New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-19
THE WAR PATH.

The Indian Strength Underestimated -
Grief at Custer's Death - Custer,u
Command-Cslonel Otis to Reinforce
Terry Chafing at Delay Illness Of
General Custer's Widow.
NEW YORK, July ia Bismarck (DA-
kota) dispatch Of July 18, says Generals
Sherman and Sheridan certainly underesti-
mate the strength of the hostile Indians.
The band Of Sitting Bull, before it was
joined by Crazy Horse, numbered 1900
lodges, with over 5000 effective fighting
strong enough to defeat Crook in every en-
gagement, without aid from Sitting Bull.
Colonel Burke, agent at Standing Rock,
who certainly is we'll informed and not dis.
posed to exaggerate their strength, esti-
mates the fighting force of the Sioux at
10000, and it should be remembered that
| the women and children are not elements of
handle q gun, q stone mallet, or bow to
better advantage than q majority of re-
cruits handle their muskets. The sQuaws
do the camp drudgery and are ready for
battle if their services are needed.
Sitting Bulls "unsapapas" lost 100, and
other bands nearly as many as were in
Clusters fight.
The reds at Fort Lincoln mourned several
days over Clusters death, cutting them
selves with knives and exhibiting genuine
sorrow in other ways peculiar to Indians.
One refused to mourn, and in the widest
manner called on Clusters spirit to drive
| the Sioux from the land, and insisted his
brave band would do it.
The fact that Custer, though with the
expedition and nominally in command of
| his regiment, had no command whatever
until after RenO's return from his fruitlees
scout of the twentieth has not been made
| public. His regiment was divided into two
| wings, the right under Reno and the lett
| under Benteen, while Custer was left to
wabble where he would, without respon-
sibility and without command. Much Of
| his time was spent with his brothers and q
| few trusty men, hunting and scouting on
his own account Generally he was with
/ the advance, but not in command. Two or
| three times he was called upon to find
| passes through the bad lands or mountains.
/ and once Terry said no other officer but he
| could have conducted the command through
| the difficulties which seemed insurmount-
| able so successfully.
On the morning of June %, for the first
time, Custer was given a command, and
| those who knew him do not wonder he tried
| attempt to conquer the Sioux without as
sistanoe.
On Thursday next six companies of the
| Twentysecond Regiment. two companies Of
the Fifth Infantry, and 100 recruits for tbs
Seventh Cavalry, will leave here, under
| command of Colonel Otis, of the Twenty
| second, to reinforce General Terry. So far
no troops have gone to his assistance.
| Four companies, which were under his inn.
| mediate command, we're promptly in mo-
ton and have all been enoamped for several
days.
Unfortunately, Colonel Smith, General
Terry's adjutant general, left Lincoln to re-
turn to the scene of operations the day bo-
fore Colonel Otis arrived. As result, the
coloneps command, which is largely cou-
posed of old Indian fighters, is chatting I'M.
der delay. However, everything is being
put in order, and as soon as the balance o.
the force arrives Otis will advance.
Tne steamer Carroll arrived to-day, and
will return Immediately with reinforce
ments and supplies.
The condition of General Clusters widow
continues to be alarming. During diviNl
service at her house yesterday she tainted
and remained in . swo0n for nearly a
hour.
Indian Agent Danforth has been in
structeG 20 allow the Ute Indians to leav,
the reservation to fight the Sioux.
More Indian Mischief Brewing.
WASHINGTON, July 18.-A dispatch n
ports the Indians moving on Medicine Row
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