Wichita eagle., 1888-04-29

grassy hills and heavily-timb slopes
and bottom lands spreading before the eye
along the mighty river The Little Heart
river empties into the Missouri near Lin
coin, and, though quite stream, it adds
but little TO the nlightier current in which il
is lost. Three years ago the quarters on the
hill were abandoned, and nothing marks the
spot except few trees, planted and nur-
tured by the soldiers years ago A mile
away on hillside is a cemetery numerous
white headstones marking the graves Of the
brave boys who surrendered life in battle
with the Indian or wasted to death in fever
The cemetery was recently reinforced by
interments from the abandoned post of Fort
Abercrombie, near Fargo. The cavalry
quarters under the hill ROMAN intact as IN
the days of General Custer, its most re-
nowned commandment The troopers are
gone and in their stead infantry do the
routine drudgery Of camp life. There are
only two companies at Lincoln, the nearest
cavalry being at Fort Yates, sixty miles be-
low, at Standing Rock agency We saw
the tepees of a few Mandan Indians scat
tered along the bluffs, but the Mandans cut
no figure in holding bacl, white settlement,
except by retaining large reservation in
the northwest part of the Territory.
General Custer had six companies while at
Lincoln, all that the barracks would accom-
modate. He was the youngest Major Gen
eral of the volunteer service during the re-
bellion, but his rank in the regular army
was that of LieutenantC Colonel. to which he
was appointed in 1865. His regiment was the
Seventh Cavalry, with which he served five
years in Kansas and two years in Ken
lucky. In 1873 he was sent to Dakota and
no in no oct
Hills went to his final command at Fort
Lincoln. Custer was good deal Of sports
man, keeping pack of forty hounds and
number of race-horses, his race track at
Lincoln still being pointed out 10 visitors.
lie had q room in his house which he called
his ''den." where he displayed the trophies
of the chase, and the collection was large
and of rare interest. During MS later years
no was somewhat morose and exacting, and
not altogether popular with his command.
His rapid rise u the volunteer service at
tanning the high rank OF Major-General at
twenty-eight years Of age, gave him posi-
ton and distinction which he did not find
subsequently in a subordinate position on
the frontier. The Colonel OF his regiment
was General Terry, and between the two
neither of whom were West Point gradu-
ates, there existed a feeling of rivalry
Custer was courageous and daring 10 a
fault and ambitious. and chaffed under the
restraint Of post life. Prior TO the fateful
campaign Of Ls76, for some infractiou of
discipline he had been ordered TO appear
before a courtnartial, instigated by his
Colonel, but the hearing had been post
poned on account Of the Sioux outbreak.
which called into the field all of the availa-
bic troops in the department Of the North.
west
Custer left Fort Lincoln with coo cavalry
ana 100 infantry, and under orders from
General Terry took five companies ana fol-
owed the trail UP the Yellowstone river
on the side opposite from the main com
mand. On Sunday, June 25, be disoov-
cred the Indians under Sitting Bull and
Crazy Horse il camp OF Little Big Horn
river, in Montana. With his small CON-
mand be lmpuisively dashed into the en-
campment, estimated by Terry. Glbbon |
and Reno 20 contain al least 5000 armed |
warriors, although Mrs. Custer II her book !
Boot and Saddle" puts the number az
1900. The result IS known; the five com |
panies consisting Of 247 men and ~ officers |
were completely annihilated and Custer |
went 10 the court-rlsrtisl before which a. 4
mortality must appear.
Fame and csnsure with te;her
By fate are always linked together
l. Is not probable that the West VIII ever
again De troubled with uprisiags Of any con
sequence among the Indians who appreciate |
aud understand the strength OF the general |
Government The reservation indians are 4
given food and rainent without mouey or /
price, except the stipulation to be good sud /
remain at home. ard the prophets. or rneGi-
cine men, who heretofore exerted great IL
fuence II provoking trouble. have rather lost 4
their grip, The common run Of redskins row
preferring TO draw their supplies peacefully |
at the agencies. rather than risk the privs-
tons aad dangers Of the war path TIE
average Indian don't talk much, but lie
seems TO DO heap OF thinking. A: the
agencies they are 81 registered with En-
SIsh pS1sS and slch QussS. enss. too. al