The New York herald., 1876-07-08

river bottom, covered with growth OF cottonwood
trees and bushes. After scattering shots were
nred from the hills and few from the
river bottom and Reno's skirmishers returned
the Shots he advanced about mile from the ford to
line Of timber on the right and dismounted 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
Indians. mounted ponies came across the prsi-
res and opened heavy fire on the soldiers. After
skirmishing 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 cut
ting him of 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 in the timber, fired at close
range and killed one soldier. Colonel Reno
then commanded the men to dismount, and they
did So bu. he soon ordered them to mount again
and moved out on to the open prairie. The COM
mand headed for the ford pressed closely by Indians
in large numbers, and at every moment the rate OF
speed was increased until II became dead run for
ponies, dashed up by the side Of the soldiers and
fired at them, killing both men and horses. Little
resistance was offered and IL was
COMPLETE Rour
to the ford did not see the men at the ford, and
do not know what took place further than good
many were killed when the command len the tim
Der. Just as I got out my horse stumbled and fell
and | was dismounted, the horse running away
after Reno's command. | saw several soldiers
who were dismounted, their herses having been
killed or having run away There were also some
soldiers mounted who had remained behind. ]
should think in all there were many as thirteen
soldiers, and, seeing no chance to get away
called them to come into the timber
and we would stand or the Indians. Three
of the soldiers were wounded, and two Of them
80 badly they could not their The soldiers
wanted to go out, but said no, can't get to the
ford, and, besides, We have wounded men and must
stand by them. The soldiers stil wanted to CO. but
told them ] was an old frontlersman
said, would get them out Of the
scrape, which was no worse than scrapes had been
In before. About half Of the men were mounted,
and they wanted to keep their horses with them,
but l told them to let the horses go and tight on
foot. We staid in the bush about three hours,
and could hear heavy firing below In the river,
apparently about two miles distant. did not know
who 1t was, but knew the Indians were fighting
some of our men, and learned afterward II was
Custer's command Nearly all the Indians In the
upper end Of the valley drew OF down the river and
the fight with Custer lasted about one hour
when the heavy firing ceased. 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 CO. but waited for night told them the
Indians would come back and We had better be OF
at once.
MARROW ESCAPE.
Eleven Of the thirteen said they would CO. but
two stayed behind deploycd the men as skirmish
ers and we moved forward on foot toward the river
When we had got nearly to the river we
met five Indians pones and they fired
broke and we then forded the river the water being
breast deep. We finally got over, wounded men and
ALL and headed for Renos command, which could
see drawn up on the bluifs along the
river about q nile off, We reached Reno
in safety. We had not been with Reno
more than hteen minutes when saw the
Indians coming up the valley from Custers fight.
Reno was then moving his whole command down
the ridge toward Custer. The Indians crossed the
river below Reno and swarmed up the blur
on all sides. After skirmishing with them
Reno went back to his old position
which was on one of the highest points along the
bluns. 1t was now about five O'clock and the fight
lasted until it too dark to to shoot AS soon
as 1t was dark Reno took the packs and saddles Off
the mules and horses and made breastworks OF them
He also dragged the dead horses and mules on line
and sheltered the men behind them. Some Of the
men dug rifle pits with their butcher knives and all
slept ON their arms At the peep Of day the
Indians opened heavy nre, aud
DESPERATE FIGHT
ensued lasting until ten o'clock, The Indians
charged our position three or four times, CON-
Ing up close enough to hit our men with
stones, which they threw by hand. Captain
Benteen saw a large Of Indians gather
ing on his front to charge, and ordered
his men to charge on foot and scatter them. Ben
teen led the charge and was upon the Indians be-
fore they knew what they were about, and killed
great many. They were evidently much surprised
ut this offensive movement, and ! think in
desperate fighting Benteen Is one OF the bravest
men ever saw in q fight All the time he was
going about through the bullets, encouraging the
soldiers TO stand up to their work and not let
Indians whip them.