The New York herald., 1876-07-08

Lieutenant varnum
Lieutenant Hare
In tho OF The enclosure depression in the
surface which the wounded were sheltered covered
with canvas
Reno 9 command had been lighting from Sunday
noon. the 25th, until the night OF the 2oth, when
Terry's arrival caused the Indians TO retire Up this
slime Reno and those with him In complete gnor-
Of the fate Of the other nvs companies which had
been separated from them the 25th to make an
Nttack under Custer the village ut another point
or cusraK TRAIL
While preparations were being made for the removal
Of tho wounded party scnt on Custcrs trail TO
look for traces Of his command. They found awaiting
them sight t TO appa the stoutest heart Al point
about three miles down the right bank Of the stream
Custer had evidently attempted to lord and attack The
village from the ford The trail found to load
back up TO the bluffs and to the northward,
II tho troops had been repulsed and compelled to
retreat and Ihe time bad been or from re.
gaining the forces under Reno. The bluffs along the
right bank come sharply down TO the water and are
interspersed BY numerous ravnes all along the slopes
and ridges and in the ravines lying they fought
line behind line, showing whore defensive positions
had SUCCESSFULLY taken up and held till
len to fight, there, huddled in narrow compass,
horses and men were piled promiscuously.
CUSTER DEArH
Al the highest point OF the ridge lay Custer, sur.
rounded by chosen band Here his two brothers
and his nephew, Mr.. Reed; Coones Yates and Cooke,
and Captain Smith, all lying circle Of few yards
their horses beside them. Here, behind Yates CON-
pauy last stand had been made and here after
mother these last survivors Of Cusers Ave companies
had their death. The companies had successfully
thrown themselves across the path of tho advancing
enemy and had been annihilated. Not . man has
escaped tell the tale, but II inscribed the
face of the barron hills In language more eloquent
than words. Two hundred and sxty-ono bodies have
been buried from Custers and Reno's commands. The
last found that Of Mr.. Kellogg correspondent
OF tho Ngw YORK HERALD. The following she
names of the officers whose rccognized:-
TIM DEAD.
General Custer
Colonel Keogh.
Colonel Yates
Colonel Custer
Colonel Cooke
Captain smith
Lieutenant McIptosh.
Lcutenant Calhoun.
Lieutenant Hodgson.
Lieutenant Reilly.
All Of these belonged 10 the Seventh cavalry.
Lieutenant Crt,cnden, of the Twentieth infantry,
WAS serving temporarily with tho resimeat
MISSING
Lieutenants Porter, Sturgcs and HARRINGTON and
Assistant Surgeon Lord reported missing Is their
remains not recognized but there small ground
10 hopo that any OF them survived, IL is obvious
that the troops completely surrounded by force
II ten times their number
ALL THAT rs KNOWN
Tho history of Reno's operations comprises all that
now known OF this sanguinary affair 1t seems that
Custer with eight companies reached the the
OF the 2bh having marched continuously oil
Tho previous day and night Seeing the upper or
southern extremity of the village and probably under
estimating its extent he ordered Reno ford the river
and charge tho village with threo companies while he
with nve companies. moved down tho right bank and
behind the buf to mako . similar attack at the
other end Reno mado bis charge, put finding
that be dealing with force many
times his own numbers dismounted his men and
sought shelter in the timber which frinsed the river
bank. The position appearing to him untenabie. he
rsmounted and cut his way to the river, forded un-
der murderous fire. and gained the bluG, where he
was subsequently found. Hero he aftcrward
Joined by Colonel Bentecn with the three companes
which had just reached the field, and BY Captain Nc
Dougall, with his company and the PACK musa The
position was immediately after completely invested By
The Indians, who. for more than twenty -four hours a.
loved ths garrison rest and inflicted severe loss.
But for tho timely arrival Of relief tho would
have been cut on to . Tho number saved with
Reno was $50. including nity-ono wounded.
LOSS INDIANA
Tho loss among the Indians was probably consider
able as bodies have been ouud In every direction and
shey left behind only small portion OF their dead
We renamed nearly two DAYS tho scene OF this
disaster bury the dead and prepare for transporting
country was still full OF scattering bands Of Indians
watching our movements and doubtless prepared to
take advantage OF any want OF vigilance add the
number OF their victims.
REMOVING WOUNDED.
A species OF rude horse litter constructed or
poles and strips OF hide and these the disabled
were carried twenty miles the fork Of the Big Horn
uhere they placed board the steamer and last
night they brought down to the junction with the
Yellowstone Tomorrow the steamer will convey the
poor fellows 10 Fort Lincoln
Th closing my hasty narrative OF this snair in
tain respects the most remarkable In modern history
I purposeiy refrain from comment The naked facts
so fv as they are known must guide your readers
conclusion as 10 the causes OF the calamity.
srKKScva OF THE INDIANS
Information derived from many sources, including
OF course the observations Of officers engaged in the
BATTLE leads to the conclusion that 500 or 200 In
isns composed the lighting force arraycd against Gus.
YER and his 6o0 Still, these odds which any ON
OF the Seventh cavalry would have unhesitatnsiy
accepted for his regiment under any ordinary circum
stances OF Indian warfare.
rsRRys oPExArIoyA
The force under General rerry's immediate command
vas designed not only to cut or the retreat OF the
Indians but TO afford support to Custer needed Its
march was made in accordance with the plan
communicated to each OF the subordinate leaders before
the movement commenced II reached the point
where the battle was expected at the time proposed
and had no, the action been precipatcd reasons
which are as yet unknown, force would have besn
present the field sufficient retrieve any rcpuIse Of