Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-18
The Indians.

NEW YORK, July ia Bismarck, Dakota,
dispatch Of July II, says: Sherman and
Sheridan certainly uoder estimate the strength
of the hoslles. Sitting Bulls baud, before it
was joined by Crazy Horse, numbered $500
iodges-oyer 5000 effective fighting force, and
Crazy Horse has proven himself Strong enough
to defeat Crook 10 every engagement, without
the aid of Sitting Bull Col. Burke, agent at
Standing Rock, VINO certainly Is we'll Informed
and not disposed to exsggerate their strength,
estimates the fighting force of the Sioux at ten
thousand, aud it should be remembered that
women and children are not clements OF weak
ness, for every uloe-year old boy will handle a
gun. stone, maliet, or bow to better advantage
than majority of the recruits handle their
muskets The squaws do the camp drudgery,
aud are ready for the battle, if their services
are needed. Sitting Bulls ULcpspas lost $50
aud other bands Dearly as mauy 10 Custer )
fight. The Rees, at Fort Lincoln, ncurned
several days over Clusters death, cutting them.
row, 10 other ways peculiar to the lodlao.
| One refused to mourn aud, 10 the widest mau
ner called 90 Clusters spir't TO drive the Sioux
| from the land, and insisted that his brave band
| would do il. The fact that Custer, though
maDd of his regiment, had 20 command what.
ever until after Reno's return from his fruit
less scout of the 10th has not been made pub
lie. His regiment was divided into two wings,
the right uoder Reno aud the left uoder Ben.
| teen while Custer Was LETT to Wabble where he
would, without responsibility and vi hout CON-
maud. Much of the time was speUt with bis
| brothers and few trusy men, hunting and
| scouting Oh his Own accIuut Generally, lie
| was with the advance, but not 10 command Of
| it. Two or three times be " IS called upon II
find passes through the bad lands or noun.
| taius and once Terry said no other officer but
Custer ccud have conducted the command
through difficulties which seemed unsurmouGt
able, so succ .sstuIly. On the morning of June
%, for the first time, Custer vas given com
mand, and those who know BIN do not wonder
that be tried 10 MIX: the mos. Of ii, anG haz
arded all 10 an attempt TO conqurr toe Sioux
wthou, assistance. On Thurday next six
compauies of the Taenty second REGIMENT, two
companies OF the Fifth 1ntaotry and one hun.
dred recruits for the Seventh Cavalry will leave
here ubd.r the command of Col. o is, of tbt
Twenty second, to re-iutorc. Gen. ferry. Sc
far Do troops have gooe TO his assistance The
: four companies which were uuder bis imne
diate command We're promptly n myIion, anC
have been encawped here for several days
Unfortunately Col. Smith, Gen. Terry S Adiu
taot General, left Fort Liucolo TO return TO ;ht
scene of operations the day before Col Or:
arrived. As result the Colon.rS command
which is largely composed Of old Indian fight
ers, is cha6ng undcr the delay. However
everything is being put il order, and as SCOT
rs the remainder OF the force arrives Col Ou
will advance. The steamer Carroll arrived to
day, and will re'urn Immediately with rc-lu
forcemeols and supplies. The cordition o
Gen. Clusters widow continues to be alarming
During Divine service at her house yesierda
she taioted and remained 10 a swoon for pearl!
40 hour.