The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-08
VOL. XLIIL.-N0. 200.
GEN. CUSTER'SLAST BATTLE
suEDETATLED REPORTS OF THELIT-
TIE BIO HORN ENCO UNTBR.
Gen, Terry'a March TO tho scene Of tho
massacre The Relief of Major Reno's
Command An Appalling spectacle on the
EicId where Custer FeII -keno's Escape.

Command Appalling spectacle on the
Field where Custer Fell -Keno's Escape.
SIOUX EXPEDITION, MOUTH OF THE Bro
Horn, July l.-LonR before the arrival Of this
despatch YOU will have heard OF the tragedy
which has been enacted here. The ehastly de-
tails would seem to court oblivion, II 1t we're in
the nature Of things possible to forget or cloak
them up. At noon, on the 22d Of June, Cen
Custer, at the head of his nne regiment OF
twelve vetersn cOmpauies, left camp at the
Oout Of the Rosebud, to follow the trail OF a
very large band OF hostile Sioux leading up the
liver, and westward in the direction of the
Big Horn. The signs Indicated that the Indians
we're making tor the eastern branch OF the last
named river, marked on the map as the Little
Big Horn.' At the same time Gen. Terry with
Gibbons command Of ilve com uanies Of Infantry,
four Of cavalry, and the Gatling battery, started
20 Ascend the Big Horn, aiming to assail the enc
my 10 the rear Tue march Of the two columns
was so planned as to bring Gibbons forces within
cooperating distance Of the anticipated scene
Of action by the evening Of the Goth. In this
way only cou the infantry be nude available,
ps II would not do to cucumber Clusters march
with foot soldiers. On the evening Of the Ath
Gibbons command was landed on the south
side Of the Yellowstone. near the mouth OF the
Big Horn, and on the % IN was pushed twenty
three miles over country so rugged that the
endurance Of the men was tasked to the utter
most. The infsniry then halted Tor the night,
but the Department Commander with the
cavalry advanced twelve miles further to the
mouth Of the Little Big Horn, marching until
midnight in the hope OF opening communica-
tion with Custer.
MARCHING TO THE SCENE OF CARNAGE.
The morning OF the 26th BROUGHT the inteli-
gence, communicated by three badly frightened
ROY of the hattie of yiOlla dav
and Its results. The story was not credited be-
cause II was not expected that an attack would
he made earlier tuan the 21th, and chiefly be-
cause no one could believe that force such as
Custer commanded could have met with disas-
ter. Still, the report WIS In no way disregarded.
All day long the toilsome march was piled. and
every J. o was bent upon n cloud OF smoke rest
Ing over the hill, whicn was hailed as sign that
Custer was successful and nred the village. IL
was only when night was failing that the weary
troops lay down on their arms. The Infantry bad
marched twenty nine miles. rhe march OF the
evidence OF the conflict which had tasen
place two DAYS bet,re. At an e.ry hour the
wide. bordering the left bank Of the Litte Big
Horn, where had recently been AN immeose In
stream, and where were stiil st indins funeral
todees.with bo ses slaughtered around them an q
was strew everywhere with cal Q isses OF horses,
cavalry equipments, besides buffalo robes. pack
Belonging TO the i0dians. on this part OF the
held was found the clothing OF Lieuts. Sturges
and Porter pierced with bullets and a blood
Talned gauntlet bel lnginx to Col Yates.
Fur her on were found bodies Of men, among
whom were recoeniIeu Lieut.. mclntosn, the
Interpreter from Fort Rice, and Reynolds, the
guide.
Intelligence that Major Reno, with a remnant Of
the Seventh CRvairy, was entreDcbed on a blun
nesr by waiting for reliefI he command pushed
rapidly on. and soon came IN shit Of group
surrounding cavalry guard upon a lofty emit
nence on the right bank ofthe river. Gen. Terry
torded the gtre m, accompanied by q small
party, and rode to the spot. All the way the
plopAs we're dotted with the bodies OF men snd
horses. lhe G-ner.i approached. and the men
warmed out Of the works aud greeted him with
hearty and repeated cheers. Within WIS fount
Reno. with the remains Of seven cornpanies Of
The rsaim emit aud the folio wing lam ed ofioers,
all Of whom are unhurt; Coils ben cen and
Lieut.. Godfrey. Msthey, Gioson. Derndeo. Ed,
terly, Wallace, Varnum. snd Hare. In the CEN
ire Of the enclosure Nas deDression IN the sur
lace, In which the wounded we're shell cred, COW
cred with nvas. Heno's commund had been
oehtnG from sunday noon, the 25tb. until the
the Indians to retire. Up to tnis time Reno aud
Ihose vita hin were IN complete ignOr4nce ~
been separated from them on the 18th to make
bn attack, under Custer, on tue village al an
other point.
