Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-12
OPINIONS DIFFER.
"A Squad of Witnesses for tho Reno Court
of Inquiry Going Forward.-The Views
of Several of the Party.-Reno is Both
entity and not Guilty.

of Inquiry Going Forward.-The Views
of Several of the Party.-Reno is. Both
entity and not Guilty.
Among the arrivals in st. Paul yesterday
were number of officers of the Seventh
Cavalry, who are en- route for Chicago to
give evidence in the trial of Major Marcus
A. Reno by court of inquiry for cowardice
and treachery to Gen. Custer at the battle of
Little Big Horn. The party is composed of
Capt. T. w. Benteen, Capt. G. A. Varnum,
Capt. 7. M. McDougall, Lieut.. G. D. Wal
lace, Lieut.. Hare and DR.. H. r. Porter, of
Bismarck, who, at the time of the battle,
was acting assistant surgeon of the regiment.
The gentleman took quarters at the Metro
politan, and were glad of a rest after their
long journey from Fort Lincoln. They
will leave for Chicago this evening at 7:4O
o'clock.
LITTLE RETICENT.
Merry naturally the officers were reticent as
to the evidence they would give before the
military court, although they would not be
guilty of subordination from the fact that
Major Reno is not now an officer of the
army. and will not be until May next, when
his term OF suspension for assault upon
Mrs. Bell will expire, thanks to the clemency
of the alleged President of these United
States. Nevertheless, they have decided
convictions, as was ascertained through con-
versations with reporters of the GLOBE last
evening. Their reluctance to express these
convictions, however, is perhaps pardon
able under the circumstances.
DR. pORTER'S VIEWS
DR.. Porter was met by a representative of
the GLOBE aid asked his opinion of the
case. He was reluctant to express an
opinion. He had, however, been in the
fght-the charge of Reno on the Indian
position, made previous to Clusters charge
to death. He thought Reno might have
gone to the rescue of Custer but as to the
result he could not say. 1t mi ght have pre-
vented the determination of Clusters forces,
and yet it might have resulted in the sacri-
fee OF the lives of the men under Reno.
do you think the charge of cowardice
will be proved?'
WELL l can hardly tell. There is GER
tainly ground for it."
"What do you think of the published
statement Durporting to be the death bed
statement of Col. Weir?"
II do not believe he made that statement.
He vas frequently in a mental condition in
which he made some extraordinary state
ments, which he would afterward retract
He was sent forward by Major Reno to re-
connolter, but was driven back by the In
dams early in the day. While the Custer
fight was in progress he was ordered for
ward, Lieut.. Hare carrying the dispatch,
and what he saw on that reconnaissance [
cannot tell. Nevertheless, although Reno was
nominally in command, Capt. BIT nteen was
really the leader of the forces.''
''Do you think there was any jealousy be-
tween Gen. Custer and Capt. Benteen p
~ know they were not on friendly terms.''
"Was there not jealousy between Custer
and Reno?''
"Undoubtedly.''
SHOW did it come that Benteen was the
leader when Reno ranked him in COM
mand?''
"Well, the soldiers recognized the stronger
mind and followed it. It will always be
thus
"Then I conclude that Reno did not cut
much of figure in the regiment?"
"Reno was not man to lead regiment
In such time. Benteen took command nat
urally-just as strong men always do. It
was not surprising"
come of the court of inquiry?"
"Of course I cannot tell. If the evidence
adduced proves that Reno was guilty of
coWardice, he would, in time Of war, be shot
At any rate the present court will simply de-
termine whether it will be necessary to call
a court martial to decide on the charges
preferred.''
DR.. Proctor is not now in the service, and
while ho did not lesire the publication of his
views, the GLOBE takes the liberty of giving
them in substance, without asking his con-
sent.
CAPT. BENTEEN.
Tall in stature. Well-proportion as to
form. Erect and soldierly in bearing. A
beardless, tawny skinned face, the somewhat
severe and perpendicular lines of which were
softened by a pair of intelligent, keen, gray
eyes. luxuriant head of crisp, curly hair,
prematurely gray, surmounted by a iauntv
cap. Capt. E. W. Benteen, of the famous
Seventh cavalry, as he conversed with a
GLOBE representative at the Metropolitan
hotel last midnight.
"On your way East, I believe, captain,''
ventured the GLOBE man, after the ceremony
of a Standardization.
"You are right was the reioinder, s.if
nothing transpiles to prevent, shall leave
for Chicago tomorrow evening"
off / am rightly informed you are SUM-
moned as a witness before the courtof inquiry
that is to investigate Reno's alleged respon-
slbliity for the Custer massacre?''
90 That is my object in going.'
"lf agreeable, captain, the GLOBE would
like to know your sentiments regarding the
afair?''
GAS to Reno's responsibility for the mas
r
"Exactly.''
"Well, sir, can assure you that in express
ing my private conviction, T have no hest
tation in saying that believe Reno entirely
innocent of the charge laid at his door. He
behaved as any other man would have acted
surrounded by the same circumstances. The
TACT IS, that all the talk abeut Reno's beine
able to reinforce Custer is simply absurd.
considering the distance that separated them,
1t was matter of sheer impossibilitv,''
"You were in the subsequent engagement,
we're you not?''
eyes. We joined the detachment after
the repulse."
"You think, then, that the Little Big Horn
massacre was due to the action of the la
mented Custer himself ?"
"Most assuredly. In my opinion it was
the result of Clusters own actions, and it is
an injustice to attribute the blame to some
one else."
The conversation was interrupted at this
point by the entrance of several friends who
claimed the attention of the captain, where
upon, after thanking the veteran, the GLOBE
man started home to turn in copy.
SCOUT GERARD.
Another Important witness in the case has
been in the city for the past two or three