The New York herald., 1876-07-11
lodge. Game was very scarce, and no buffalo at all

lodgea Game was very scarce, and no buffalo at all
rnE YELLOWSTONE RIVER
is looming high and its so swift, cddying
and whirng as create seething sound like that OF
a soft wind rustiiLg in the tall grass Its color
semLles yelIowssh clay at this point 1t is cool and
pleasant tho taste and larger body OF water than
that Of tho Missouri River above ITS mouth but very
much superior purposes OF steamboat navigation.
The waters OF the Tongue River OF a decpish red
color running swiftly, md not very paIaablc to the
| taste.
A STARTLING STORY.
On the 10th Of June General Custer with six com.
panies cavalry, crossed the Tongue River, about
three miles from It's mouth, by fordng and marched
to point about nine miles above where Major Reno.
with six companies OF tho Seventh cavalry were in
camp. having returned from the scout he ordered
| upon; but, for unknown 10 your corre-
spondent, Major Reno was unfortunate enough not
only exceed but dsobey the orders and instruc
tions of General Terry, copy Of which Is sub
joined viz -
ORDER
| HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA.
In THE FIELD, CAMP on POWDER RivhR NJ T.,
June TO- 1876
| Fold special orders, No q
Major 81 A. Reno, Seventh cavalry, with six
companies (rght wing) of his regiment and ona gun
from the Calling battery will proceed at the earliest
practicable moment to make q reconnaissance Of the
Powder River from the present camp to the mouth OF
| tho Inn ha loat int bo will
cross TO the head waters OF Mzpah Creek and do
scend tha; creek to its junction with Powder River
Thence he will cross to Pumpkin Greek and Tongue
River and descend the Tongue to Its junction with tho
Yellowstone where he may expect meet the remain
ing companies of the Seventh cavalry and supplies of
| subsistence and forage.
Major Rcnos command will be supplied with subsst-
enco for twelve days, and with forage for the
ported at the OF pounds of grain per day for
each animal
The guide Mitch Bouyer and eight Indian scouts. TO
be detailed by Lieutenant Colonel Custer, will report
TO Major Reno. for duty with this column.
Acting Assistant Surgeon H. r. Porter is detailed for
duty with Major Reno BY command OF Brgadier
General Terry.
EDw. SMITH, Captain Eighteenth infantry.
Acting Assistant Adjutant General
MAJOR RESos ERROR.
Major Reno made u that he crossed, 60
ing due south course, from tho forks Of the Pow
der River to the Rosebud River, where he found
fresh hostile trail General Terry had planned to have
Major Reno return the column, marching down tho
1
junction General Custer organize his regiment
for scout up the valley of the Tongue, thence
to the Rosebud, striking its head; thence down
that valley toward General Terry, who would in the
meantime movc by steamer to tho mouth OF the Rose
bud, join General Gibbons command transfer 1t
tho Yellowstone; then at tho head Of Gibbons
airy, march up that valley until he met and Joined
General Custer. The plan excellent one, and
but for the unfortunate movement Of Major Reno tho
main force Of the Indians. numbering 800, would
have been bagged. Asi it's,
| CAMPAIGN ORGANIZED,
and tomorrow, June % General Custer, with twelve
cavalry companies, will scout from its mouth up the
valley OF tac Rosebud until be reaches IN freTh trail
discovered by Major Reno and that trail with
all the rapidty possible in order to overhaul the In
dians whom it has been ascertained hunting
buffalo and making daily and eisurely short MARCHES
In the meantime General Terry will movo on the
steamer the mouth Of tho Big Horn River, scouting
Pumpkin Creek route with General Gibbons cavalry
as well as infantry which marching toward the Big
Horn on the north of the Yellowstone This part
Of the command will march up the Big Horn Valley in
order to intercept Indians they should attempt
escape from General Custer down that avenue. The
hope strong, and, believe, vol founded, that
this band Of ugly customers. known as
SITTING BULLS BAND,
will be "gobblcd" and dealt with as they deserve
General Custer's command made q rapid march from
Tongue River to the Rosebud. ovor some portion OF
which the route covered
TIE xAuvAisrs rERRns
in its ugliest forms up and down and dsseents
so abrupt rs to appear impossible for ocomoton,
cutting and twisting hithcr and thither-now along
narrow denle then through a deep, abrupt canyon in
which the sun's rays created warm, sti atmosphere
that caused painting breahs and rcekng pcrspration.
However, the sharp quick march Of tho cavalry kept
pase with the steamer which running up tho Yel
lowstone Frequently by US In the the light
coored bucksKu suit tho person Of General Custer
would be seen, followed closely by the head Of the
column, he and thoy climbed tho heights from out
the winding, yawning abysses below
| rmE LAND IMPROVES.
A we proceed further up the valley Of the Yellow
stone River It's attractions become more marked more
defined and more beautiful. Vegetation increases in
size, in tho grasses as we'll as in tho umbor Beau
tul little islands frequently scen covered to their