on THE FIELD WHERE CUSTER YELL
while preparations we're being made for the
femov,i OF the wounded, y rty was sent on
Clusters trail to Jok fJr traces OF his command
They found awaiting them si1nt to apph
the stouiest near At a point about three miles
down the right bank of the stream Custer mad
lages from the lord. The trail was found t. lead
back up To the tlgns, anu Ia the northw rd
- II the troops had been repulsed and com
PEELED to retreat, and at the me time 40 Dee q
cut on from reganng the forces under Reno.
The Lluhs along the right bank come Sharply
down to the water, aud .re interpreted by ma
mefous ravines. All along the SLOPES and ridges
line behind line. showing where defensive posi-
tons had been sucCe slvely taken up snd held
I'LL none were lett 10 fight: lhen hIdoled IN d
narrow compass, horses and men we're piled pro
miscuously. AT the highest point Of the ridge
lay Custer, surrounded Uy chosen band. Here
REED, Coils. Yates and Cooke, aud G ,pt. Smitn,
all lying in a circle OF . few wards, their horses
beside Lhsm. Here behind Yates's oompaDy '
this last STAND haa oeen made, aud here one af-
ter another these last survivors OF Clusters i've
MES had successfully thrown themselves across
the path OF the advancing enemy, and had been
tale, but It was inscribed on the surface OF tue
barren hills IN a language more eloquent tnaI
words; Two hundred ana sl1ty-one bodies have
been buried from Clusters and Reno's com
insnds. The last one found WIS that Of Mr. ke
loeg, corTespondent Of the Bi.merk Itt.une
and also, believe, Of the New YoIk Herald.
Inc following are the mes OF tie officers
Tbose remains are recosn zsd Gen, Custer
Col. keogh, Col. Yates Col. Custer, Col. Capke
Cap. smlt., Lieut. A.clntosh. Lieut. Calhoun
Lieut.. Hodgeson, and Lieut.. Reilly. All Of these
belonH 10 Tue Seventh Cavalry. Lieut. Critten
den " the Iwen letu Infantry was serving tenn
porarlv wi q the regiment. Lituts. Porter
Hturges, and Harrington, and Assistant Surgeon
Lord are repor ed missing as their reniaini
were not recognized; Uut there Is small grounC
70 nope tnht ally Of them survived, as II Is O0
Nous that the troops were completely sur
rounded by fOrcs OF ten times their mum Der.
ROW RENO ESCAPED.
The history Of Reno's operations comprises al
That Is now known Oi this sangLInary an lr i
seems thAt Custer, with elgnt companies
Reached the river In the forenoon OF the 25t h
nhyfR marched continuously all the pTevlou
day and niRht SeelnS tine upper or southern
ex remitY Of the vliaRe, aud probably under
estimating its extent, he ordered Reno 10 fore
the river ana Claike the village with three com
panies, while he, with 1ve companies, m1vst
down the right Dank nj Dehind the bun 1,
make similar attack at the otner end Ken,
made his en- rye. but binding th-t he was de
ing with "A force many times his own numbers
dlsmounted Ills men aud sought shelter IN IN
timber, wnicl fringed the river bank. Inc posi-
uon appearing To ann untenaole. no Temounte
aud cut hls way 10 tne river, forced under
murderOu. fire. and R.ned tho bluh where b
was subsequenty found. Here he Was after
ward joined by Col. Bantesn with three com
phnies, " hich mad just reached the held ana b
Capt McDOuga Wi b his company and the pacl
mules. Tue position was immediately ate
completely invested Nv the Indians, who 10
more than tNeuty tour hours allowed the garri
yon no rest, ana infected severe loss. Bat 70
tte timely srrYll ~ relief the command woult
nave tren cut IN O. man. he number sayet
WIN henp was $50, Including 81 wounded. lh
loss among the lndl ms was prob ally consider
aoie' as poIles 'e oeen found In every direc
uoh ana thoY left behind only small portion
haIH