The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-08-09
THE INDIANS.
Gen Reno Defen DIS His Action at the Bat.
tie of Little Big Horn.

eSen Keno Defen DIS III is Action the Init
tie Of Little Big Horn.
New YORK, Aug. 8 -General Rosser having
charged General Reno with failing to JOIN
General Custer in his battle with Sitting Bull,
SO az to prevenG the wholesale slaughter and
added to the charge his belief that General Gus.
ter had arranged the place of Junction with
General Reno before the battle, the latter has
published reply. Gen. Reno says
l was the advance and first to be engaged
and diaw fire, aad was consequently the one to
be supported, and not the one from which sup
port could be expected. All know of General
Custer from the time he ordered me- to attack
till 1 saw him buried, is that he did not follow
my trail, but kept on his side of the river, and
along the crest Of the bluffs on the opposite
side from the village and from my command.
That be heard and saw my action believe
though could not see him, and it is just here
that the Indians deceived US. At this time
was driving the N with ease, and his trail shows
that he moved rapidly down the river for three
miles. to the ford. at which he attempted to
crOss into their village, with the conviction
that be would strike a rctreating enemy.
Trumpeter MARTIN of Company 81. who, the
last time OF any living person, heard and saw
General Custer, and who brought the last or.
der his adjutant, Colonel Cooke, ever penciled,
says he lett the general at the summit of the
highest bluff on that side and which overlooked
the village, and my first battlefield, and as he
turned, General Custer raised his hat and gave
yell. saying that they were asleep in their
tepees and surprised, and directed his men to
charge. Cookies order, sent to Benton, which
l afterward saw and read, said, "Big village
Big thing. Bring up the packs"
General Clusters disaster was not the defeat
Of the seventh cavalry, who held their ground
numbered ten to one. The Indians made Gen.
Custerconfident by appearing to be stampeded
and, undoubtedly, when he arrived at the ford
expecting to 60 with case through their viii
lage, he rode into an ambuscade of, at least,
1000 Indians. My getting the command of the
pre-arranged plan. Benton and McDougal ar
rived separately and saw the command on the
bluffs, and came to it. They did not 90 into
the bottom at all. After the junction, they
attempted to go down the trail of General
Custer, but the advance company soon sent
back word that they were being surrounded.
Crowds of Indians were seen on all sides of us
and General Clusters fate had evidently been
settled.
knew the position had first taken on the
bluff was near and stlorg one. and l at once
moved there, dismounted and herded the mack
train, and had but just time to do SO when thew
came upon me by thousands. Had we been
twenty minutes later 10 effecting the junction.
not man OF that regiment would be living
to-day to tell the tale.
Colonel Benton, III an interview, sustains
and corroborates General Renos statement.
A Massacre Feared.
1t is reported that between two and three
thousand indians are encamped on the north
fork OF the Red River. twenty five miles from
Fort Eliot, preparing for the war-path. Citizens
IN that vicinity fear general massacre, as
most of the troops are being sent to reinforce
General Crook.
All the Indians who come to Fort Reno to
draw rations are 10 be dsarmed. Two artillery
companies from the east will garrison Fort
Hayes, from which latter point comes rumor
that three MennOnites have been scalped near
Smoky Hill.
A Steamer Attacked by the savages.
ST.. PAUL, Aug IA Bismarck special of
to-day to the Pioneer-Press and Tribune saws
the steamer Carroll arrived this morning from
zen. Ierry's camp, having on board Gen. For
syth and 20 sick and wounded soldiers. The
carroll on her way up. when near the mouth of
Powder river, found Indians on both sides of
the river, and for two and half hours they
Kept up running fire upon the boat, only
woundiDg, however, one soldier slightly, The
steamer Far West, after leaving Buford for
Terry's camp, found her load too heavy and
discharged part of her CARGO principally
grain, about rs miles from Baford.
On her return for the balance of her cargo,
the Indians were found to have destroyed most
OF the grain, and at this point the Indians
attacked the Far West. She had on board
Colonel Moore, with three companies of SOL
diers. The Indians stood on both banks of the
river, and with oaths dared Col Moore and his
troops to leave the boat and land. A few
shells were fired from a twelve-pounder, which
scattered the Indians and they disappeared
from the south bank.
Dave Campbell, pilot of the Far West, with
two scouts then landed and went out to recon-
noitre but tineing the Indians were endeavor-
Jog to cut them off from the boat, they turned
their horses heads and started as fast as DOS.
sibe for the boat. Seven Sioux had circed go
as to Inherent them, and it became a race for
dear life. The horse of one of the scouts
began to fail behind and was soon shot The
scout started on foot, but it was no USE
The same Sioux who had killed his horse sooa
reached bin and put bullet through his
lungs. Dave Campbell heard the shot, and
looking behind saw the Indian. The scout
laying 90 the ground said to the other scout
with him. "We must get back and get that
man." Although it was as much as their lives
we're worth, they stood up and as they did so
they saw the Sioux dismounted from bis pony.
ana fired; the Sioux fell with his scalping
knife IN his baud. Dave and the scout then
scalped the Sioux and started with the wound
ed man for the Far West"