The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-09-01
Now Doing Duty with the Fed
eral Troops at Fort McHenry.
He Tells the Story Of the Famous Indian
Battle-How His Life Happened
to be Saved by Special
Assignment.

1915, alter wlnterlnq at Fort Rice
a large detachment from the Seventh
Regiment, u. S. l., was sent word to
prepare for an expedition against
the Sioux Indians under Sitting Bull
in Montana, who we're exceedingly
troublesome and vicious toward the
settlers and troops. Our troops
started from Fort Abraham Lincoln
on May II, 1876, and well do | re-
member the day, and the brave APP
pearance the boys all bore as they
departed from headquarters. The
entire distance, l judge, was between
500 and 600 miles and we were from
May II until the latter part of June
on the march.
Our first halt, that is for any length
of time, was at the intersection of
the Powder and Yellowstone rivers,
where we remained several days I'M
til the Government supply boat put
in an appearance. When we had
been given our rations we resumed
our march, and did not stop until
we had come to the junction of the
Tongue and Yellowstone, where we
again awaited the arrival of the sup
ply boat. General Terry, with the
companies of the Sixth and Sew
enth infantries, boarded the boat,
and our cavalry was left to resume
the tramp alone. General Custer
took command of the troops at Gen
eral Terry's departure and through
his orders we were directed to repair
at once to Rosebud Valley, with
strict instructions to each man to be
supplied with rations for Is days,
and 100 rounds of ammunition. This
was signal of future trouble to all
of us, but | know that every man
was prepared for the worst, and went
out of camp on the memorable TWEEN
tysecond day of June, determined to
fight to the last.
"The regimental band which had
accompanied us thus far was left at
the Tongue river to return to the
fort, and the scene was indeed an
affecting one when Generals Terry
and Custer held their final interview,
and when, after General Terry had
issued his instructions to General
Custer, the band played the favorite
tune of General Custer, "Garrvowen,"
and returned to Fort Lincoln. The
Seventh set out for the valley, and
on the evening of the Oath, after
long march of 80 miles we pitched
camp and had just settled down to
rest, when ordered to break camp
and march till daybreak, and then
we halted again. That danger was
imminent could be easily understood
by the commanders order that every
man should stand by his horse, and
eat light breakfast and drink cup
of coffee. The men had scarcely time
to swallow their meal when "For-
ward" rang out and once more we
were on the trail of the wild and willy
Sioux.
"About five miles out from the
morning camp, June 25, the officers
call was sounded and General Gus.
ter gave orders for the day. The
regiment was to be divided into three
columns, in which order they were
to proceed. The Indians were now
about 10 miles ahead, and we were
to endeavor to overtake them. The
division of the regiment was arrang-
ed in this order: Five companies
under General Custer to take the
right flank; three companies under
Major Marcus A. Reno to take the
left flank; three companies under Col
Benteen to assume the center, with
orders to sweep everything before
them, and the twelfth company, I'M
der Captain McDougal, was to bring
up the rear in the center. | was in
General Clusters detachment, and
acted as bugler of the guard
"The first attack by the soldiers
was by Major Renos forces, who
reached the upper end of Sitting
Bulls village about 10 A. M. June %,
and were driven back, losing two off
GERS, several scouts, and about 80
men. General Custer was entirely
in ignorance of the mishap to Major
Reno. and the lower end of the vii
lage being not far distant from Gen
eral Clusters stand, he sent out a
dispatch for help to both Colonel
Benteen and Major Reno, anticipa-
ting warm struggle between his
men and Sitting Bulls warriors. II
was chosen to deliver the message,
and had to ride about 500 or 600
yards back to Colonel Benteen's
troops, and from there l proceeded
to Major Reno. The messages to the
officers were identical, and were sign
ed by General Clusters adjutant,
Cook. They read as follows:
"Come on. Big village. Bequick.
Bring packs. Cook"
Up. S.-Bring packs."
ut was this assignment that saved
my life," continued Bugler Martin,
"for, as all know, no one who took
part in the fight survived it. As to
the ride to Major Reno l remember
that met him on the retreat, and 1
remained with his forces, not daring
to hazard trip across the country
alone. In the meanwhile General
Custer was making his way to the
upper end of the Indian village.
"Benteen's men were also going in
that direction, when they came upon
the retreating lines of Major Reno's
troops, and the two bodies of soldiers
remained together. General Custer
had gone to the village and the In
dams who had defeated Major Reno's
detachment, FASTENED to the upper
end of the village, and the combined
forces of the upper and lower parts
of the village were much stronger
than those of General Custer, and
they hemmed in the United States
soldiers on all sides, and had them
completely at their mercy. Of the
battle know nothing, being away
from the company with Adjutant
Cooks message, and remaining with
the companies Of Major Reno and