Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-04-21
CuSter's Last Battle.

The story OF the massacre of Gen.
Custer and his command, as told by
cred Horse" the MinnecOnious'
chief, is of brilliant interest. The
narrative as interpreted to Col.
Wood, commanding post at Cheyen-
ne, Oak, has been received at Gen.
Sheridan's Headquarters. The de-
tails Of the fierce struggle, even as
told in the unskillful story of the In
dian, add fresh strength TO the con-
fiicting emotions, so universally felt,
of grief for the brave generals death
and pride in the manner of it. There
is some sOlace for the sacrifice in the
fact that the United States soldiers
sold their lives so as to kill nearly
man for man, Notwithstanding they
were Outnumbered twenty to one.
Red Horse, with other chiefs, re-
Gently came into Col. Woods post
and surrendered. His story is as
follows:
On Greasy Grass creek was the
main camp Of the hOstiles at that
time. was one of the head cOun-
Cilmen in that camp. Ny lodge was
situated in the center of the camp.
The Uncpapas, HantOnnaiS and San
tees We're camped northeast Ofme, on
the right, facing the battlefield.
The MinnecOniOUS, Sans Arcs, Two
Kettles and BruleS formed the cen
ter. On the left to the west were the
OgallalaS and CheyenneS. On the
morning of the attack myself and
several women were out about a
mile from camp gathering wild tur-
nj h of hn lSAI
my attention to q cloud of dust riS-
ing i'm the neighborhood of the
camp. | discovered that the troops
We're making an attack. We ran for
the camp, and was sent for at once
to come to the council lodge. |
found many of the cOuncilmen there
when | arrived. We had no time
to consult one another a. tOwhat ac-
ton we should take. We gave di-
rectiOnS Immediately for every In
dian to get his horse and arms, for
the women and children to mount
their horses and get out Of the way,
and for the young men to go and
meet the troops.
Among the latter was an officer
who rode horse with four white
feet. The Indians have fought a
great many tribes Of people and
brave ones, too, but they all say that
this man was the braVest man they
had ever met. | don't know Wheth-
or this man was Gen. Custer or not.
Some say he was. | saw this man
in the fight several times, but did not
see his body. 1t is said he was killed
by 4 Santee, who still holds his
horse. This officer wore Il large
buckSkin coat. He alone saved his
command number of times by
turning ON his horse in the retreat.
In speaking of him the Indians call
him The man who rode the horse
with white feet There were two
men of this description, looking
very much alike, both having long
yellOWiSh hair. 1t Is believed that
Gen. Clusters hair was cut compare
lively short at the time of his death.
Some time before this we were
camped on the Rosebud, but we
moved. crossed over and struck "a
tributary of Greasy Grass creek, fol- /
lowing it down to its mouth. An In
dian started to 60 To Red Cloud |
agency that day, when 4 few miles
from camp ne discovered the dust
rising. lie turned back and report |
ed that a large herd of buffalo was
approaching the camp. he day was
very warm, and short time after he
reported the camp was attacked by |
troops who had followed our trail /
down the tributary and crossed !
Greasy Grass creek a little above /
where we did, and above the mouth /
of this tributary. They attacked |
the upper end of the camp, where |!
the Uncpapas We're, and the troops !
set fire to the lodges.
All the warriors then rallied and |
attacked the command in over
confusion across the creek. They (
forced them over place below /
where they first crossed. The creek !
was very high and swift, and sever
al of the troops were drowned. At
ter driving this party back the In
dians cOrraled them on the top of
high hill and held them there until
they saw that the women and child
rem were in danger of being taken
prisoners by another party OftroOps
which just then made its appearance
below. The word passed among the
Indians like a whirlwind, and they
all started to attack this new party,
leaving the troops on the hill. From |
this hill TO the point where the |
troops were seen below it was omen !
ground all the way, with the excep-
fion of the small tributary | spoke
If before. As soon as he had finish