The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-09-05
The Chronicles of the Yellowstone
An Accurate Description Of county its Indians the Early
Settlers; Their Struggles with the Aborgnes, and
Interesting "reminiscences Gathered from
ea The Early Pioneers.
for and willie in book forml

10TH
than 1000 Indians all told. From this
belief came the massacre Of Custer, fol
that General thought that he could
easily whip the camp with his regiment
and Gen. Terry let him 60, which he
would not have done had he placed the
proper amount of confidence in hii
scouts.
On the morning of Ae 22d of June the
camp at the mouth of the Rosebud was
broken up; Terry with his Infantry and
Gibbon with his whole force moved uI
the Yellowstone and Custer with his en-
tire regiment, the 7th Cavalry and quite
large pack train want up the Rosebud
Before Terry, Custer and Gibbon part
ed they held council Of war, and the
testimony Of what passed then and what
orders Custer received, are conflicting
By some remarks that Custer made
those with him were led to believe that
he was authorized to attack the enemy
when found, without further orders
From things said by the other generals
after the massacre, it would appear that
he was not to attack till the commands
were near enough together to support
ne another. How it really lies, Terry,
Gibbon and Brisbin only know.
When twenty miles up Rosebud Greek
Custer found the Sioux trail, which COM
ing from the Little Missouri river rn up
the Rosebud for GO miles more and then
turning to the right. crossed the Little
Wolf Mountains and down to the Little
Horn river. .
Custer made. long drives and on the
evening of the oath camped on the Wolf
Mountains % miles of the Indian camp.
Lieut.. Chas. Varnun, who had charge OF
the Rec scouts came in from the front at
about nine in the evening and reported
having seen the camp. At 12p. IN. the
column again took up their march and
travelling till daylight, camped within
1teh miles of the foe.
Here Gen. Custer divided his regiment
into three battalions. Under his direct
command were five companies, c. E. F.
l. and L. Major Reno was given charge
of Companies A., M. and j., and to Cap
tain Benteen's battalion was given H.,
D. and X. Companies, while the remain.
ing company B, under Capt. McDougal
was left to guard the pack train.
At this place the Little Horn river
runs nearly north. The troops were on
its east side and about eight miles from
the extreme upper end of the Indian
camp, which extended for four miles
more.
Gen. Clusters plan was for the battal-
ions to travel together for ways, then
for Benteen to turn off and strike the
upper end of the camp. Major Reno
was to hit them near the camps centre
while Custer would take the extreme
lower end of the lodges. Major Reno
was to be the first to strike and Custer
and Benteen was to support by an at.
tack at either end of the encampment.
Clusters and Reno's battalions travelled
along the foot hills side by side for about
five miles. When they were separating
Custer told all the scouts to join Reno
All did 90 but Mich Boyer and two Crow
Indians.
Mich Boyer was French and Sioux
half breed who had lived with the Grows
for many years. He had long had a pre-
sentiment that his life would be taker
by the Sioux and in consequence had 6
deadly fear Is well as hate of them. He
in the morning hadtold Custer that there
were Indians enough in that camp tt
eat the entire command. Custer looked
at him a mo.nent and then turning tc
his men gave the command, Forward"
Major Reno from the point of separa
ton turned toward the river. As ht
came the Indians gave way before, him
Crossing the river he dashed on for {
quarter of a mile andat the edge of {
bunch of timber-which lies in thu
shane of horse shoe with the toe point
touching the stream-he stopped ant
sending every fourth man In the timber
with the horses, formed the others in
skirmish line. There were but Aev
Sioux showed themselves and these wer,
dashing around on horseback at abou
700 yards distance. Immense clouds o
dust were rolling up in every direction
and this must have demoralized Majo
Reno for after about twenty minutes fir
ing he, without apparent oause-for thu
troops could have held the timber agains
the whole Sioux force-ordered o retrea
and struggling mass of soldiers recross
ed the creek and rushed up the hill.
When the retreat commenced the In
dians saw their opportunity and dashin,
after the troops killed % Q, them in thi
mad five minute ride from the river Il
the hill.
When the skirmish line was formet
the three scouts were together at the ex
treme left. Before the retreat came they
became separated and neither of then
heard the order to retreat. When Her
endeen saw that the soldiers had gont
! he rushed for his horse and mounting
rode out. At the edge he saw twelve
soldiers who had been left behind ant
together they started for camp. There
were 80 many Indians in front of then
that they turned back to the timber and
cached themselves. When the lul
came they again tried it and reached
camp in safety.
Girard and Charley Reynolds knew o
the retreat before Herendeen but whel
they left the timber the soldiers wer
qOO vovv3a ahead Of them and themselye