The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-07-14
DEATH OF GENERAL CUSTER.
disastrous Battle with tIle sioux.

s
Disastrous Battle with tIle sioux.
CuIcAGo, July THE Times Bis
nfarek special gives the following lar
ticulars of the Caseer massacre: In 4
recent dispatch / informed yop thai
Custer expected to strike the Indians
and give them battle on the 9th. He
left the mouth of the Rosebud on the
22d with twelve companies of the 7th
cavalry, striking the trail where Reno
left IL, leading IN the direction of the
Little Horn, branch of the Big Horn.
On the evening of the oath, scouts dis
covered a fresh trail, and on the MORN
ing of the 25th discovered an Indian
village 20 miles above the mouth of
the Lite Horn, about three miles long
and halfa mile wide, fifteen miles
away. Custer pushed his command
rapidly, though they had made a long
march OF 78 miles in the "a hours pre-
eeding the battle, and when near the
village struck an abandoned tcpee,
while the Irdians were moving in hot
haste as if IN retreat. Reno, with
seven companies OF the 7th cavalry,
was ordered to the left to attack the
village at its head, while Custer, with
5 companies, went to the right and
commenced vigorous attack. Reno
fslt of them with three companies of
caYairy. and was almost Immediately
surrounded, and after an hour or more
Of desperate fighting, during which he
lost Its. Hodgson and Mcintosh, DIR.
DeWolf and ~ men with several In
dian scouts killed and many wounded,
be cut his way through the Indians.
crossed the river and gained bluff
800 feet in height, where he entrenched
and was soon joined by Colonel Benton
with four companies. In the meantime
the Indians resumed the attack, which
had abatcd in vigor tor an hour or so,
making repeated and desperate charges,
which were repulsed with great siangh-
ter to the Indians they gained higher
Bluffs, however, than the one occupied
by Reno, and as their arms were longer
range and better than the cavalry, they
kept up CALLING FIRE until nightiall.
During the night Reno strengthened
his position, and was prepared for the
attack, which was renewed at daylight.
The day wore ON. Reno had lost in
killed and wounded large portion OF
his command s--forty odd having been
killed before the bluff was reached
many of them in hand-to-hand conflict
with the Indians, who outnumbered
them ten to one, and his men had been
without water thirty-six hours. The
appeals Of the wounded for water were,
indeed, heartrending, while the Others
were almost exhausted, ,-in many in
stances their tongues protruding from
their mouths. and few could speak
aloud. They tried to eat crackers but
could not n1oisten them, while the grass
blades which some ate to give relief
eIung to their parcbed lips. III this
state of affairs they determined to gain
water at all hazards. and Col Benton
made rally with bis Company and
routed the main portion Of the indians
who were guarding The approach TO The
river, to which the soldiers ventured e
60 with camp kettles and canteens for
water. The Indian eIlarpshooters were
nearly opposite the mouth Of the rayiBs
through which the brave boys ap.
proaehed the river, but the attempt was
made, and though one man was killed
ard seven wounded, the water was
gained and the command relieved
When the lighting ceased for The night
Reno caused hia animals 70 be Likewise
relieved snd further prepared Tor tbs
attack which lie knew would be re
sunea on she Bext morning. 0ficer.
ara men kept IN good heart. but 81
wondered what bad become Of Custer
There had besn As hours sighting and
10 word from their respected eomnan.
der Eenty-tOur hours more 6ghting
and sns ssh epsued. when the indians
laasndoned their village in great con
fusion. Then Reno knew that succOl
wa n Gen. Terry. with Gibbons
Command and bis Oszn infantry, had
aarfgea and as The coisarasas p arnal
met, strong men FEept 90 Ellp flaeszs q
81 otteF After cOngI Sens x
tlaa llant commander for bic s1creas