The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-01

which at that point was quite narrow
and taken position upon the top OF the
bluff on the other side.
''Fortunately for us, there was fork
in our log, one end of which was In the
air, and at the proper angle to protect
us from the enemy's new vantage point;
so, creeping carefully up into the crotch,
we awaited further developments. Pretty
soon it became evident that they were
going to burn us out, and the fire came
so near that we had to vacate in hurry.
We run before the fire for quarter of a
mile, when we crossed an open space
where only few leaves would give food
to the flames. Here we stopped, and
when the fire reached us wrapped our
coats around our heads and dashed
through it. The smoke was 80 dense
that we knew that our enemies could not
see US; so We again found hiding place
near the river, and waited for night.
"When it grew dark we swan the
river, and srriving at the other side
found the bank 80 steep that we could
not land. We foated down with the
current for a long distance until we
reached the mouth of ravine and crept
out. We had had nothing to eat and
had not slept for forty-eight hours, and
were faint from hunger and fatigue. |
remembered that about five miles back
from where we had crossed the river on
the morning of the battle, we had passed
the carcass of buffalo that the Indians
had killed but short time before; so
we determined to hunt for the trail, and
60 for it. =,
"The country was very broken, and
the climbing difficult, and we had gone
only a mile or two when the Sergeant
gave out, declaring that he could 60 no
further. As, according to our caIcula-
tions, we could not be more than mile
from the dead buffalo, decided to 60 for
for it and come back to the Sergeant
afterward, and had climbed the next hill
to carry out the plan, when for of in
the distance saw light-appnrently a
camp fire. called to the Sergeant, and
receiving no reply. went back to him
and found him fast asleep, but finally sue
ceeded in awakening him and getting
him up the hill.
"Of course, we could not tell whether
the fire was that of our friends or our
foes, but decided to take the risk and go
toward it. 1t was long and painful
tramp, but we finally reached tho foot of
the hill upon which the fire was. Cau-
tiously we commenced the ascent, and
and had decided to wait for day in q
clump of brush some distance ahead,
when clear and distinct on the night air
came the we'll known cry:
"'Half past 2 o'clock and all's we'll.
HWith feeble CRY and renewed en-
ergy we push forward. The sentinel had
heard us, and body of the guard came
out to meet us and help us in. Here we
found what was left of Reno's command,
who learned from us of the dcfeat Of
Clusters detachment. Scouting parties
sent out the next day reported the In
diaus all gone, and the day following
the infantry came up.
IL was with the party that went out to
hunt for the remains of Clusters party,
and sad scene it was when We found
them. Groups, or rather piles, of dead
men and horses showed where final
stands had been made to no avail. The
bodies were so mutilated, and by this
time so decomposed, that it was impos,,
sible to recognize them. We buried
them in a common grave, and many a
manly tear was shed over the sad fate of
80 many brave comrades"
When the Count had finished his
story We thanked him for his kindness,
and left him with the memories that its
recital had reca.led.-NeW York Sun.