The New York herald., 1879-02-08
RENO'S TRIAL.

GENERAL GIBBoN GIVES HIS oPINIoN-THE
ACCUSED TEsrIFIEs IN HIS OWN BEHALF
CUSTER GAVE NO PLAN OF BATTLE-wHY HE
FLED To THE HILL.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
CHICAGO, Feb. 7. 1879.
The Reno Court of Inquiry viii probably close to-
morrow. After reading the evidence Recorder Lee
stated that General John Gibbon would be intro
duced. General Gibbon is commander of the Seventh
infantry. now stationed at Fort Rdgley St. Paul.
MINI. He said he had visited the battlefield of Reno
two days after the fight The questions addressed to
him were for the purpose of getting at his opinion of
the nature of the ground in the different positions
taken up by Reno with view Of arriving at the true
character Of the latter's generalship When the
queries in relation to the matter came to be too
direct Mr.. Gilbert objected to cxpert" testimony OF
this kind If it were allowed he did not whore
the inquiry would end. II the Court decided to ad
NIT it he would also introduce the evidence Of out
side experts The Court itself composed Of
perts. Recorder Lee replied. contcnding that
Colonel Sheridan had been asked such questions. 1t
was proper to get General Gibbons views. spir-
tied debate followed. and the doors ordered
closed. After the the Court again
vened and announced that evidence as to Ramos posi-
ton on the hill would be allowed.
GENERAL GIBBONS VIEWS.
General Gibbon pronounced the position very
weak one, where and animals greatly ex-
posed. He counted forty five dead animals in one
ravine 1t will DC remembered that the position on
the Hill Reno's choice in his retreat from the
timber. After some questions by counsel of both
sides General Merritt took hand on typographical
points. General Gibbons evidence closed,
he leaves for Washington tonight, where he Is to
serve as a member of the Hammond Revising Board.
RENO MAKES STATEMENT.
fhn an1
speaking ut length on the character OF the trial,
asked that Major Reno be allowed to appear wit
ness. Recorder Lee replied by reading military
law based upon act of Congress to the effect that
witness accused Reno is could appear only ut his
direct request while refusal to appear would not
be construed to his pref judice. Mr. Gilbert followed
asking it as favor in his behalf, and left the
matter to the debcration OF the Court. The deci-
sion was that Major Reno could appear only at his
own formal request, nor would the Court consider
that he would be in any way compromised
by doing do. The formal request made, and
Major Reno on being sworn, stated that the
ing OF the 25th OF June his regiment was lying in
some sage brush Colonel Benteen came over to his
command. Soon the column was on the move. Wit
ness was not consulted as to the plan OF movement.
When colonel Benteen went of to the left witness
asked him where he was going, and Colonel Benteen
replied that he going off to pitch into whatever he
might come Witness command and that Of Gen
eral Custer moved down stream until short distance
past the Indian "tepee." which had been mentioned,
and then the commanding officer beckoned him
an order from Adjutant Cook to take gait which he
might deem proper, and advance. and when he met
Indians to charge and he should be supported by the
whole outfit He took look. and. after crossing the
river, he apprehended that Indians ahead Of
him in overwhelming numbers.
TOO MANY INDIANS IN FRONT HIM.
Twice he sent back word to General Custer to that
effect once by Marcilargy dead and by Mitchell, his
cook, the last time with the statement that the
Indians were ahead Of him in great numbers. He
drew his companies up In line Of battle and said to
himself that he could not make successful charge.
but the number Of Indians had thrown him to the
defensive instead Of the offensive. He had impress
sions to large numbers Of Indians from trails and
from Indian scouts and with his own eyes five
six hundred Indians. The trail which he followed
covered with four five inches Of dust,
and there several distinct trails showing that
large numbers OF Indians had passed that way it
plain to him that Indians were getting to his
rear to hide. and were using the woods much
he; he knew that he could not stay there unless he
stayed forever and in order to secure q union of his
regiment he moved to the hill. point where he
vantageously dispose of the mem some of the men
on the skrmish line fired at random and some with
more discretion.
NO PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
He did not examine the battalion when it was
signed to him to ascertain the amount OF ammuni-
Colonel Benteen We're; there was any plan of
campaign the subordinate officers had idea Of 1t:
there was no use OF his remaining in the timber;
he could help one there. and his moving out
the best plan, subsequent events he thought had
shown; he thought it his duty to move out to
| the lives of his men; he was willing to
lose some Of his men that the remnant
| might be put In position better than
Knife, the Indian scout killed at tine side Of
| witness while he trying to get from him by
signs some nformaton at the crossing OF the river
The troops were exposed to severe fire. Most of the
Indians whom he saw were armed with Winchester
rifles.
WHY HE OCCUPIED THE HILLS
Mr.. GII.BERT-Your movement to the hill not
regarded as triumphal march, was it?
RESo--No. sir Nor did intend it a retreat.
went to that hill just as man in a room would 60
| to the corner to prevent number OF enemies from
striking him in the back. which the Indians
| had already done to my men in the woods; after
reaching the top of the hill went back look after
Lieutenant Hodgson, who thought might have
been wounded; took from the body ring and
bunch of keys; when got back the pack train
not in sight; could not make myself omnipresent;
l made Lieutenant Hare my adjutant and sent him
back after the pack train and told him to hurry up
| think il was about an hour before IL arrived:
would not be positive after he got the pack
train witness formed the column and started down
| the river. They went about mile. He expected
Captain Weir to act an advance. Soon Lieutenant
Hare to witness and said that he had used the
witness name to authorize Captain Weir company
| to back account of the number of Indians.
by whose order was the halt made and the back
movementY asked Mr.. Gilbert.
"By mine," replied the witness with good deal
of emphasis. He chose the hili for ii nearer to
the water than the other position ard for
troops were disposed. the witness said that he
told Colonel Benteen to take one side and he would
pected the heaviest attack would be made; of
the troops had scarcely facilities for hiding them
selves: the firing lasted until after dark and was
very sevcre between ak O'Clock and nine the witness
went twice the limo and satisfied with IT.
ne could see tho Indians dancing by their fires
in their village; ut nine O'Clock he went the line
and made further disposition of the companies he
told each Of the captains to protect himself best
he could.
RELYING rxrRYs APPROACH.
He expected that he would not long have to hold
out for he knew that General Terry somewhere
IN that country he did not know where for he had
never been consulted by the commanding officer
to the information he had: on the next morning he
went over the line and had the bugle sounded: it
was about daybresk about half-past two clock; he
could the Indians going up the bottom; he could
not see the Indians around the command; when they
began their fire again their position only to be told
by the puffs OF smoke The fire was any
he ever saw. He estimated the number of Indians
1850 in his report but he thought now that he had
underestimated it, The fire lasted in it, intensity
until about ten o'clock He them going down
the bottom and supposed them to be going 10 their
village for more ammunition. He aftcrward knew
that they went to meet General Terry The Indians
watched very closely when the soldiers won't down
in the ravine to get the water.
The Court adjourned at this juncture until to-
morrow.