Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-12
RENO on THE STAND.
He Closes tho Case .AGainst Himself B,
Giving In His Own Testimony.
" Chicago Intel. Ocean. 10TH

He CLOSES tho Case Against Himself BY
Giving In His Own Testimony.
Chicago Inter Ocean, 10th.
The testimony in the Reno Ease was con-
clnded Saturday, to the no small reliefo of all
parties concerned, including reporters and
public. The session was begun BY the fur.
i ther examination Of Major Reno, who was
recalled TO the stand for the especial benefit
of Mr.. Gilbert. The evidence ELECTED pre-.
scented the following refreshing .reminiscen.
ces. A, chip hat of goodly proportions
adorned the head of Major Reno on the day
Of the battle. THIS was subsequently lost
during the exodus from the bot .om. Tue
assertion that he fired a pistol from the top
OF the hill was untrue. The witness very
emphatically denied that cowardice prompt-
ed his retreat from the bottom. The indie.
fensible nature of the pc ,ition was the in.
sentive. Witness heard a few scattering
shots down the river. Had no idea of any
serious engagement, or that Custer was ia
great trouble or dead. He did not know
Custer vas engaged with the Indians. His
official report was. made up from informa-
ton received on his field soon after the
fight.
In regard to his sobriety, witness said he
had some whiskey that he got at the mouth
of the Rosebud /; it was in q 1ask, which he
carried in an inner coat pocket, and per-
'haps there was a pint or q quart he did not
drink any until the night Of the 25th, about
midnight.
Mr.. Gilbert asked witness If he was sober
at all times.
Witness replied that the flask was emp
tied on the morning Of the 18th, when they
were Durying the dead. Captain French
said that he was sick at the stomach, aud
desired q drink, and witness gave it to him.
Captain Weir might have .t,ken.a drink
with him on the night of the 25ih, but be
did not remember OF his so doing lfhe had
1t was to enable him 10 get some sleep. but
il was not enough to intoxica.e him. The
night Of the 25th, about 10 o'clock, he came
upon two men sulking about the pack train,
and spoke to them. They did not give him
q satisfactory answer, and be struck one OF
them, thinking it not q time for moral sua-
sion, and be 'msy have threatened to shoot
hin II be found him there again. The
whisky was 10 his pocket at that time. He
was Oh the line during the 25th and Goth of
June, and the latter dav was with Sergeant
Lacey behind a knoll, firing at the Indians
ss lh, y gallDped past. Witness tried to
communicate with General Custer 90 the
night OF the 25th, but the Grow scouts re- i
fused to 90 out. He sent q note to Gen |
Terry on the morning of the 9th, stating
the position he was in and detailing bis |
condition. Witness had discharged the in.
terpreter Girard for stealing from the gov
eminent.
In reply to a question by Recorder Lee
If he, witness. eutered the fight with feel
iBgs OF confiicnce or distrust toward Gen..
Custer, witness answered a%mbiguOusly,
eyes. SIR The recorder asked for a prop
er answer, which the court directed to be
made. Witness said be did not
into the fight with
Of distrlst toward General Custer,
none but friendly feelings for him, but
he had no confidence in him as a soldier.
Witness said that, while he would have lis
tened to any communication from Girald, he
not have believed him. He under.
stood Girald had been the basis Of most Of
the information against ham. Witness said
he was u, anxious for Custer's aid as Custer
could have been. for him. He thought the
results ofthe battle justified him in acting
u he did. Hescoull not have successfully
the enemy. Hethought there were
rom 600 to 700 Iadians in his front during
he ba,lle. He never thought at the time
that his position would have to be explained
10 HIS commanding officer; he thought there
wou'd be no question about It.
Mr.. Gilbert read q petition signed by 236
surviving Oficers and m.n of the Seventh
.valry, addressed to General Sherman, re-
lnesting that the vacancies caused by the
death OF Custer and the officers of his CON-
maud be filled from among the survivors.
General Saerman's repiy-complimenting
the petitioners on the bravery Of Maj. Re-
no and themselves, and informing them that
the appointing was vested ia the president
the senate, and that promot ons were
made ON the rule Of seniority and not on the
battlefield. as Napoleon had made them
also read and put 10 as documentary
That closed the evidence.
Mr. Gilbert said he had not been we'll for
! couple of days, and Is would, therefore,
request the court TO adjourn over until IL
o'clock Monday morning. in onder that he