The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1886-07-08
CHEF CALLS STORY.
OF the Custer Battle, as Told Upon the Field.

Especial to Helena independently
The Indian village extended up and
down the Little Big Horn for IA very
long distance. Sitting Bull and myself
were camped mt the upper end, near
the point attacked by Reno. Scouts
discovered soldiers in the morning
crossing the end of Wolf mountains
and approaching the village. They saw
them divide, one part going towards
the upper end of the village and part
to the lower. We drove our horses to
the lower end Of the camp and sig
nailed for all our men to come. An
left the lodges and went into the brush
along the Little Horn. Reno's soldiers
ilrst struck camp and were repulscd bv
the Indians and driven to the hills.
Clusters force was then met near "a dry
rayine, some distance from the river.
which was never reached by him.
When the attack was made some sol
diers dismounteG, fighting on foot.while
the whole command retrcaied up the
hill closely followed by the Indians.
The warriors were like grass, surround
ing the troops on all sides. Men, wo-
men and boys all fought. Many sol
dlers could not use their guns becausp
the shells became fast in them and
threw them away. As the troops re-
treated up the bill the soldiers dl,-
mounted and one man left here and
there IL hold the horse, while the
other, fought. We picked the holder,
of and, when the horses stampe,led.
drove them down the river by swinging
blankets. They were caught by Chcv-
enncs near the mouth of the Little
Horn. some horses ran around the
fields, swimming the river and were,
caught by women and children in
camp. y few soldiers escaped from
the field and crossed the river where
they were killed.
Eleven Indians were killed on Reno
creek and four at the foot uf the bluffs
ut the Custer battle ground. Some
wounded warriors CROSSED the rivrraui
died near camp. The hntile began al
about noon and the last man wa,
killed about sunset. The troop, fought
strong. Two companies OF sollirrs
who disnounted on the hill aud on
deavorcd 10 drive back the Indians.
were all killed together. ,Sonic of the
Chcycrncs were ia thr battle fehiiu.
with The Sioux. Indians were in ali
the ravincs surrounding the battle
ridge, and the soldiers had no chance
To escape. The last men fcll AT the
extreme end of the ridge toward- the
Yellowstone. ! do not know whcr,
Custer fell or who killed him. There
were too many men in ia" battle aul
too much excitement. Inr soliirr-
sometimes left their horses and IAN in
all directions being shot down in hiynt.
they made hroastHor,;- Of
'lead horses. Aftcr the fight with Puaa
/ bad found the dead hndicS 81 NV
vile ar! t~o children ia my tcpcc uear
the timber. My heart was bad aud
fought the Custer soldier, with the
hatchot. cutting them 20 good d,.t.
.,id not take gun from thc dead .ul
ilerS. Caster, men were aU tt,'.i
some time before the soldiers i..H
lteuo's hill came towards iho iaitl,
ground. Next day after the haif'.
-lW dust rising down tn" Hi. Horn ana
moved camp up Lodge Polo crecI. e,
Ihe Big liorn muuuiaif- Their.
stayed four days. We thea went uar,h.
The Indians loss was furty-two or fir.v-
three on the battle ground. There
were many wounded and ou the rr'rt.,'
-hey died fast. We carried our u.,d
with u, and buried ilem iu tr-
along our trail.
rER~EY'- ISTrErIEU.
Dr. \. II. Ilcrsoy. 81 Billings. who
the above. held ar interview