Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-11

ono ollcer and about sixteen soldiers ant
citizens were left In the woods, besides ont
wounded mau or more, two citizens AMI
thirteen s0ldiers rejolning the commant
after ward. In this retreat Mai, Reno's bal
talon lost some twenty.nine met In killed
and wounded, andsthree officers, including
DIR, De Will, killed.
d. In the meauiime Capt. Beaten having
carried out, as far as was practicable, the
spirit of his orders turned In the ulrectiop
OF the route taken by the remainder OF me
regiment and reaching the trail followed II
to near the crossing Of the Little BIG Horn
arriving there about the came time that
Reno's command was crossing the river 10
retreat lower down, and finally Joined hls
battalion with that of Reno on the bill.
Forty minutes or an hour later the pack
train which had been left behind on the
trail bv the rapid movement of the
cemmsnd aud the delays incident to
its march Joined the united command,
which consisted Of seven companies, to-
pether with about thirty or thlrty-five men
belonging TO the companies under General
Custer.
6. After detaching Benteen's and Reno's
columns Col. Custer moved with his imme-
diate command in the trail followed by
Reno to a point within one mile of the river,
where he diverged to the right, or SOUTH
ward, following the general direction Of the
river to a point about four miles below that
afterward taken by Major Reno, where he
and his command were destroyed by the
hostiles. The last living witness of this
march, Trumpeter Martin, left Col. Clusters
command when it was about two miles dis.
tant from the field where it afterward met
its fate. There is nothing more in evidence
as to this command save that firing was
heard proceeding from it's direction from
about the time that Reno retreated from the
bottom up to the time the pack-train was
approaching the position on the hill. All
firing which indicated fighting was conclu-
ded before the final preparations in Mai.
Reno's command for the movement which
was afterward attempted.
and a proper provision for the wounded men,
Maj. Reno's entire command moved down
the river in the direction it vas thought
Clusters column had taken and in which 1t
was known Gen. Terry's command was to
be found. This movement was carried
sufficiently far to discover that it's c%ontinu-
ance would imperil the entire command,
upon which it returned to the position
formerly occupied, and made a successful
resistance till succor reached it. The de
tense of the position on the hill was a heroic
one against fearful odds. The conduct o
the officers thro lghout was excellent, ant
while subordinates in some instances die
more for the safety of the command by bril-
liant displays Of courage than Maj. Reno
there was nothing in his conduct which r.
quired animadversion from this court.
Opinion-It is the conclusion of the cour
in view Of all the facts in evidence, that n
further proceedings are necessary in tn
case, and it expresses this opinion in con
pliance with the concluding clause Of tt
order converting the court.
JOHN H. DING.
Colonel 9th Infantry, President.
j. NJ. LEE,
Let Lieutenant and Adjutant 9th Infantr
Recorder.
Gen. Sherman makes the following il
dorsement:
The findings of the court of inquiry in Ii
case Of Maj. Reno are approved, and ii
proceedings are respectfully forwarded
the honorable secretary Of war.
The final Endorsement is as follows:
The proceedings and findings are appro,
ed. By order of the president.
GEO. w. McCRARY,
Secretary Of War.