Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-07-14
THE sHADOwm THE VALLEY
A srsASG. MYSTERY OF THE CUSTER MAS
SAcRR.

along that creek where sc many of Re
nos men fell dead from their frantic
struggling horses-in the thickets and
along the ravines, shadow turks day
and night. The last scalp had hardly
been torn from the head of the cavalry
man who had crept into the long grass
to die. when this shadow skulked into
that valley of death and began dealing
out retribution.
The chief, Dull Knife, had much to
say about it the other week, when he
surrendered. He spoke in whispers
when he referred to it suddenly, ard
looked around, as if fearful that it was
softly stealing upon him to stab him IN
the back. -.
Crazy Horses men had something to
saw about it when they surrendered,
and when white men asked them who
or what they thought the shadow was,
they shook their heads and whispered 4:
"We killed 'em all, but there is one
left! 1t is white man. There is blood
on his face aud clothing. He carries
saber and two revolvers, and the night
wind blows his long yellow curls over
his shoulders. 1t is spirit sent by the
Great Manitou to watch over the graves
OF the white soldiers"
White men have seen the shadow.
Hunter, trapper, and scouts, who have
built their camp fires near that valley,
through which the big mountain wolf
skulks and prowls all night long, have
felt the presence of the mysterious shad,,,
ow or have seen it. They have fled
from their blankets at its sottest step,
and they have fired at it when only ten
feet away, and yet see it glide otf un-
harmed
1t is not a shadow of sentiment, bat
a being which demands vengeance for
the awful butchery of that little band OF
heroes-for the brave brothers who
grouped themselves around the noble
Custer and fought to the death, each
one lying within arms length of him
who foug ght fercest and longest. When
the soldiers moved out of the valley,
leaving near three hundred graves be-
hind them, the wolves rushed out from
can on and ravine and den to dig up the
fresh earth and feast on the brave dead
The shadow was before them-a sollta-
ry, mysterious and vigilant sentinel-to
guard those sacred'mounds. 1t scream
ed and gestured at the fierce beasts-lt
fired upon them with rifle and revolver,
and struck at them with bright keen
sabre. The wolves ran here and there,
from grave to grave, gnashing their
teeth in anger but the shadow closely
pursued. They formed in groups
in the midnight darkness, and wait
ed for the shadow to tire out, but
it paced up and down over the graves,
vgilant and unwearied, and daylight
came to hurry the wild beasts to their
lairs till another night. Hunters and
scouts have been there and seen the
sentinel beat over the graves-seen it
in the light of noonday,when men could
not be mistaken. 1t is a well beaten
path, which runs from grave to grave,
curying and winding to take in every
one, and now and then it comes close
enough to the creek for the strange SEN
tinel to hear the babble of the waters.
Scouts say its a path beaten by human
feet. The red chiefs say that shadow
or spirit could alone remain there
in that lonely spot, having only
the company of wild beasts and the
graves OF butchered men.
Once, when Dull Knife and trusty
few were scouting to learn the where
aboats of their white foes, they encamp-
ed in the valley for the night. The
shadow stole among them as they slept,
and when fierce scream aroused the
band from slumber five of the red men
had been murdered-each bronzed
throat slashed across with keen knife.
The shadow stood little ways off and
ieered and Knocked the living who hud-
died together like frightened children.
When they fled for their lives it pursu.
ed them with drawn sabre, and the chief
has scar On his shoulder to prove that
he was struck by the blade. Next day,
when full band of Indians marched
into the valley to solve the mystery
and secure revenge, they saw no living
thing. The bodies Of the dead warriors
were cut and hacked and gashed Five
of the poor cavalrymen whose brains
had been beaten out and limbs dismem-
bered had been avenged.
Before the crown of single grave
had sunk down Crazy Horse started to
cross the valley at midnight with his
lodges. The shadow confronted his
baud and Knocked them, and as the red
men hurried along in the darkness,
wildly recalling the mad charge of the
cavalry and the fierce desperation of the
surprised villagers, the strange shadow
skulked along with the column and fir
ed shot after shot into the band. They
fred at it, and pushed out to capture it,
but the shadow disappeared as shadows
do. The squaws, child or two, an
old man, and two warriors fell by the
bullets which the shadow fired. From
that time The red men avoided the val
ley as white men avoid the pest houses.
They would not cross or skirt it, even
at high noon, when the sunshine beat
down upon the graves and on the wa
tiers of the historic creek.
If this shadow was a shadow
mist, nothing-it could not beat paths,
nor laugh and jeer, nor cut throats and
fire rifes;and yet, if it was not a shadow,
how does it live! Is it some crazy hun
ter, whose befogged mind drank in the
story of the awful massacre and conceiv- |