Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-07-13

10Th. IN this way only could the in
famtry Ne made available, as it would
not do to cucumber Custer's march
with foot troops.''
Gibbons command, on the first day
marched thirty five miles to the mouth
OF tho Little Big Horn, in the hopes
of opening communication with Custer.
Twenty.nine miles were made on
the second day, and on the third evil
dences of the unprecedented fight
were early met with. The col.
umn soon arrived on the site of
an immense Indian village, extending
three miles along the stream, and
where were stl}) standing two funeral
lodges, with no ses slaughtered around
them, and cont lining the bodies of
nine chiefs. T. ground was strewn
everywhere with carcasses of horses
and cavalry equipments, besides buffa.
10 robes, packages Of dried meat, and
weapons and utensils belonging to the
Indians. On this part of the field was
found the clothing of Lieutenants Stur.
gis and Porter, pierced with bullets,
and blood.stained gauntlet belonging
to Col. Fales. Further on wus found
the bodies Of men, among whom were
recognized Lieut.. Mcintosh, the inter.
prefer from Fort Rice, and Reynolds,
the guide.
"Just then a breathless scout arrived,
with the intelligence that Colonel Re-
no, with a remnant of the Seventh
cavalry, was entrenched on bluff
near by, waiting for relief. The CONS
mand pushed rapidly on. and soon
came in sight of a group surrounding a
cavalry guidon. upon a lofty eminence
on the right bank of the river. Gen
eral Terry forded the stream, accom-.
panied by q small party, and rode to
the spot, All the way the slopes were
dotted with the bodies of men and
horses.
The General approached, the men
swarmed out of the works and greeted
him with hearty and repeated cheers.
Within were found Reno with the re:
mains of seven companies of the regi-
ment:
His command had been fighting from
Sunday noon of the 25th until the
night of the Goth, when General Terry
arrived, which caused the Indians to
retire. Up to this time Reno and those
with him were in complete ignorance
of the fate of the other five companies,
which had been separated from them
early on the 25th, to make an attack
under Custer on the village at another
point. Willie preparations were being
made for the removal of the wounded.
a party was sent ON Clusters trail to
look for traces of his command. They
found awaiting them sight tit to ap-
pail the stoutest heart.
'sAt point about three miles down
the right bank of the stream, Custer
had evidently attempted to ford and
attack the village from the ford. The
trail was found to lead back up the
bluff and to the northward, as if the
troops had been repulsed and CON-
PEELED to retreat, and at the same time
had been cut off from regaining the
forces under Reno. The bluffs along
the right bank come sharply down to
the water, and are interspersed by MI.
merous ravines.
"All along the slopes and ridges, and
in the ravines, lay the dead, arranged
in order of battle. lying as they had
fought, line behind line,. showing
where the defensive positions had
been successfully taken up, and held
till none were left to fight. There,
haddled in a narrow compass, horses
and men were piled promiscuously.
cat the highest point of the ridge
lay Custer, surrounded Ivy a chosen
band. Here were his two brothers
and his nephew, Mr.. Reed, Colonels
Yates and Cooke, and Captain Smith,
all lying in 4 circle of a few yards,
their horses beside them. Here, be.
hind Yates company, the last stand
had been made, and here one after an.
other these last survivors of. Custer s
five companies had met their death.
The companies had successfully throwt
themselves across the path of the ad'
vancing enemy, and had been annihila
ed.''
Not man had escaped to tell the
tale, L It it was inscribed on the sur
face IT. these barren hills in language
more eloquent than words.
1t seems that Custer, with eight com
panies, reached the river on the fore
noon of the 25th, having marched con
tinually all the previous day and night
Seeing the upper or southern extrem
ity of the village, and probably under
estimating its extent, he ordered REM
to ford the river and charge the vii
lage with three companies, while he
with five companies. would go dow
the righi bank behind the bluffs tt
make similar attack at the other end
Reno made his charge, but finding tina
he was dealing with force man.
i times his own in numbers, dismOunte.
his men and sought setter in the tim
Der, which fringed the river bank
This position, however, appearing t
him untenable, he remOunted and Gu
his way to the river, forded under
murderous fire, and gained the blu
. where he was subsequently found
Here he was afterward joined by Co
Benteen with three companies whic
had just reac. led the field, and by Cal
tain McD Dougall, with his company an
the pack mules. The position was In
! mediately after completely invested b
the Indians, who for more than twent.
!, four hours allowed the garrison n
! rest, and INJECTING severe loss. Bl
for the timely arrival of relief th
! command would have been cut off to
man.
Il s.In closing my hasty narrative
this affair. In certain respects the mo-
hideously remarkable in modern hi
3 tory, / purposely refrain from con
= ment. The naked facts, so far as tht
are known, must guide your reade
to- q conclusion as to the cause Of Il
, calamity. nfoEmation derived .tro