The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-15

the admission of letter of Captain Whitaker
Major Reno introduced his counsel Mr. Gilbert who
objected TO the presentation of the paper the
ground that it mentioned in the order of the
War Department He claimed also that the court
was not called for the purpose OF inquiry into the
motive OF Major Reno. but to determine whether or
not his conduct worthy of censure. The court
cleared. in order that vote might be taken
the question. the result being decision that only
the letter question but all papers bearing the
subject should be submitted to the examination OF
the Court. The Recorder then read the letter
CAPTAIN wHITrAKER's LETTER
Ii in substance related that the writer while en-
gagged in preparing biography of General Custer.
had found both written aud oral testimony in abnn-
ardiCe and dsobeienceo of orders the battle field of
the Little Big Horn. and that as Major Renos report
the only official report of the battle the writer.
Captain Whitaker asked that Congress should
tigate the conduct of the Major Captain Whitaker
also asserted in his letter that Major Reno his
report reflected seriously upon the generaship of
| General Custer which was another reason why the
investigation should be made The letter was ad-
| dressed to W. w. Corlette from Wyoming Territory
The Recorder then argued the question as to
whether the defence the prosecution should open
the Mr. Gilbert said that IL the letter to DO
the basis of the prosecution he should not object to
the Recorder presenting the case 1t was accordingly
agreed that the latter should have the initiative. and
| recess of half hour taken that Lieutenant
| Lee might prepare his witnesses
LIEUTENANT MAGUmE TEsTIFIEs.
The first witness introduced was Lieutenant Edwin
| Mcguire member OF the Engineer corps. After
| being he said that the night of the 25th
aud 18th of June 1876 he with General Terry,
| proceeding to join the other commands in the
vicinity of the Little Big Horn; he was the battle
field about ten o'clock the morning of the 9th,
| after the engagement OF General Custer with
| the Indians. Witness then identified a map
which he had made OF the battle field,
and described to the Court the topography of the
country ne pointed out the map the locations of
| the Indian encampment and Major Reno's position.
| saying that il was about four miles in direct line
from there where General Clusters body found.
| He should Judge that the Generals position must
have been about one-fourth OF a mile in the OF
! his skirmish line. The first body that
| discovered was that of a soldier lying on the first
small rise directly back of the buf: it the only
white body near: there several dead Mdians
lying around the debris of the Indian camp and also
three four tcpcs that in their haste the savages
| had not had time to carry with them.
SOLDIERS WE'RE AFFECTED.
Witness further stated that he reached Reno
mand about ten A. NJ the day after the massacre,
| accompanied by Lieutenants Wallace and Hof: he
| first saw several soldiers riding toward them
| with shouts and loud cries, and when they
| met the overcome with mingled joy and
grief and down their faces like rain. Wit
| ness did not Reno at the time, but when they
! met about an hour later, he (Ieno seemed quite
| calm and did not betray any excitement whatever
On examination of the ground witness said he found
| . heavy trail running south from the battle ground
! but none in any other direction. He could not tell
| how long Reno had occupied the position which he
| held when witness arrived
| At this point the Court adjourned until eleven
| O'Clock tomorrow.