Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-15
The Custer Massacre.
ANOTHER DETAILED ACCOUNT BY AN EYE WIT
MSS.

ANOTHER DETAILED ACCOUNT BY AN EYE W.T.
MESS.
The Minneapolis Press and Ir'6une OF
Sept. 9Th, publishes an interview with an
old trspper named Ridgely, who has been .
long time in the Yellowstone country. and
claims to have witnessed tine Custer massacre.
being prisoner in Sitting Bulls camp ana
seeing every movement OF the troops. lie
was taken prisoner last March and kept IN
the camp OF the Indians ever since until tine
Custer massacre He was treated kindly.
He saws Sitting Bull organized not to night
the whites but to drive miners from tne
Hills. Previous to Custer attack mounted
couriers from Sitting Bulls camp had Tor
eight DAYS watched his forces, their division
into small detachmentsg beln noted with
manifestations of extreme delight
Ambuscades were immediately prepared
and while the Indians stood ready Tor an
attack, many of them Clam oered on the
side Of hill overlooking Casters line
of march The Indian camp was d.
yided by bluff, point OF which ran TO-
ward the Rosebud and in the direction OF
one of the available .ords on the route to
rho camp. By this ford Custer followed
their trail down the waters edge. There
were but % teepes visible to Custer, but
were seyenty-fee double teepes behind the
bluffs not visible to Custe-. lie attacked
the smaller village and was Immediately
met BY fifteen hundred or two thousand
Iudians IN regular order Of battle. Every
movement was made with military preci-
sion Rdigely says be stood on side NIL
and had complete view OF the battle,
which was not over a mile and bali Gls-
tant. Custer began the fight IN ravlne
near the ford, and fully one bail MS com :
mand seemed 10 be endorsed at the hrst
FIRE. Then the soldiers retreated toward hin
! In the rear and were shot down on their
way with astonishing rapidly. the COM
handing officer falling from MS morse IN
the middle OF the engagement, when COM
menced at / d. IN. and did not last moro
than forty-tye minutes.
Alter the massacre of Custer 5 forces the
/ Indians returned 10 camp with SIX soldiers as
prisoners, and delIrlUus with JOY over their
success Those six were tied TO stakes al a
wood pile in the village and burned to
| death. While the flames were torturing
them TO death. Indian BOYS hired red not
arrows into their quiyeriDg flesh until they
died
Sitting Bull was met after the fight and
exultlpsly remarked be had killed many
soldiers and one ID General. bat didn't
know who he was The squsws then armed
themselves with knives, visited the battle
| field, and robbed and mutllated the todles
of soldiers While the soldiers were being
burned the Indians turned their attention
10 A force, evidently Reno's, attacking the
lower end OF the village.
Ridley says Clusters command had been
| slaughtered before a shot was fired by
Reno'- force attacking the lower end OF the
camp about , o. clock . N. The Indians re-
turned 10 the evening. and said the men had
fought like the devil, but Ridgle says they
dldn'tmake d statement OF their losses. They
said the soldiers had been driven back
twice. and then they piled up stores anc
the attack was unsuccessful. The prisoners
were kept burning over an hour, but Ridge
IL was not permitted TO speak, with them
He j. unable 10 state VITO they were. Ont
was noticeable from his small size and graz
hair and whiskers
K no killed more Indians than Custer
VINO tell IN the midst OF the fight. and tw'
captains. believed ~ bs Yates and heogh
were the last 20 die The night after III
massacre the Indians were wild with de
light. Many were drunk with whiske,
taken from the whites. Squaws periorme
the duty o. guards Tor the prisoners he
coming drowsy, kIdgely and two compan
ions escaped. securing ponies, and Oega
their long Journey homeward The part
ate some aud laid 10 the woods four day I
avoid Indians On the way his horse STUN
bled breaking EIdeley arm. bur the part
finally reached Fort Abercromble. Theme
Rldgely came here. tie describes stun
Bull a. a half breed. Of large size and yer
intelligent. with peculiar gait