Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-11
the RENO INQUIRY.
Conclusion Extracted by the Court from
the Mass of Testimony Presented.

Conclusions Extracted by the Court from
the Mass of Testimony Presented.
Washington. March 6.-The following
Is the report of the Reno court of inquiry
The court of inquiry, assembled by spr-
cial order No. 255. dated headquarters q
the army. Washington, Nov. 25. 1873. re-
ports in obedience to that order, the fol
lowing facts involving the conduct of Maj
Marcus A.. Reno, 9Th cavalry, in regard tc
the battle of the Little Big Horn. tough,
June IS and 26, 1876:
1. On the morning of the 25th of June
1876, the 9TH cavalry, Lieut.. Col. G. A
Custer, commanding. operating against the
host tile Indians in Montana territory, near
the Little Big Horn river, was divided in,o
-four battalions, two of which were COM
manded by Col. Custer in person, with the
exception Of one company IN charge OF the
pack train one by Maj. Reno aud one by
Capt. F. w. Benteen. This division took
place from about twelve to fifteen miles
from the scene of q battle afterward fought.
The column under Capt. Beenteen received
orders to move to the left for an Jude
finite distance Ito the first and second val.
leys) hunting Indians. with orders TO
charge any it might meet with. The bat
TALON under Maj. Reno received orders to
draw out of the column, and, doing SO,
marched parallel to, and only q short dis
lance from, the column commanded by Col.
Custer.
2 About three or four miles from what
afterward was found to he the Little Big
Maj Reno received orders 10 move forward
as be thought prudent until, coming up
with the Indians, who we're reported fee
ing, be would charge them and move every.
thing before him and would receive the
support of the column under Col. Custer.
3 In obedience TO the orders gwen by
Col. Custer, Capt. Benteen marched to the
left (soutb) ut an angle Of about forty-ive
degrees, but meeting an impractcable
country was forced by it to march more to
his rig. I than the angle above indicated and
nearer approaching q parallel route 10 the
trail followed by the rest of the command.
4. Maj Reno, 10 obedience to the orders
given him, moved on at q fast trot on the
main Indian trail until reaching the Little
BiR'HOrn river, which be forded and halted
for Q few minutes to reform bis battalion.
After reforming he marched the battalion
forward toward the Indian village, down
the river or 10 Q %northerly direction, two
companies in line of battle and one in cup
port until about half way TO the point
where he finally halted. when he brought
the company In reserve forward TO the line
of battle, continuing the movement at q fast
trot or gsllop until after passing over . dis
tsnce Of about two miles, when he halted
and dlsmounted to fight on foot At . point
of timber upon which the right flank of The
battalion rested. After fighting 10 this
formation less than half an hour, the Indisns
passing TO bis left rear and appearing in bis
front, the skirmish line Vas withdrawn Ia
the timber and the light continued for
short time-balf 90 bOur or forty i've min
utes In ali-when tho commend or nearly
oil of 1t, VS. mounted, formed and Of
rapid gait Wa wIthdrawD to . hill on th'
opposite side Of the rivs.. In this novemen