The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-08

side OF the OF the bluns on 'hs
opposite side from the village and from my eommana'
that he heard and my action believe although
gould not see him, and just hero that the indans
dcceived U.S. 'At this lime driving them win easo
ana bis trail shows that he moved rapidly down mo
RIVER ior three miles to the ford at which he attempted
to cross into their village and with conviction that
he would strike a retreating enemy Trumpe'er Mar
TIN, OF Company H. aud who the last time Of any living
person heard and General Custer and who brought
tho last order his Adutant Colonel Cooke ever pen
cied, says he lett the General at the summit OF the
highest blum on that side, and which overlooked
tho village and my first battlefield and rs he turned
General Custer raised his hat and gave yell, saying
tney were asleep int their tepecs and surprsed, and 10
charge Cookies order, scnt to Bentcen, and which
aftcrward saw and read, said Big village; big hing;
bring up the packs" Custcrs disaster not tho de-
feat Of the Seventh cavalry who held their ground for
thirysix hours after with force outnumbercd ten to
ono The Indians msdc- him confident by appear
ing 10 DO stampedod. and, Undoubtedly, when he ar
rived at tho ford expecting 10 SO with ease through
their village, he rode into ambuscado Of at least
1000 reds Ny getting tho command Of the Seventh
company was not tho result Of any order or prcar-
ranged plan. Bcnteen and McDougal arrived scpa-
rately, and saw the command the bluffs and came
It. They did go the bottom a. all after The
General Custer, but tho advance company sent
back word they were being surrounded. Crowds OF
reds all sides Of u.s. and Custcrs fate had
evidently been determined knew the position had
nrst takon on the bluff was and strong one.
moved there, dismountod and herdcd she pack
train, aud had but just tlmo to do SO when they
camc upon me by thousands Had We bson twenty
minutes later efIecting tho junction not 4 man OF
that regiment would DO living to-day to tell the tale
As you have the reputation OF soldier and, II It Is
not undeserve there In you spirit that will give
you rest until you have righted in you lies the
wrong shat perpctratcd on gallant men by your
defence Of Custer and request you will publish this
letter with such comments that rpiry will dictate
Respectfully,
MARCUS RENO Major Seventh cavalry.
Desiring 20 have statement from Colonel Bcntccn
to his share In the fight the HERALD correspondent
sought ont that gentleman and asked him to give his
version of tho affair. Tho Colonel, who has covered
himself with glory in tho fight, and Is popularity
known as the Saviour OF tho Seventh is an older
than Colonel Rcro, with HAIR already gray, and, from
tho kindly, gentle expression OF his face would
has shown the field OF battle Tho Colonel order
mako the OF tho disastrous day clear tho
correspondent took hts motto book and made rough
sketch OF tho plan of the BATTLE which forward by
mail, together with tracing of the Typographical map
by Lieutenant. f. Mcguire, OF the engineers which
shows tho whole ground with tho greatest accuracy
The Colonel said:-
COLONEL BRNrEENs STATEMENT
seppose had better begin with the formation of
the battalion from the point where the battaons
formed. was with my battalion to the left
line of blus about hvo miles off, with instructions to
look for Indians and what was to be seen, and II
saw nothing there TO go on. and when had satsaco
myself that useless go further in that drec-
ton to reoin the main trail After proceeding through
q rough and difficult country very tiring tho horses
aud seeing nothing, and wishing to tho horses
necessary fatigue, decided to return to tho main
trail Before had proceeded milo in the direction
OF tho blufs ovcrtakcn by the Chief Trumpctcr
and the Sergeant Major with instructions from General
Custer to use my discretion and should nnd
any OF Indians at 10 notify General Custer
Having marched rapidly and passed the line OF bluffs on
tho lett bank Of branch Of the Little Big Horn River
which made into the main stream about two and q
hall miles above the ford crossed by Colonel Rcno.
command, as ordered. I continued my march In the
same direction. Tho whole time occupied In this
march was about hour and . half Az was an Z.
ous regain tho main command, as there werc no
signs OF Indians, then decided TO rcjon the main
trail the country before me was mostly OF the Same
character that had already passed without val
ley and without water and offering inducements for
tho Indians No valleys wore visible, not even tho
valley where the tight took place, until my command
struck the river About three miles from tho point
where Reno crossed the ford a sergeant bringing
orders to the commanding officer Of the guard
Captain McDouga, Company Is, TO hurry up the pack
trains A milo further was met by my trumpc,cr,
bringing written order from Lieutenant Cook the adj.
Ju,ant Of the regiment to this cnect"Bcntccn, como
on; big village; DO quick bring packs" And a
postscript saying, "Bring packs" mile or a milo
ana half further on nrst in sight Of tho valley
and Little Big Horn. About twelve fifteen dis
mounted lighting the plains with Indians,
charging and rccharging them. THIS body numbered
about 90o this tino Colonel Reno's mounted party
wero retiring across the river the bluffs did not
recognize t later what part Of the command this was
but was clear they had boon beaten. then marched
my command IN limo to their On reaching tho
bun reported to Colonel Reno and nrst carncI that
the command had been separated and shat Custer was
that pari Of the ncd and ono OF Renos CON-
mand able TO inform Of the whereabouts OF
General Custer. While the command awaiting tho
arrival Of tho pack mules company was sent forward
the direction supposed to have been taken BY Custer
Alter proceeding about mile they were attacked and
driven back During this time heard heavy nring
and there nothing to tudic,te that . heavy ngh,
vas going on, and believe that this time Cus,crs
immediate command had been annhilatcd.
Tho rest OF the story you must cot from Colonel
Reno, .. no ssok command and knows moro than soy
one else.
As Colonel Bcntecn would 20 your correspond
ent sought Colonel Reno again and asked him 10
hnish The narrative, when no consented to do
Rxxo's STATEMENT.
on the Of the company and the closing up Of
the pack males which occurred about the same TINE
tho whole command moved forward, proceeding about
mile and bait During this time dropping shots
we're heard SO numerous we're the masses Of Indians
encountered thai the command was obliged 10 dis