The New York herald., 1879-03-07
THE RENO INVESTIGATION.

REPORT OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY-DErA1Is
OF THE OPERATIONS AT THE BATTLE OF
LITTLE BIG HoRN-RENo RxoNERATED.
WASHINGTON. March 6. 1879.
The following is the report Of the Reno Court Of
Inquiry
The Court Of Inquiry. assembled by special orders
No. 255. dated Headquarters of the Army. Washing
ton November 25 1878. reports in obedience to that
order the following facts involving the conduct OF
Major Marcus A. Reno, Seventh cavalry. in regard
the battle Of the Little Big Horn fought June 25
Firs-On the morning Of the 25th Of June. 1875,
tho Seventh cavalry, Lietenant Colonel G. A. Custer
commanding operating against hostile Indians in
Montana Territory, near the Little Big Horn River
divided into four battalions, two OF which were
commanded by Colonel Custer in person with the
exception OF one company in charge of the pack
train. one by Major Reno and one BY Captain f. W.
Benteen. This division took place from about
70 nrseen miles from tne scene OF the battle or
Benteen received orders to to the left for an
indefinite distance ito the first and second vaeys)
might meet with. The battalion under Major Reno
received orders to draw out Of the column, and doing
from the column commanded by Colonel Custer.
&cond-About three or four miles from what after
ward was was found to be the Little Big Horn River,
where the fighting took place. Major Reno received
orders to move forward as rapidly as he thought
prudent until. coming up with the Indians who were
reported fleeing, he would charge them and drive
everything before him and would receive the sup
port of the column under Colonel Custer.
Thi,s-In obedience to the orders tgiven by Col
onel Custer Captain Benteen marched to the left
(south) at angle Of about fortyfvc degrees, but
meeting an impracticable country, forced by it
to march more to his right than the angle above in
dcatcd and never approaching parallel route to the
trail followed by the rest of the command
RENo's MOVEMENTS.
F5wM-Major Reno. in obedience to tho orders
given him, moved on at fast trot on the main In
dian trail. until reaching Little Big Horn River.
which he forded. and halted for few moments to
reform his battalion. After reforming he marched
the battalion forward toward the indian village down
the stream in anortherly direct two companies
In limo of battle and in support, until about
half way to the front. where he finally halted,
when he brought the company in reserve forward to
line of battle, continuing the movement fast
trot or gaop until after passing over distance of
about two miles, when he halted and dismounted to
right flank Of his battalion rested After fighting in
this formation less than half an hour the Indians
70 s @ e1s rear ana on his front
and the fight continued for short time
half an hour or forty-ave minutes in all-when
the command, or nearly all Of it, was mounted.
formed. and at rapid gait was withdrawn
to hill on the opposite side Of the river III this
movement officer and about sixteen soldiers and
citizens left in the woods besides one wounded
man or more. two citizens and thirteen soldiers re-
joining the command afterward. In this retreat
Major Reno battalion lost some twenty nine in
killed and wounded and three officers. including Dr.
FVM-In the meantime Captain Benteen, having
carried out as far practicable the spirit of
Orucf direction
by the remainder of the regiment, and, reaching the
trail followed it to the crossing of tho Little
Big Horn. arriving there about the time
that Major Reno's command was crossing the river
in retreat lower down. and finally joined his battal
ion with that of Reno the hill. Forty minutes or
behind ON the trail by the rapid movement of the
command and the delays incident to its march,
Joined the united command, which then consisted
OF seven companies, together with about thirty or
thirty-hve men belonging to the companies under
Colonel Custer.
cv,~vn,, ,,.ru
SsrM-After detaching Benteen's and Reno's col
umns, Colonel Custer moved with his immediate
about one mile OF the river. where he diverged to
the right Tor northward following the general direc-
14n mI.. q So the .n. river % to point about four
Reno. where he and his command were
destroyed by the hostiles. The living witness
of this march. Trumpetcr Martin left Colonel Gus
ters command when 1t about two miles distant
from the field where 1t atterward met it's fate There
Is nothing more ip evidence ss to his command save
that firing heard proceeding from its direction
from about the time Reno retreated from the bottom
up to the time the pack train was approaching the
position on the HILL All the firing which indicated
fighting concluded before the 1ns, preparations
Of Major Reno's command for the movement which
was atterward attempted
SeotnM--After distribution of ammunition and q
proper provision for the wounded men Major Rcnos
entire command moved down the river in the direc-
ton 1t was thought Clusters column had taken and
in which 1t was known General Terry's command
was TO be found. This movement was carried out
sufficiently to discover that Its continuance would
imperi tho entire command. upon which ii returned
to the position formerly occupied and made sue
ccssfu resistance till succor reached it, The defence
OF the position on the hill heroic against
fearful odds. The conduct OF the officers through
out was excellent. and while the subordinates in
some instances did more for tho safety of the
mand by brilliant displays Of courage than did
Major Reno, there was nothing in his conduct which
requires animadvcrsion from this Court.
OPINION.
IL lis the conclusion OF this Court, IN view Of all
the facts in evidence that further proceedings are
necessary In this case and IL Expresses this opinion
in compliance with the concluding clause OF the
order convening the court
JOHN II. KING,
Colonel Ninth Infantry, President.
J. M. LEE, First Lieutenant and Adjutant Ninth
Infantry, Recorder.
GENERAL sHERMAN's ENDORSEMENT.
General Sherman makes the following indorse-
ment:-
The findings Of the Court of Inquiry In tho case Of
Major Reno arc approved and the Proceedings are
respectfully forwarded to the honorable Secretary
War.
The Anal indorsement is as folovs:-
Tho proceedings and findings are approved by
order OF the President
GEORGE W. MoCRARy. Secretary of War.