The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-19

about three miles away. About two
miles beyond it heavy clouds Of dust
were rising. Some thought the Indians
were decamping and it is probable Custer
thought the same. The subsequent dis
coyery of large fresh trail leading into
the Sioux camp from the southeast would
indicate, however, that this cloud of dust
may have been caused by the arrival Of
heavy achievements for the Sioux, It
is, indeed, certain that all the Indian
|sforces'weresunited; just bcforesthe battle,
but the dust may have been caused by
the Indians assembling for the coming
fight.
RENo's ADVANCE.
Custer sent forward to Major Reno,
who was leading with companies A, G
and NJ to push the scouts rapidly for
ward and to head for the cloud of dust
A steady gallop of near three miles
brought Reno to the mouth of the little
creek and a natural ford over the Little
Big Horn. The scouts warned him that
the Sioux were coming in force, but he
crossed and formed his companies and
moved forward on the prairie about a
mile, where he dismountcd his men, sent
the horses into the timber on the right
and advanced, short distance on foot.
..<,...s~. e.s.,.. AFTER sK1RM1sH1NG
few minutes, under heavy fire, Reno fell
! back to his horses in the timber and, the
Indians beginning to collect in force be.
tween him and the river, remounted.
Just then the Indians opened fire from
close range in the timber, and one soldier
fell. The men were again disrnounted for
skirmishing, but being thought unequal
to the contest, were again mounted and
moved from the timber over the open
prairie toward the ford. The Indians
pressed them fiercely and soon forced
THE RETREAT
into a-run for the ford. The Sioux on
their ponies dashed along, firing ut close
range and meeting little resistance. At
the ford and on the run towards. it the
! companies engaged suffered nearly all
their loss. Lieutenant Mcintosh, Charley
Reynolds, q scout, Dr.. DeWolf, Bloody
Knife, scout, and others, were killed
before reaching the river. Lieut.. Hodgson
and many others were killed while ford.
ing the river. A number of men, either
cut off from the retreat or preferring the
shelter of the timber, remained in the
timber and subsequently, joined Reno in
| safety as described below. Reno's re.
treat ended at the top Of a bluff on the
right bank of the river about = mile from
the ford, where he intrenched himself as
we'll as he could, and was Joined by Capt.
Benteen with companies D, H and K and
subsequently by Capt. McDougall with
company B ana a train Of pack mules,
These four companies were about two
miles in the rear when Reno forded the
river on his advance.
| THE MEN LEFT BEHIND.
George Hernedon, scout, tells that
thirteen cavalrymen, three of whom
were wounded, 1.-TWO so badly they could
not use their arms,) remained with him
in the timber where Reno placed his
horses when he advanced his skirmish
line into the Indian village. They re.
manned there about three hours and
meantime saw that nearly all the Indians
went from the upper end of the valley
down the. river; and from there they
heard heavy firing which lasted about
one hour and then began to die away.
Then Hernedon persuaded eleven of the
soldiers to 60 with him and escape. They
met on their way to the ford five Indians
who were driven off by pistol shots and
the twelve s(including the three wounded
soldiers above mentioned) waded the
river and proceeded to Reno's position
tth out opposition.
RENO ATTACKED.
Indian skirmishers had meantime sur.
rounded Reno's position and kept up a
scattering fire from commanding posi-.
tons, but inflicted little if any loss. The
wounded had been placed in the center
and the dead horses and mules were piled
in front of such rifle pits as the men could
dig. Soon after the firing below ceased,
che Indians came up the river in great
force, and Reno's skirmishers retired to
his entrenched position, which he strength.
ened during the succeeding night. The
evening attack. lasted about an hour and
covered the Indian chiefs getting their
warriors in position.
! Early next morning the Sioux renewed
the attack and several times charged close
up. These attacks ended about ten
}o'clock with . sortie led by Benteen,
which dispersed large body gathered in
front for another charge. Desaltory