The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-25
CUSTER'S MARCH TO DEATH.

Written for TIE SUNDAY INDEPENDENTLY
The massacre of Gen. George w. Custer,
with his whole command, June 25, 1876, on
the hills above the Little Big Horn, sent
thrill of horror through the hearts OF the
whole people, and has excited, and will con-
tinue to excite, the interest of millions IN
the fate of as brave and gallant an army as
ever marched to death. As the anniversary
of the battle will soon be here, some facts
which the writer has gathered in regard to
the expedition which ended so disastrously
may be of interest.
While Gen. Terry's force lay near the
mouth of the Rosebud, a few days before
the battle, the number of the Indians was
ascertained to be very great, and they were
so emboldened that they showed them
selves close to the army. A number of
them crossed the Yellowstone and killed
several teamsters who were after deer and
in the excitement went beyond relief.
Lieut.. Bennett, who was afterwards killed
by the Bannacks near the Saltwater, led
accommodating party up the Rosebud and
saw their tepees and smoke from them In
the valley of that stream. indicating that
there were thousands of Indians in the
camp. As he retired he was observed and
| followed, anu Vu6 party WAS OuAy bdSCA OC
cause of the heetness of their horses and
the firing of some shells into the pursuers
from the grass on the north side of the
river.
Notwithstanding these evidences of num-
bers, Gen. Custer. to whom Gen. Terry gave
the command of the party that was to pur-
sue the Indians and bring them to bay
until he should arrive, insisted that the
Seventh cavalry, his regiment, was strong
, enough for the purpose intended. lie dld
this when four other companies of cavalry
were offered him, and he might have had
whatever he wanted from the troops and
guns at hand. His own captains, as brave
men as ever rode to death, feared the result
and said that Custer seemed determined to
lead them to Tho fight against odds that
were too great, and when negotiations
failed to induce Custer to take more troops
or even a howitzer. Capt. keogh went on
board the boat and wrote his will. believing
he would never return alive.
Gen. Clusters reluctance to take more
, troops and his evident desire to rush into q
, fight is not easily accounted for. He wal
under a cloud, it is true, and no doub'
wished to do something brilliant to re-es
tabiish himself in favor. but so generous
man would not have risked the lives OF MI
> men if he had not believed that his force
was sufficient. Why the facts which caused
4 others to fear the result made no impres
, sion upon him will never be known. III
: had been summoned to Washington to ties
t tify before the committee on the expendi
!, lures of the war department IN regard I,
! the sale of post traderships by Gen. Bel
KNAPP, secretary of war, ana IN NJ
testimony said something which
reported seemed to reflect upol
President Grant, who teleerapne'
9 Gen. Sheridan at Chicago to arrest MIN
{; Gen. Sheridan did not arrest him formally
Il but sent for him to come to his office, AM
! told him what had occurred, but asked hin
to stay until he could hear from the presi
dent. He telegraphed the president that
p would seriously jeoperdize the success OF IN
q expedition then ready to start against IN
\. Sioux, and asked that the order OF arrest
suspended until the campaign was over
y Grant telegraphed in return that what onei
a idan thought best was right, ana SO ouste
b Joined the army which was put unoei th
Is command of Gen. Terry. 10 one OF u
n proud, sensitive nature this lncident was l
.e doubt CALLING. but if Custer had believed !
4 could not have conquered the enemy !
r would not have risked the lines OF ms me
y I in the struggle.
It i'll correctly remember the dase, Sust
& left the Yellowstone ON the I'D OF Jun
IS with the assurance from Terry tnat
y | would be at the mouth of the Lutte ID
| Horn on the evening of the 3otn. Ter
kept his word though he did not arrive ~
til nearly midnight. The next morning y
ar l cavalry under Gen. Brittin got unoct
and met Indian scouts short distance ITO
the camp bringing word that Custer ~
" of his force were massacred. ne &C