Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-07-15
THE MASSACRE In MONTANA
DEPARTURE OF CUSTER FROM ROSEBUD
CAMP.

DEPARTURE OF CUSTER FROM ROSEBUD
CAMP.
At noon on the 22d of June Gen.
Custer, at the head of his fine regiment
of twelve veteran companies, left camp
at the mouth of the Rosebud to follow
the trail of a very large band Of hostile
Sioux leading up the river, and west
ward in the direction of the Big Horn.
The signs indicated that the Indians
were making tor the eastern branch of
the last named river, marked on the
map "Little Big Horn" At the same
time Gen. Terry, with Gibbons COM
mand of FIVE companies of infantry, four
of cavalry and the Gatling battery,
started to ascend the Big Horn, aiming
to assail the enemy in the rear.
PLAN OF COOPERATION.
| The march of the two columns was
planned as to bring Gibbons forces
within co operating distance Of the an
ticipated scene of action by the even
ing of the 26th. In this way only could
the infantry be made available, as it
would not do to cucumber Custer 6
march with foot soldiers. On the eve
ming of the Path Gibbons command was
landed on the south bank of the Yellow
stone, near the mouth of the Big Horn
and on the 25th 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 Big Horn, marching until
midnight in the hope of opening com,
munication with Custer.
SUDDEN NEWS OF BATTLE.
The morning of the 26th brought the
intelligence communicated by three
badly frightened Crow scouts of the
battle of the previous day, and its re-
suits. The story was not credited be-
cause it was not expected that an at
tick would be made earlier than the
9th, and chiefly because no one could
believe that force such as Custer com
manded could have met with disaster
Slill the report was in no way disre
garded. All day long the toilsome
march was piled and every eye ben,
upon a cloud of smoke resting over the
southern horizon, which vas hailed as
a sign that Custer was successful and
had fired the village. 1t was only when
night was falling that the weary troops
lay down upon their arms. The in:an.
try had marched 20 miles.
TRACES OF CONFLICT.
The march of the next morning re
vealed at every step some evidence o.
the conflict which had taken place two
days before. At an early hour the head
of the column entered plain half a
mile wide bordering the left bank Of
the Little Big Horn, where had recent
ly been an immense Indian village, ex
tending three miles along the stream
and where still standing several lodges
with horses slaughtered around them
and containing the bodies of nine chiefs
The ground was strewn everywhere
carcasses of horses, cavalry equipments,
besides buffalo robes, packages of dried
meat and weapons and utensils belong
ing to the Indians.
On this part of the field was found
the clothing of Lieuts. Sturgess and
Porter, pierced with bullets, and blood
stained gauntlet belonging to Col
Gates. Further on were found the
bodies of men, among which were re
cognized Lieutenant Mcintosh, the in
terpreter from Fort Rice, and Reynolds
the guide.
RELIEF OF RENO.
Just then breathless scout arrived
with the intelligence that Col. Reno
with number of the Seventh Cavalry,
was entrenched on bluff near by wait,
ing for relief. The command pushed
rapidly on and soon came in sight of q
group surrounding cavalry guard upon
lofty eminence 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 repeated
cheers. Within was found Reno with
the remains of seven companies of the
regiment, with the following named
officers, all of whom are unhurt: Coils.
Benteen and Wier, Capts. Felix, May.
Ian aud Mcdonald, Lieuts. Godfrey,
Mathey, Gibson, De Rudio, Edgerly,
Wallace, Varnum and Hare.
In the centre of the enclosure was a
depression in the surface in which the
wounded were sheltered, covered with
canvass. Reno's command had been
fighting from Sunday noon, the 25th,
until the night of the 26tb, when Terry's
arrival caused the Indians TO retire.
Up to this time Reno and those with
him were in complete ignorace of the
fate of the other five companies which
had been separated from them on the
25th to make an attack under Custer on
the village at another point.
AN APPALLING DISCOVERY.
While preparations were being made
for the removal of the wounded, party
was sent on Clusters trail 10 look for
traces Of his command. They found
awaiting them sight fit to appall the
stoutest heart. At point about three
miles down the right bank of the stream
Custer had evidently attempted to ford