South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-07-14

come sharply down to the water. and
arc interpreted by numerous ! rsyines.
All along the slopes and ridges and in
the ravines, lying as they had fought.
line behind line. showing where defen.
sive positions had been suceessiyeIv
taken up and held till none were left to
fight, then. huddled in q narrowc compass.
horses and men were piled promiscu-
ously.
CUSTER AND Ills FoRLORN HOPE.
At the highest point of the ridge Law
Custer surrounded by a chosen band.
Here were his two brothers and his
nephew, Mr.. Reed. Coils. Yates and Cook
Capt. Smith all lying in circle of few
yards. their horses beside them. Here,
behind Yates's company, the last stand
had been made, and here, one after an
other these last survivors of Clusters Eve
companies had met their death.
ANNIHILATIoN OF THE COMMAND.
The companies had SUCCESSFULLY
thrown themselves across the path of
the advancing enemy and had been an
initiated. Not man has escaped to
tell the tale; but il was inscribed on
the surface Of the barren hills i'm Ian.
guagc more eloquent than words. Two
hundred and sixty-one bodies have been
buried from Clusters and Reno's COM
mands. The last one found was that
Of Mr.. kellogg, correspondent Of the
Bismark Tribune. and also, I believe,
the New York Herald.
BODIES RECOGNIZED.
The following are the names Of the
officers whose remains are recognized
General Custer. Colonel Keagh, Colonel
Yates, Colonel Custer, Colonel Cooke,
Capt. Smith. Lieut.. Mcintosh, Lieut..
Calhoon, Lieut.. Hodgeson and Lieut..
Reilly. All Of these belonged to the
Seventh cavalry. Lieut.. Crittenden, of
the Twentieth infantry, was serving
temporarily with the regiment. Lieu.
tenants Porter. Sturgis, and Harrington,
and Assistant Surgeon Lord are report.
ed missing as their remains were not
recognized. but there is small ground to
hope that any OF them survived. as it is
obvious that the troops were completely
surrounded by . force Of ten times their
number.
BENOS OPERATIONS.
The history of Reno's operations
comprises all that is now known of the
sanguinary affair. II seems that Custer,
with eight companies. reached the river
In tho forenoon of the 25th, having
marched continuously all the previous
day and night. SEEING the upper or
southern extremity of the village, and
probably Understanding it's extent, lie
ordered Reno to ford the river anG
charge the village with three companies,
while he with five companies moved
down the right bank and behind the
bluff, made n similar attack at the other
end. Reno made his charge, but find.
ing that he was dealing with force
many times his own numbers dismount.
ed his men and sought shelter in the
timber which fringcd the river bank
The position appearing TO him untena.
bic he remounted and cut his way to
tho river ford under murdcrous fire
and gained the bluff, where he was sub.
sequently found. Here he was after.
wards joined by Col. Bentcen, with three
companies, which had just reached the
held,and by Captain McDougall, with his
company ard the pack mules The DO.
sition was Immediately afterwards.
COMPLETELY INVESTED BY THE INDIANS.
who for more than tw enty- -four hours al.
lowed the garrison no rest. and inflicted
severe loss. But for the >timely arrival
oil relief the command would have b cen
cut of TO man. The number saved with
Reno was 500, including 5 wounded.
Loss OF THE INDIANS.
The loss among the Indians was con.
siderable, as bodies have been found
in every direction. and they left behind
only small portion Of their dead. We
remained nearly two days on the scene
OF this disaster to bury dead and prepare
Tor transporting the wounded to place
OF safety. The neighboring country
was still full of scattering bands Of Indi.
ans watching our movement, and doubt.
less prepared TO take advantage of any
want Of vigilance to add to the number
OF their victims.
REMOVAL OF THE WOUNDED.
species Of rude horse litter was con.
structcd of poles and strips OF hide, and
on these the disabled were carried TWEEN.
ty miles to the forks Of the Big Horn.
where they were placed on board
steamer, and last night they were
brought down TO the junction with the
Yellowstone. Tomorrow the steamer
Will convey the poor fellows to Fort
Lincoln.
TIE DISPARITY or FORCES.
In closing my hasty narrative OF this
affair, in certain respects the most re.
markable in modern history, purposcly
refrain from comment. The naked
facts, 50 far "a they arc known, must
guide your readers to a conclusion rs to
the cause Of the calamity. Information
derived from many sources, including
of course, observation Of officers engag.
cd in the battle, lead to the conclusion
that $500 or 5000 Indians composed
the fighting force arraycd against Custer
and his 600. Still these were odds
which any officer OF the seventh calvary
would have unhcsitatingly accepted for
lis regiment under any ordinary circum.
stances Of Indian warfare.
Hin fprcn ,tuIrr