The New York herald., 1879-02-04
The Fearful Story Told by Lisulsnan!
Edserlsy in the Reno Trial.
HOW THE SEVENTH DIED.
Reno Firing Pistols at indians Ono
Thousand Yards Distant
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

this morning. The business of the day was opened
| by the review OF Colonel Benteen's testimony In
reply to the Recorder he said The only inerpreta
ton to be put upon the orders received by the witness
when he parted from Custer and Reno on the
morning of the 25th. that he should go valley
hunting, All inGaitum''--that that he should go
to the first valley. nobody knew how far away
it was, and if he found the Indians, to pitch
into them, and il he did not, go on
to the second valley. He thought it was
very senseless order The line was already tho
main trail of the Indians. The witness thought that
after General sent Reno of to the left his plan
to get HIN into the attack the Indian VII
lage from that direction but Major Reno had no idea
OF what General Clusters purpose was.
BESrEENs FEELING TOWARD CUSTER
The testimony of Colonel Benteen was SO decidedly
adverse to General Custer that the Recorder asked
witness if at the time of the fight he entertained
good opinion of General Custer and in accord
with him. Colonel Bentecn made a rather eyasive
reply. remarking that his opinion good
it ever had been and he much
in accord with General Custer as he ever had
been Mr. Gilbert objected to further interrogations
OF this kind Recorder Lee said that it appeared to
be the tendency of this testimony to show that Gen.
eral Custer IN incompetent officer; that he had
definite plan of the batte; that his was
due TO that fact and that Major Reno was
facts regarding the feeling between Colonel
Benteen and General Custer in order to mitigate
this tendency OF the testimony He called the atten
ton of the Court to the fact that Mr. Gilbert had.
during the examination. asked of Girard the inter-
prefer, question Of similar purport as to whether
he had any ill-feeling toward Major Reno. who had
once discharged him from his position interpreter
The Court decided not to admit testimony Of this
character.
DID cusrER's OFFICERS FIGHT?
The cross-cxamiIation was continued and brought
out the fact that the departure to the right was the
whole idea of witness that there would be fight
alone and it was his duty to be where he could give
assistance He had pursued the line of his order far
enough. he thought, though there was no limitation
except as to valleys. The Indians remained in the
bottom perhaps thirty to sixty minutes after witness
came up, but he did not believe the whole of them
left at all. He knew from Indian sources that
the Indians were prepared to ambush Reno
IL he sought to ont to the attack.
Witness did not believe that the officers Of
Clusters command had fought with their companies.
There Sustained resistance far as the evil
were were found with their companies. If there
officers to lead it, and they would have died outside
OF enclosure like the men. The evidence was that
tried to defend itself to the last. Four officers had
never been found, viz, Dr. Lord and Lieutenants
ar be- cantves wth the Indians t1day This con-
cluded Colonel Benteen's evidence.
ILEurENAST EDGxRiEY TELLS THE STORY:
The frst witness sworn was Lieutenant Winfield 8.
Edgcrley. of the Seventh cavalry, stationed al
Fort Abraham Lincoln. He testified to the division
MED Colonel Ienteen. When the command arrived
at line bluffs Colonel Bentcen sent his first lieu-
tenant Gibson. up tho bluf Upon returning
he reported q long stretch of country. with
Indians In sight The return to Clusters trail was
the message from Custer. the view Of Reno's men
fighting in the bottom. the arrival OF the command
the hill and the union with Reno. all OF
which was fully given in Colonel Benteen's
testimony. Witness overheard Martin. the
trumpeter. telling Colonel Benteen's orderly
in jocular manner that Custer had reached the big
gest village he had seen aud was charging and
killing everything before hm--men. women and
faintIy. % 1t was mot not at any time very distinct and
when the command got on to the hill the troops were
coming up There were about eight hundred or one
thousand Indians to be seen running about In the
bottom.
One of the hrst persons by the witness on the
hill Major Reno. He was in very excitod con-
dition. He had lost his hat and wore . white hand
kerchcf around his head. While the witness was
looking at him he rushed to tho edge of the hill and
fired his pistol down toward Where the Indians We're:
the nli. away out Of pistol range
CRYING ASp swxAHISG.
Ono of the next persons seen by the witness was
Lieutenant varnuna. He. too was very much ex-
cited and crying After telling the witness about tho
terrible losses they. had had he turned angry.
it seemed but step to shooting, and he
took u gun and began shooting. toward the
and asked the witness it he had any water and IL hc
had for Gods sake 10 give IL to him. for he had over
twenty dying or thrstf Inc Witncss was sur
prised ut the coolDess OF some OF the men.
CAPTAIN wrIRs DELIvERAScE.
After the Indians had apparently retired witness
marched with Captain Weir and their companies to
advanced position In Clusters direction and to AID
him. After rapid march Of three miles or so they
came in sight of the battle ied Saw Indians gallopng
around and firing ut objects on the ground. The
Indians advanced toward him. Captain French
came up and tod him the retreat was sounded.
Witness opposed the movement. but had 10 leave.
Couldn't assist wounded , man VINO lay IN his his ra,''
as French passed the retreat. Don't Know VINO nal
1orolf fIa ala In hp mi
HELL THE HILL
Saw Reno when he returned Just then vcry
heavy firing commenced at close rifle range. the
Indians pressing In upon them. Witness did not look
around extensively after this. The hght lasted an
hour and half. Saw Captain Godfrey and Lieuten-
ant Weir encouraging their men. Saw 3entecn
standing ia q position, with smile on his face.
teen shout to Reno that he had driven
the Indians from his side and they now coming
at him. Look out for them now.' he said: Reno
sung out. Ready then. boys! Give 'em hell' Reno
In a rife pit; him during the hght and
ON the morning of the second day; when he saw
near Colonel Bentecn's command to see about
the horses. Major Reno lying on blanket. Ho
said Good morning. and asked the witness what ho
had been doing The witness said he had been sleep
ing. and Colonel Reno said, Good God, i don't see
how you can sleep Tne wsneis s1~ Nv tls p,t Win
Lieutenant Weir.
Being asked what he thought OF Major Reno's con-
duct the 25th and 2Gth, the witness repheu;--
When he first got up the hill he was excitod but
not enough to impair his efficiency or discourage
the men; there was need OF many orders aud ho
did All that was necessary; II plain to the OFF,
GERS what ought to be done; aterward he was cool.
and tho position selected was the best possible
within q radius of many miles.
HOW CUSTER
witness detailed his observation on the Custer
battle fied and to his mind there were ut first evi.
deuces of line OF defence. Calhoun had borne the
brunt of the engagement The last OF the command.
however, was considerably scattered: The fnal hill
where custer was found evidently grand
rnllyinr point. The evidence was that the
men had been overcome by good odds.
Knowing the soldiers, he did, witness
felt sure there had been hard fight while IL lasted.
He thought Custer and his men boldly fought thu
odds against them. Witness thought much Of tho
fring on the Custer battle field due to the
dom shots of the Indians to show their 10y. Clusters
command must have been killed within twenty or
twenty-onc minutes.
The Court adjourned until ten o'clock tomorrow.
v,,rx, ,<,,.,~ ,,...-..,,x,