Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-03-24
THE CUSTER MASSACRE.>

Of "Greasy Grass Crock "...IIow tho An
preaching Troops were Dlscovcrcd..-Th
Brayest Men tho Indians ever NIct..Foriu
nate Arrival Of tho "Waiking Soldiers"
Gen, Sheridan has received M i'm
portant communication from the army II
the West detailing the story Of the Gus
ter massacre, az told by Red Horse, ~
Indian chief, who was present and tool
part in the fight. Since that time Rec
Horse and number G Ill warriors have
surrendered. Red Horse says;
On Greasy Grass creek was the main
camp of the hostiles at that time. wal
one of the head council men in that camp
My lodge was situated in the center o.
the camp. The Uncapapas, Yanktonnai'
and Santees were camped northeast OF
me, Oh the right, facing the battlefield.
The Minneconjons, Sans-Arcs, Two Ket'
ties and Brules were formed on the left.
To the west were the Ogallalas and
Cheyennes. On the morning of the Mt
tack, myself and several women We're out
about II mile from camp, gathering wild
turnips. Suddenly one of the women
called my attention to cloud Of dust
rising in the neighborhood of the camp.
/ soon discovered that troops were max
ing IN attack. We ran for the camp,
aud when 7 got there was sent for Mt
once to come to the council lodge. |
found many of the council men already
there when l arrived. We had no time
20 consult one another as to what action
we should take. We gave directions i'm
mediately for every Indian to get his
horse and arms for the women and chill
drcn to mount the horses and get ont Of
the way, and for the young men to go
and meet the troops.
Among the troops was IN officer who
rode horse with four white feet. The
Indians have fought great many tribes
of people, and very brave ones, too, but
they nil say that this man was the bravest
man they had ever met. L don't know
whether this man was General Custer or
not. Some say he was Custer. saw
the man in the fight several times, but
did not see his body. 1t is said he was
killed by Santee, who still holds his
horse. This officer wore large brimmed
hat, and buckskin coat. He alone saved
his command number of times by turn
ing on his horse in the retreat. In
speaking of him, the Indians call him
the oman who rode the horse with four
white feet There we're two men of his
description looking very much alike,
both having long yellowish hair.
NorE:-lt is believed that Gen. Gus
ter's hair was cut comparatively short at
the time of his death.
Sometime before this fight we were
on the Rosebud, but we moved,
crossed over and struck a tributary of
Greasy Grass creek, following it down
to its mouth. We then crossed Greasy
Grass creek and went into camp on the
west bank. An Indian started to go to
Red Cloud agency that day, and when
lust rising. He turned back and reported
hata large herd Of buffalo was approach
ng the camp. The day was very warm,
nd Il short time after he reported this
he camp was attacked by troops, who
lad followed our trail down the tributary
md crossed Greasy Grass creek n little
Il, 1,
II this tributary. They attacked the up
'er end of the camp, where the Uncapa-
ms were. The women and children fled |
down Greasy Grass creek Il
title way, and crossed over. The troops |
et fire to the lodges. All orr warriors
hen rallied, and attacked this command
Il an overwhelming force, and drove them
Il confusion across the creek. They ford
ID over place below where they first
rosscd. The creek was very high and
wifi, and several Of the troops were
lrownel.
After driving thi, party bacll, the III
lans corraled them Oh the top of n high |
ill, and held them there until they saw
hat the women and children were in
langer OF being made prisoners by an
ther party of troops which just then
lade Its appearance below. The word
PASSED among the Indians like whirl-
Wind, and they all started to attack this
ew party, leaving the troops on the hill.
from this hill to the point where the
roops were seen below it was open
round all the way, with the exception
f the small tributary l spoke OF before.
IS soon us we had finished the fight we
IL went back to mls,acre the troops on
he hill. After skirmithing around
while we saw the walking soldiers COM
ng. These new troops making their
ppearance was the saving of the others.
The attack was made on the camp about
loon. The troops, it appears, were di-
ided, one party charging right into the
amp. We drove them across the creek.
When we attacked the other party, we
warmed down on them and drove them
Il confusion. No prisoners were taken.
Ii were killed. None were left alive
ven for few minutes. Tne3e troopers
sed very few OF their cartridges. took
gun and a couple Of belts off two dead |
len. Out of one belt two cartridges
iere gone; OFT of the other five. It was
18th captured ammunition aud arms
hat we fought the other body OF troops.
If they had all remained together they
'ould have hurt us very badly. The
arty we killed made five different starts.
)nce we charged right in until we scat
cred the whole of them, fighting among
hem hand to hand. One band of
oldiers was right il the rear OF us when
hey charged. We fell back, and stood
OF one moment facing each other. Then
he Indians got courage, and started for
hem in Sc lid body. We went but
title distance when we spread out and
ncircled them. All the time 1 could see
heir officers riding in front and hear
hem shouting to their men. It was in