Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-08-07

ground to an edge. But they We're in
the hands of resolute men, who hoped
to obtain better weapons from their
slain or captured enemies.
Graham was in frequent comnunica-
ton with Col. Davie, who with his
force, was skirmishing in front of the
| British lines to impede its march Late
a the afternoon George Graham was
sent to Davie to obtain further infor-
nation and Burton and Angus volun-
teered to accompany him. BY night
fall they noticed the vanguard of the
small force, whose very audacity had
doubled their numbers in British esti-
nation. Both the hostile forces halted
in the evening to rest and cook supper,
and the Wing soldiers, with quick hos
p~itality, shared their coarse, limited
rations with the three young men who
had joined them. About 10 O'Clock the
moon rose, and scouts came in with
tidings that the English army was again
in motion. Graham and his followers
took places in the rear of the little col
umn led by Dayie, who now contented
himself with keeping well in advance
that he might carry out n plan that was
forming in his mind. His active scouts
lowered in front Of the enemy and.
while doing nothing TO provoke a con
ilict, kept sufficiently near to note all
movements
Thus the Two commands-the little
handful of men with Davie and the
British army, led by the world-rc-
nowned Cornwa ll's-moved steadily
forward through the night over the
billy country road. Sometimes the
moon S rays glilted family on rile-bar-
rcls. b~ayonets and scabbards, but more
often men and horses marched in dim
outline beneath the shadowy forest.
When it became evident that the
enemy proposed TO enter the town that
night. George Graham and his two
friends were directed to ride forward
rapidly and report the fact to Maj. Graz
ham. There had been ne sleep IN
Charlotte, and when the small Wing
force under Davic arrived at midnight
it received q warm welcome. The It'd
ings brought kindled the flames Of ex-
element seven times hotter. The Brit
ish army, the terrible Tarleton, was
but Il mile away and coming directly
on. Some ~bcsought Davies protection
and regretted their request, for
his effort to comply would bring on the
battle about their very doors. But the
policy Of the rcsolute partisan oflicers
was not TO be influenced by the con
ni,tipr ,i,un, Of ti,. nill,.,Ary uvhA Ill.
50 many other residents in war-
trampled regions, must take their
chances like the soldiers. The major
ity of the men. and, indeed, of the
women of Charlotte, were eager that
at least one blow should be struck be-
fore their hearths were desecrated. We
can have little idea of the depth of
feeling which then existed. CORVALLIS
had ordered the hanging Of many pa
triots whom the people of this region
knew well. Tarleton's troopers had
notonly fought the Wing soldiery with
fiery courage, but also had savagely
butchered them after they had sur
rendered. And now. at the
dread hour of midnight, these
cruel officers and sheir red
handed men were approaching defense
less homes. Little wonder that there
was almost mortal terror or desperate
courage on every side, according to
the temper of those who faced the aw-
full emergency
Col. Davies quick eye took in the
chances for defense. The forty odd
houses were built on streets that inter
sected each other ut right angles. In
front of the court house was a stone
wall breast high. ~Disnounting his
cavalry he placed them behind this
partial cover. Farther on down the
street bv which the British would en-
ter, and lining it on either side, were
fences and garden shrubbery. Behind
these distractions he placed his infan-
try and the men Of the region who had
volunteered under the leadership of
Major Graham.
fro RE CoNTJNTEn