The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-14

to reach him. When Reno's command took position
the range of lower hills that hid and his gal
liant from view of his companies that were
np upon sns n asaer nsD r NV WIZ, hS
the roll of the rifle volleys the hills told that
Custer and his men were fighting for their lives.
GALLANT WEIR MAKES AN EFFORT.
In the official report furnished by Major Reno II is
stated thar Company D.. of the Seventh cavalry. was
sent forward to open communication with General
custer.
This statement is inaccurate
~ IS true that company, OF IT'S own accord ana n
hill which hid Custer and the men who died with
him from the rest OF the command. but they did so
only when tired with the naction OF Colonel Reno
command, while rifle volleys telling that their
comrades were being done to death Yet 300 horse.
men under Major Reno were standing on hill not
four miles away from where General Custer FELL with
not an Indian opposing their advance.
LET RENO ANSWER.
When ID company went forward without orders
precious time had been lost and the order sent after
this company was delivered when the company was
returning.
Clusters force then destroyed.
Had the seven companies under Major Reno adj
there is doubt that they could have arrived at
Custer battle field in time to take part in the night
open communication with General Custer why did hc
not try to join with his seven companies!
Why was the mass OF horsemcn. kept idle on the
hill for space of time calculated ut two hours, not
hurled into the fight when they first arrived?
What were seven companies of cavalry doing
gathered upon hill when four miles away their
comrades were fighting desperately lor their lives
COLONEL WEIR SAW.
When some members of ID company reached the
summit Of a range of low hills which hid Clusters
command FROM the view OF Major Renos forces,
they saw some TWO miles away crowds OF Indians on
hill which is now thought to be the hill on which
Custer died
The Indians were riding hither and thither and on
the plains OF mounted men were swaying back
and forth and struggling shots were fired from time
to time.
The last victims were beng offered mp.
From this it is clear that ii seven companies in
stead hating hill, had advanced at gallop to
where the firing was heard instead OF hating an
hour or two the HILL they could have arrived in
ample time to have oo-operated with Custer.
There nothing to prevent their doing so.
The fifty sixty Indians who had stampedSd
Major Reno's command had gone to take part in the
fight against Custer, and Major Reno and his
mand were left absolutely free until Clusters men
had been massacred. when the whole Indian force
turned to attack the men who had been standing idle
for two hours while these same Indians slaughtered
their comrades.
How this to pass and who is the responsible
person must be answered by searching investiga-
lion.
CAPTAIN BENrEEN's MOVEMENTS.
Captain BeneeH also. who in defence of the hill won
golden opinions for his great courage aud GOODNESS
will have unfortunately to explain why his battalion
failed to appear earlier hour on the battle field
He had returned to the main trail and was follow
ing in Clusters wake before the fight began, and
could not ut any time have been during the tight,
more than seven or.eight miles distant from where
Custer tell.
About seven miles from Clusters battle field Cap
tain Benteen watered his horses ut pool III the road
While the bat talion halted Boston Custer rode
up spoke with several officers and then rode on to
the front.
He found dead by General Clusters side about
seven miles from this pool OF water.
Captain Benteen received Clusters last written
Order:-
CLUSTERS LAST ORDER DIsoBEYED.
Hurry up. Big village. Bring up the packs"
That order was practically ignored
Captain Benteen and his battalion walked at the
ordinary marching pace until the point was reached
Reno's retreatng men where then the COM
bined force halted for tao hours and took further
part in the battle until the Indians came back and
attacked them.
No effort made to join Custer to follow up
the Indians, who withdrew from Major Renos front
to 20 to attack Custer The same Indians who fought
Major Reno in the bottom took part in the fight
against Custer, and had the companies advanced
when they assembled the hill they could also have
taken part III the tight and Custer might be living to-
day.
Why Major Renos command failed to move to the
assistance of the General remains to be explained.
searching investigation would bring to light
other and equally startling revelations with regard
to the conduct Of some of the prominent actors in
the fight of the 25th of June, and justice to the v
ing well to the dead demands that such invest-
cation should be ordered by the government.