The New York herald., 1876-07-14
SOUTHERN OFFICERS ON THE
MASSACRE.

VIEWS OF GENERALS JOSEPH Y. JOHNSTON AND
JOIN M'cAUsLAND.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. VAIL
July III, 1876 !
General Joseph Z. Johnston is at the Springs He
had been the Far West probably operating against
the Indians, in ante -beum times On this account,
and as he distinguished military officer hought
proper to ascertain his views the subject OF the
recent campaign and the massacre OF General Custer
and his command l was iorcibly struck with his re
ply. II eminently conservative, digni0ed and SOL
dier-lke. He sad-
EXPRESSIONS OF GENERAL JOHNSTON.
~ have read the exceedingly interesting account in
the HERALD giving the details OF the campaign, and
would like to oblge the HERALD and YOURSELF but do
not think that have any right to crcise the military
operations OF United States officers"
''You have perfect right to express your opinion,
General, f" suggested.
"Ycs. suppose so; but it would be- to say the least
Of It, ndecate IN to give opinion the subject
at present"
General Custer to have been rather hasty in
his operations said
"Of that can't say; and In the absence OF General
rerry's official report It would DO highly improper
give any opinion. General Terry Is a distinguished
officer, and has distinguished military reputation l
have very high opnion of him as an officer, and as
said before, in the absence of his report, and with no
knowledge of the topography OF the country would
hesitate to give an opinion on the subject privately
much less one Tor publication
somebody must be responsible" again remarked
tho hope of elicitng expression from this wary
chcftain.
III dare say somebody is There is a strong sym
pathy now for the men and officers OF the entire expe-
d,ion but when that off suppose the response
be parties will be dealt with unsuccessful soldiers
always are The massacre of many distinguished
nd hrav sold ia To he lam
most unfortunate calamity. which should have been
guarded against"
''What do you suppose will now be the policy Of the
government in regard to the lndiansf"
''Ahl dont know, and cannot conceive"
The conversation at this junc,ure interrupted,
and, as l withdrew, the General sad perhaps later
when he had all the lights before him. he might give
me his views
OPINION oP GENERAL M'cArsLASD.
General John McCausland, ex- Confederate cavalry
officer OF note is aso here asked what he thought
Of the conduct OF the campaign against the Ind
and the massacre OF Custer and his men. He SAID
al think aud believe that the expedition we'll
planned The cavalry force Of l, 200 should have
been better supported by infantry There is plenty OF
Infantry in tho country"
"Do you think Custer was rash IN making his
charger"
"No. BY - he was not He did the very thing
cavalry commander should have done would have
lone the same thing myself HI found the Indian
trail, close upon them and was he to turn back
Certainly not The only way to fight with cavalry is
with dash-,o charge. ] don't blame him. He was
right But there was a trap. and think somo white
and these post furnished the Indians with
ammunition and were mixed up in it."
"Do you think Terry responsible in any ways"
s.No, do not Terrys orders seem to have been
correct The blunder and the responsibility rest
somcw here else; where I'm not prepared to say"