Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-07-20

SCALE 1,N.ro MILE.
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Reno went back to his old position,
which was one of the highest points
along the bluffs. 1t was now about 5
O'Clock, and the fight lasted until it
was too dark to see to shoot. AS soon
as it was dark, Reno took the packs
and saddles off the mules and horses
and maoe breastwOrks of them. lie
also dragged the dead horses and mules
on the line and sheltered the men be-.
hind them. Some of the men dug
rit1e.pits with their butcher knives,
and all slept on their arms. At tho
peep of day the Indians opened Il heavy
fire, and a desperate fight ensued, last
ing until 10 O'Clock. The Indians
charged our position three or four
times, coming up close enough to hit
our men with stones, which they
threw by hand. Captain Benteen saw
Il large mass of Indians gathering on
his front to charge, and ordered
his men to charge on foot and scatter
them. Benteen led the charge, and
was upon the Indians before they knew
what they were about, and killed Il
great many. They were evidently
much surprised ut this offensive move.
ment, and I think in desperate fighting
Benteen is one of the bravest men I
ever saw in fight. All the time he
was going about through tho bullets,
encouraging the soldiers to stand up to
their work and not let Indians
whip them.
"He went among the horses and
pack-mules and drove out the men who
were skulking there, compelling them
to go into the line and do their duty.
He never sheltered his own person
once during the battle, and I Go not
see how he escaped being killed. The
desperate charging and lighting was at
about l O'Clock; but firing was kept
up on both sides until late in the If
ernOOn.
SUFFERING OF TIE MEN.
81 forgot to state that about 10
o'clock in the forenoon, and soon after
Benteen made his charge, the men be.
gan to clamOr for water. Many of
them had not tasted water for thirty
six hours, and the fighting and hot
sun parched their throats. Some had
their tongues swollen ana others could
hardly speak. Tho men tried to eat
crackers and hardtack, but could not
raise enough saliva to moisten them.
Several tried grass, but it stuck to
their lips, and not one could spit or
speak plainly. The wounded were re-
ported dying for want of water. and a
good many soldiers volunteered to 90
to the river to get some or perish in
the attempt. We were fighting on the
bluffs, about 800 yards from the river,
and ravine led down from the battle
field close to the river edge.
The men had to run over ;n open
space of about 100 yards to get into
the head of the ravine, and this open
space was commanded by the Indians
on the bluffs. The soldiers, about fifty
strong, dashed over the open plateau
and entered the ravine. They rushed
down it to the mouth and found it
closely guarded by. a party of Indians
posted in the timber across the river.
The, water could be approached to
within about so feet under cover but
then one had to step out on the river
bank and take the Indians fire. The
boys ran the gauntlet bravely. Some
would dash down to the river with
camp kettles, fill them, and then take
shelter in the bend of the ravine, be-
hind the rocks, and whose canteens
were filled and carried up the hill.
Before all the men and wounded were
supplied one man was killed and six
or seven wounded in this desperate at
tempt. One man had the bone of his
leg shattered by a ball. and it has since
been amputated.
stAbout 2 O'Clock the Indians began
drawing off, but kept skirmishing un'
| til late in the afternoon, and near dark
all drew off. We now got water fol
the animals, many of them being al
most dead, and they were put out to
Craze on the hillside.
s'In the evening Col. Reno changed
his position and fortified the new one.
it being higher and stronger than the
old one. We expected the Indians
would renew the attack next day, but
in the morning not IN Indian was to be
found. Every one felt sure that Crook
or Terry was coming to our relief, and
Col. Reno sent out runners. About II
o'clock the glad intelligence was re
ceived that Gen. Terry, with a large
column of troops, was moving up thu
valley, 6 miles distant, and the heat
of his column soon came in sight,
In reply to questions, Mr.. Herndol
said: ..............
II went in with the scouts on tn,
left of Reno's line. There were abou
sixty of us, thirty-five being Rec In
dians, six friendly Sioux, six Grows
and the rest white men. I saw Blood,
Knife, Rec Scout, throw up his arm
and fall over, and think he wa
killed. The two cavalry soldiers lef
on the timber when went out .rav
no doubt were killed, as they have no
been seen since.
1t is said that if a man is walkin
Tor health and enjoyment, four mile
, an hour is the best gait. This may b
true as regards health, but for enjo,
ment we remember one night whe
, it took us over four hours to walk
. mile. 1t happened, however, that tn
old folks had gone to camp-metin
, and she had the night key, and as fl
as health was concerned we din
!, I.eaL care if it took all night.