The Morning herald., 1876-07-08
CLUSTERS LAST.
Further Particulars.
HE BATTLE GROUND
A Scene Of Horror.
HOW CUSTER DIED

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-, ,Anociated Press.
Il CAIcAG0, July IAN account Of the
Ountsr massacre, received from the mouth
~ tie Big Horn, dated July l, says: At
4 nooa on june sd, Custer, at the head Of
N hne regiment Of twelve veteran com
4 panies, left his camp, at the mouth of the
Y 4coebud, to follow the Sioux, whom he be-
\ l1eyed were In force. On the 26th, General
Terry, with his command, wearied by max
ing forced marches, were net by the Crow
scouts, who reported the massacre of Gus
ter,s command, which, however, was not
! credited. Still the report was not disre-
&anaod, and next morning at an early hour
the / ead Of the column entered plain half
: nile vide, bordering the left bank of the
Little Big Horn, where there had been az
fmmenee Indian village, extending three
milcS along the stream. and where were
seiL staDding several lodges, with horses
slaugh htered around them, and containing
the bodies of inc chiefs.
The ground was strewn everywhere Nth
cArcasses of horses and cavalry equipments,
besides buffalo robes, packages Of dried
meats and weapons, and utensils belonging
70 the Isnisns. +. On this part of the field
was found the clothing of LieutcnaHts
GtuFges and Porter, pierced with bullets, and
q bbood-stained gauntlet belonging to Col.
Yate, Farther on were found bodies of
men, among whom were recognized Lieut..
AcIntosh, the interpreter, from Fort Reid,
and Reynolds, the guide. The slopes were
dotted all over with bodies of men and
horses. On bluff near BY, waiting for re-
lief, was found the remnant of the Seventh
Cavalry, under Col. Reno, who greeted
Terry with hearty cheers. They had been
Sighting from Sunday noon 25th until the
night Of the 96th, when T,rry's approach
scared the Indians of. They were not
aware of Clusters fate. While preparations
were being made for the removal Of the
wounded party was sent on Clusters trai,
to look for traces of his command. They
found awaiting them a 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, and.attack the villages from the ford.
The trail was found to look back up to the
bluffs and to the northw2rd, as if the troops
had been repulsed and compelled to retreat.
and ut the time had been cut off from re
joining the forces under Reno. The bluffs
along the right bank come shortly down to
the water and are interspersed by ravines.
All along the slopes and ridges, and in the
ravines, lying as they had fought, were the
lines, showing where defensive positions had
been successfully taken up and held till none
were left to fight; then huddled into mar
row compass, horses and men were piled
promiscuously. At the highest point of the
ridge lay Custer, surrounded by chosen
nxrou sc tvrO hrn< hnr ov,I -
nephew, Mr.. Reed, Colonels Yate and Cook,
and Captain Smith, all living in a circle. a,
few yards their horses beside them. The
last body found was that of kellogg, cor
respondent of the Bismarck Tribune and
New York Herald. 26l bodies have been
buried go far.
The Indians, for more than twenty-four
hours, allowed the garrison no rest, and in
hicted severe loss. But for the timely arri-
val of relief tine command .so,.,,,a have ,.cau
cut of to man. The number saved with
Reno was 329, including 81 wounded. The
loss among the Indians was probably con-
siderable ,as bodies have been found in every
direction, and they left behind only small
portion of their dead.
We remained nearly two days on the scene
\ OF this disaster, at burying the dead and
prepared for Transporting the wounded to
place of safety. The leighboring country
was full of scattering bands of Indians
watching our movements, doubtless prepar-
ed TO take advant lge of any want of vigi-
lance to add to the number of their victims
A species of rude horse litters was con.
structed of poles and strips of hide and on
these the disabled were carried twenty miles
to the forks of the Big Horn
where they were placed on board
the steamer, and last night they were
brought down to the junction with the Yel-
l0wstone. Tomorrow the steamer will
carry the poor fellows to Fort Lincoln
General Gibbons cavalry followed the In
dfans for about ten miles, and ascertained
that they had moved to the south and west
by several trails. A good deal of property
had been thrown away by them to tighten
their march, and was found scattered for
many miles over the prairie. Many of their
dead were also discovered secreted in ra-
vines, amongst them Arrappahoes and
Cheyennes.