The Hillsborough recorder., 1876-07-19
AN APPALLING DIscoyERN.

u command. They found awaiting Them
il sight lit to aplal tho stoutest heart. At
Il poiut about throo miles down Tile right
bank Of Tie stream Custer had evidently
attempted 70 ford andattack the villages
frnm the ford. THE trail was found 10
lead blck up to The bluffs and 70 the
nortlward, rs II fhe troops Ind been re-
pulsed and compelled 10 retreat, and Al
the same time had been cut oil from re-
gaining tlie forces under Reno. The
bluffs along The rigntbank cont sn;rpIy
down 20 The water, aud aro iiitelsperseo
by numerous ravines. All along tile slopes
and ridges, and III the raviiies, lying as
they had fought, line behind line, show
ing where defensive positions lind been
successively taken upand held till none
were left to fight, then, hnddled ina nar-
row compass, horses and men Were piled
prnniiscuously.
CUSTER AND HIS FoRInRS HOPE.
AT the highest l,oint of the ridge lay
Custer, surrounded Dya chosen band
Here were histwo brothers Il III his neph-
ew, MIR. Reed, Coils. Yates and Cook, aud
Capt. Smith. MI lying III circle ola few
yards, their horses besides them. Here,
behind Yatcs,s company, the last stand
lad been made, and there, one after am
other, these last survivors Of Clusters live
companies lad met their death.
ANNIHII.ATIoNa ar THE COMMAND.
The companies had successfully thrown
themselves across the path of tile a.lsanc-
ing enemy, and Ind bcen annihilated.
Not man Ias escaped to tell tho tale, but
ii was inscribed On tho surface OF the
barren hills III language more eloquent
than words. Two hundred and six.y-one
bodies have been buried from Custer's
and Reno's commands. Tile tnst one
found was that Uf MIR. Kellogg, corrcs>
poadcm ofthe Bismarck Tribune, and also,
| believe, the New York Herald.
kRSo's OPERATIONS.
Tile history Of Reno's operations com
priscs all that Is now known Of this san-
culinary affair. il seems that Custer, with
eight companies, reached the river in the
forenoon Of the 25th, baving marched
continuously all The previous day aud
night. Seeing the upper Of southern ex-
tIemlty Of the village, and probably under
estimating Is extent, he ordered Reno 70
ford the river and charge the viilage with
three companies, while lieswith fiyo cons
panies, moved down the right bank and
behind Lie Lluii, made u similar attack Al
tile other end. Rcru made his charge.
but finding that lie was dealing with a
force MANY time his own numbers dis
mounted his men and sought shelter II
tile timber which friuged the river tank.
The position appearing % him untenable
lie gcmoulted and cut his way 70 the river
furd undera murderous fire and gaine,l
the bluiI, where lie WAS subsequently,
found. Here lie was afterwards Joined by
Col. Benteen, with three companies
which las just reached the field, and Us
Captain McDouyall, with his company
and The pack mules. The positioii Wa
Immediately afterwards completely IN
vested BY Tile Indians, who .or more than
twenly-fonr hours allowed tho garrison no
rest, aud inflicted severe iuss. But Tor the
timely arrival Of relief The command
would have been cut OF TO 4 man. The
numher saved with Reno was 32y, inclu'
ding ST wounded.
Loss Uf THE INDIANS.
The loss among The indians was proba.
lily considerable, rs bodies lave been
found III every direction, and they left be
hind only small portion % ilielr dead.
We remained nearly lwo days on tht
scene of This disaster 10 bury dead aud
prepare for transporting the wounded y
place Of safety. The ncighboring country
was still full Of scattering bands Of ~.
dians watching our movements, aud
doubtless prepared to take advantage q
any want u vigilance 10 add TO the num-
ber IL their victims
REMOVAL or THE WOUNDED.
a species Of rude hofSc-littcr was con'
structed IL poles and strips of hide, and
on these inc disabled were carried twenty
miles to tho forks Of the Big Horn. wlicr'
they were placed Oh board d steamer, and
last night they were brought down TO tli,
junction with the Yellowstone. 10 NOR
row t,o steamer will convey Tile poor fel
lows to Fort Lincoln.
THE DISPARITY or FORCES.
III closing my hasty narrative of thi'
nt,air, IN certain respects the most re-
markabls IN modern history, purposel,
refrain from comment. The naked facls
III faras they are known, must tguiie you
readers 10 conclusion rs to tho cause Q
tie calamity. Information derived from
many sources, including, of fcouIse, olser
vntinn of officers engaged in the battle
lead 10 tic conclusion that 25o6 orr 300
Indians composed the fighting foce ar
rayed against Custer aud his coo. Stil
these were odds which any officer q ~
i tt..4.,.tt. .saXatlrV tFuttfI ltaVN tulteailsl