The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-07-21

and on the right the river bottom, COW
cred with growth of cottonwood
trees and bushes. After scattering
shots were fired from the hills, and
few from the river bottom, and RenO'S
skirmishers returned the shots, he adj
vanced about mile from the ford to a
line of timber on the right and dis
mounted his men to fight on foot. The
horses were sent into the timber, and
the men formed on the prairies and
advanced toward the Indians The In
dlanS, mounted Oh ponies, came across
the pralrleS, and opened heavy fire
on the soldiers. After diminishing for
few minutes, Reno fell back to his
horses IN the timber.
The Indians moved to his left and
rear, evidently with the intention of
cutting him off from the ford. Reno
ordered his men to mount and move
through the timber. Just as the men
got into the saddle the Sioux. who had
advanced i'll the timber, fired at close
range and killed one soldier. Col.
Reno then commanded the men to dis
llIOttIIbs anu lllCl NllNl St. DUU Ht SOOil
ordered them to mount again and
move out on the open prairie. The
Indians were every moment getting
thicker between the companies on the
river bottom and the reserve on the
hill.
"COl. Reno ordered his men to
mount and cut their way through. A
wild scramble for life now began. 1t
was every one for himself. Indians on
every side rose up and fired at the fly
ing hOrSemen, and hundreds mounted
on swift ponies pursued the soldiers,
easily enough coming up with the
heavy American horses. 1t was
hand-to-hand fight, one trooper often
having as many as five Indians after
him. The troops used their reyOlverS
at short range, emptying an Indian
saddle at every shot. At the ford,
about mile distant, strong force of
Indians was found holding it. But the
troopers dashed on them, crossed the
river, and began to ascend the high
bank opposite. 1t was mere Indian
trail leading up the face of bald hill.
The Indians rallied. and, taking shelter
III the bushes about the ford, opened 4
deadly fire on the soldiers as they
fOrded and assembled the opposite
bank.
SLAUGHTER AT THE FORD.
Ion account of the narroWness of
the ford q great crowd soon collected
about the crossing and became damned
there; and into this mass of men and
horses the Indians fired at short range.
The loss of life here was fearful.
Lieut.. Hodgson fell while calamity en-
deavoring to get his men across the
stream. Hodgson had already crossed
the stream himself and was ascending
the opposite bank when his horse was
shot and rolled down the bank with
him. Detaching himself from the
fallen animal he graSped the stirrupS
of passing soldier to help himself up
the bank, and had nearly reached the
top when a shot struck him and he
fell back. The Sioux. mounted on
their swift ponies, dashed up by the
side Of the soldiers and fired at them,
killing both men and horses. Little
resistance was offered, and it was a
complete rOut to the ford. Just as
got out my horse stumbled and fell
and | was dismounted, the horse run
ming away after Reno's command. I
saw several soldiers who were dis
mounted, their horses having been
killed or having run away. There /
were also some soldiers mounted who
had remained behind. | should think /
III all there were as many as thirteen /
soldiers, and, seeing no chance to get /
away, | called on them to come into /
the timber and we would stand off the /
Indians. Three of the soldiers were /
wounded, and two of them so badly |
they could not use their arms. The |
soldiers wanted to get out, but ! said
no, we can't get to the ford, and, be
sides, we have wounded men and must
stand by them. The soldiers still
wanted to go, but [ told them | was
an old frOntiersman, understood lndl-
ans, and if they would do as | said, !
would get them out Of the Scrape,
which was no worse than Scrapcs ]
had been in before. About half Of the
men were mounted, and they wanted
to keep their horses with them, but |
told them to let the horses go and fight
on foot.
1--WE staid in the bush about three
hours, and ! could hear heavy firing
below in the river, apparently about 2
miles distant. | did not know who it
was, but knew tbs Indians were fight
ing some of our TAen, and learned after
ward it was Clusters command. Near
" all the Indians in the upper end of
the valley drew off down the river,
and the fight with Custer lasted about
one hour, when the heavy firing ceas-
ed. When the shooting below began
to die away | said to the boys. ''Come,
now is the time to get out" Most of
them did not go, but waited for night.
l told them the Indians would come