Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-10
THE CUSTER BATTLE.
"A Report from the Battle
Field.
Description of the Ter.
rible Scene.

philadclph ia, July $. General Terry's report
dated June 9th, which was delayed on the Mon
tana telegraph lines, was received by Gen. Sheri
dan, last night 1t fully confirmed all already
published, and contains very few points Of inter-
est.
New York, July g. The following Is from
special correspondent, and Is dated Clusters Bat
tie Field, Little Horn June 2Sth, via Bismarck,
ID. T., July 8.
Couriers are about to leave with Gen. Terry's
despatch, and take advantage Of the opportunity
to send hasty and necessarily imperfect account
of the battle.
write from the scene of Clusters magnificent,
but terrible and fatal charge from plateau, on
which, but few hours since, saw at q glance
ll5 heroic soldiers of the 7th u s. cavalry, lying
where they fell at the hands Of a savage foe cold
and dead. Near the top of little knoll in the
center of this plateau, lay Custer himself, and it
touched my heart to see that the savages in kind
of human recognition Of heroic clay, had respected
the corpse of the man they knew we'll. Other
bodies were mutilated. Clusters was untouched,
tribute of respect from such an enemy more real
than title of nobility. Near him were eleven
and his brother, Capt Thomas Custer, en- his left.
Almost at Clusters feet lay far-faced, beautiful
boy of 10. THIS was young Reed Clusters neph-
ew. lie was visiting the General at the time he
was ordered ON this expedition, and insisted upon
coming with him.
In the field, little way of, lay Boston Custer,
another of the Generals brothers. Within few
feet of each other the three brothers had fallen.
On the skirmish line was the body of Lieut.. Cal
houn, husband of Clusters sister. Mrs. Calhoun
thus lost her husband, three brothers and a neph-
ew. Kellogg, the special correspondent of the N.
Y. Herald, was found on the skirmish line, near
Calhoun.
Upon this scene made memorable by such sac
rifce, one column, commanded by Gen. Gibbon,
came just in time time to rescue Col. ReuO men,
aced with the fate that had more rapidly overtak-
en- Custer, assailed 10 some poor entertainments by
1000 Sioux. Excited by the blood of Clusters men,
Reno, and what remained of the 9TH gallant caval
ry, must have fallen their comrades did, had
not the appearance of Gibbons column at the
mouth Of the Little Horn, alarmed the enemy,
| and caused their precipitate retreat.
Leavenworth, July =. General Pope has issued
orders directing Gen. Miles with six companies of
the 9TH Infantry to report at once to the scene Of
the Sioux war. The companies so ordered are
stationed, one at Fort Gibson, one at Fort Hay es,
one at Fort Riley and three at Fort Leavenworh.
Miles has the reputation of being one Of the best
Indian fighters in the army.
Chicago, July 8. A special states that des-
patches. via Fort Ellis, are expected from Gen.
Terry and also from Crooke. Four companies at
Detroit and on the Lake were last night ordered
Considerable anxiety is manifested at Sheridan s
headquarters concerning Crooke's command.
Nothing whatever has been heard from him since
the engagement on Rosebud, and it is not known
whether he has encountered the Indians again or
not.
1t is thought that he has again met them or ne
would have co-operated with Terry before this.
It is the belief headquarters that the recent de-
ieats of the regular troops will cause change in
the character Of the campaign and the troops will
be m ore united in order to successfully cope with
the Indians
LATER.
Gen. Terry's official report of Clusters slaughter
has been received at Sheridans headquarters, and
confirms the reports previously printed.