The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-08-08
ne. C...er DIED.

A soldier spy named Ho ward, who
was in Sitting Bull's camp, talked
with the camp followers regarding
the Caster massacre, and disclosed
some new facts. This body Of hos
tiles, or q portion of it, was with Sit
ting Bull in that memorable affair,
and thus the story Howard relates
may be depended upon-as they, not
auspecring bis mission among them,
and in consideration of his residence
among and relationship with them,
talked to him ss one Of themselves
They state that many of Custer's
men were killed by mounted Indians.
who ran over them and killed them
with their knives. The poor fellows
were huddled together here and there
and fought at great disadvantage;
vet they killed great many Of their
assailants, Sighting desperately to the
last. Sitting Bull asserted that the
battle lasted thirty minutes all told,
ending with the death. of Custer and
few men and officers who had ralli-
ed around him. This foilorn hope
had gotten of some distance, and
could have escaped; but, unfortunate
ly, Custer changed his mind, turned,
and ordering . charge, the devoted
party rushed upon the Indians with
revolvers, shooting down the aston
ished savages right and left Custer
killed five himself when bis pistol
emptied, and the foe pressing about
him, be closed with 9 graphing saw
age, and beating out bis brains with
the butt, was shot as bis victim fell to
the ground. This doubtless true
story supports the theory advanced
by military men at the time of the
massacre idea of some desperate
final act receiving support from the
position and location of the group
Of bodies about Custer, viz: that, be
seeing bis command annihilsted, and
fearing to face the consequences or
scorning to live when bis soldiers lay
dead about him, had deliberately
rushed to certain death.
His body was not recognized at
6rst. the Indians thinking him 8
scout; bat, being identified, all that
OF the famous General was
up against the corpses Of
two soldiers, and 30 left TO receive
the advancing bot too ls:e troops.
Poor Tom Clusters heart was not cut
out, IS previously reported, but be
was barbsrously killed with knives.
Lieut. Sturgess was knocked off bis
horse, shot aud killed, his body strip
ped aud thrown into the river. Ill
must be Sturgess' death which 10
thus described, ss the Indians tell Of
this poor fslloe IS young warrior
who rode with : buckskin coat strap |
ped TO his saddle, and il was known |
be was So equipped. They also re-
ate that two soldiers, who threw
down their guns and surrendered.
were turned loose, and advised "to
return %. their people and tell them |
Ill the whites would follow Custer
unless hey would let the Sioux
llone.' The poor fellows left. but
he next day, probably crazy from
right, attempted to return. when
hey encountered some Indiana who
had been engaged against Reno. and
we're killed. Howard recognized
many Custer trophies 10 the camp.
among them Cooks ssddls sad &C.
He thinks this camp Of
" hostiles must Be severely dealt
With; that Sitting Bull must bs- Sc
:ured or killed, OF else The seasons
Iuccesses and surrenders will 90 al
most for nsoghs I an convinced
hat Gen. Miles shares this opinion,
u Iesss partially, ssd thss be is right
q opposing sny ceseatios Of active
Ind odeusive operations until the
results be stsAined. IL
must not b Imagined that hs 10
,loodthirsty 10 biz plsos ~ ideas in
his business-oa the contrary, bs
the fact that the SOAK
wen hsve rights the Government
must rsepec,; but at tbs same time
,e feels with oil intelliysnt observers
hat its strong arm must nov thor /
,ughly 6sssrt itself before the 6sld
,e abandoned Any Other courss
IN bat result 10 loss OF oil that has