring up what little reintnrccmcnts [ ca
get. should be glad OF any y0n can sen
me. | can take two companies OF intar
try from Powder River, ana there a fe,
recruits and detailed men whom can ct
for the cavalry. | eught to have a large
mounted force than [ now have, hut TIL
| fear cannot be obtained. I hear nothin
from General Crooks operations. If
could hear | should be able to form plan
for the future much more intellioently.
A. II. TER8Y,
Brigadier General COMMANDING