South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-07-14
THE MASSACRE IN MONTANA.
Graphic Account of the Disaster
YrIvE cOxeAS1ss ANsrmLArED.
D'scoeery Of Hse Slaughtered Troops.

Rett.f'ef Renss Command Scene on Ire Fed Of
Badne- Esidences Of Sacsye Str1e- Cxster Sur
ROUNDED and Operpheimed- The INDIANS Ten
1tn'ss Mss Strength The Ground .Srews rih
Oead-A Spectacle Of Horror.
CnIcAGo, July 7.-Thc following nc.
count Of the Custer massacre has been
received here: sfr
".Siour Erpeditioa. Moxik of the Big
Horn. July /, via Bismarck, ID. r., July
S.-Long before the arrival of this dis.
patch you will have heard of the tragedy
which has been enacted here. The
ghastiy details would seem to court O.
blivion II 1t were in the nature Of things
possible o forget or cloak them M.
DkPAKTIRE OF CUSTER FROM ROSEBUD
CAMP.
At noon on the 22nd of June General
Custer. at the head Of his fine regimen.
OF twelve veteran companies. left camp at
the mouth of the Rosebud TO follow the
trail OF very large band of hostile ST,
oux leading up the river, and westward
IN tic direction of the Big Horn. The
signs indicated that the Indians were
making for the eastern branch of the
last named river, marked on the map as
Little Big Horn" At the same time
Gen. Terry, with Gibbons's command of
five companies Of infantry, four of cav.
airy and the Calling battery, started to
ascend the Big Horn, aiming to assail
the enemy in the rear.
PLAN OF CORPORATIONS.
The march Of the two columns was en-
planned rs to bring Gibbons,s forces
within cooperating distance of the an
ticipated scene of action by the evening
OF the 26th. In this way only could the
infantry be made available, as it would
not do TO cucumber Clusters march with
foot soldiers. On the evening of tbo
gath Gibbons's com nand was landed ON
the south bank Of the Yellowstone. near
The mouth OF the Big Horn, and on the
10th was pushed twenty. three miles over
country so rugged that the endurance
OF the men was tasked to the utmost -
The infantry then halted for the night
but the department commander. with
The cavalry, advanced twelve miles
further to the mouth Of the Little Bio
Horn, marching until midnight in tho
nope OF opening communication with
Custer.
SUDDEN NEWS OF BATTLE.
The morning of the 26th brought the
intelligence communicated bv three had.
ly frightened Crow scouts Of the battle
OF the previous day, and its results. The
story was not credited because it was
not expected that an attack would be
made earlier than the 27th, and chiefly
because no one could believe that force
such AZ Custer commanded could have
met with disaster. Still the report was
in no way disreeardcd. All day long
the toilsome march was piled and every
eye bent upon cloud of smoke resting
over the southern horizon, which was
hailed as sign that Custer was suc.
cessful and had fired the village. II
was only when night was falling thai
the weary troops lay down upon their
arms. The infantry had marched TWEEN.
ty-ninc miles.
TRACES OF CONFLICT.
The march OF the next mornino RI.
vcalcd Mt every step some evidence Of
the conflict which had taken place Two
days before. Atan early hour the head
OF the column entered n plain half n mile
wide bordering the left bank of the Lit.
Tie Big Horn, where had recently been
an immense Indian village, extending
three miles along the stream. and where
were still standing several lodges. with
horses slaughtered around them. and
containing tho bodies of nine chiefs
Inc ground was strewn everywhere with
carcasses OF horses, cavalry equipments.
besides buffalo robes, packages of dried
meat and weapons and utensils bclono.
ing TO tie Indians.
On this part of the field was found
the clothing Of Liouts. Sturgess and
Porter. pierced with bullets, and blood.
stained gauntlet belonging to Colonel
Gates. Further on were found bodies
OF men, among which were recorpizcd
Lieutenant Mcintosh the Interpreter
from Fort Rice, and Reynolds, tho guide.
RELIEF OF RENO.
just then breathless scout arrived
with tho intelligence that Col. Reno.
with number Of the Seventh Cavalry.
was cntronChed on bluff near by wait.
ing for relief. The command pushed
rapidly on and soon came in sight of n
group surrounding u cavalry guard upon
lofty emlnence ON the right bank of
the river. Gen. Terry forded the stream.
accompanied by small party, and rode
to the spot. All the way the slopes
were dotted with the bodies of men and
horses. The general approached and
the men swarmed out of the works and
greeted him with hearty and rcpeated
cheers. Within was found Reno with
the remains OF seven companies Of the
regiment, with tho following named Of.
iiccrs, all Of whom are unhurt: Coils
Bcntccn and Wicr, Capts. Felix, Maylan
and Mcdonald, Lieutenants Godfrey.
Mathey, Gibson, De Rudio, Edgerly.
Wallace, Varnum and Hare.
In the centre Of the enclosure was n
depression ia tie surface in which the
wounded were sheltered, covered with
canvas. Rcnos command had been
FIGHTING from Sunday noon, the 25th.
until the nigh! Of the goth, when Terrv's
arrival caused the Indians TO retire.
Up TO this time Reno and those with
him yvprp in cpfnp1rto fDunrouro - a.