The New York herald., 1879-02-06
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE HEDALD.l


CHICAGO. Feb 5, 1879.
The most interesting witness to-day in the Reno
inquiry was John Fritz who corroborated Churchill
in regard the attempt of Reno to say the former
with a carbine and baptizc the latter with wh,skey
At the opening of the Court this morning Captain
Godfrey was again put on the stand He testified
regarding the disposal Of forces and the condition Of
things on Reno's Hill the 25th and 26th. In re-
ply to the question If during those days he observed
any of hesitation timdity the part of
Major Reno witness said that on the morning Of the
second day Colonel Benteen made request for a
company of men. declaring that his side Of
the line severely pressed Major Reno
said that his side was also being SO
severely pressed that he could not spare a
company; Colonel Denteen made his request two or
three times. and at last company detailed to
him; that was the only act of hesitation witness
called on the part of Major Reno. The only act of
timidty he remembered was that he and Reno
were walking along the line under fire Reno
lodged once, and aughingly said he'd "be damned
ii he wanted to be killed by Indian; he'd been i'll
too many battles for that.
COLONEL BENrEEN THE ACTUAL COMMANDER.
Witness manifested considerable hesitation in
answering questions. When asked by the Recorder
whether Reno acted in courageous manner he
paused minute and said:-"fdid not observe his
qualifications particularly; as far as could judge
Colonel Benteen exercised the functions of COM
manding officer; but little could be done except lie
formed by Colonel Benteen." In reply to questions
asked by Mr.. Gilbert witness testified that
some of the captains had held high positions in the
army of the rebellion. were efficient soldiers and
had the confidence of Major Reno so far as the wit
ness knew; the nature of the exgencies the hill
was such that command had to devolve largely
the different officers; witness did remember hav-
ing seen Major Reno accompany the charge made by
Colonel Benteens men while the latter stood on .
high point and directed the movement.
NERVOUS TIMlDrrY.
In the opinion of the witness the fact of Reno
Jv;,,
if the gentleman for the defence liked the term any
better, Ito nervous tmidity.
Mr.. Gilbert-As matter of fact, do you not know
that the very best officers have lodged bullets?
Witness-Well, sir, presume they have.
Mr.. Gilbert-Do you not know that even so high
military authority as General Taylor said that he
would "aow his boys to dodge but not to run from
bullets?"
that story.
Upon the redirect examination he testified that
Colonel Benteen. while standing on the high point
to direct the charge being cautioned against tho
bullets which were whistling around him, said that
he had been through too many tough places to be
afraid of few Indian bullets
WANTED SHOOT PACKER.
The next witness was John Fritz, of st. Paul.
ment in the capacity of packer. He then described
how the pack train was brought up the HILL He first
saw Major Reno after the firing had ceased the
night oathe 25th he had gone toward the packs
and passing an officer whom he did not
notice at first. perceived moment later
that it was Major Reno; the witness saluted
him and sad ''Ciood evening SIR" Major Reno said
'Are the horses tied the witness said. Tied? what
| do YOU mean sir?' whcrenpon Major Reno slapped
| him in the face and said, Tiled. God damn YOU
then stepping back Major Reno seized carbine and
threatened to shoot Witness; he had bottle OF whis-
key in his hand, and he slapped the witness the
whiskey flew all over him; the witness event there
after blanket and some hard tack. not having had
| anything much to eat all day.
Upon the examination the witness said that
he knew nothing of skuking or theft on the part Of
| the packers. The witness had no hard feeling now
toward Reno because Reno smacked him in the face
| he would say that man in Reno's condition was
very drunk: he stammered and staggered and leaned
| up against the packs.
FRITZ CoNTRADICTED.
Colonel Benteen and Captain Edward G. Mathey
both called for the double purpose of rebuttng
the last witness testimony in regard to Reno being
drunk and also to testify that great many articles
had been stolen by the men in charge of the packs.
| Their evidence unnteresting.
The Court then adjourned until half-past ten to-