The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-05

ton comes upon me.
In the dead of night we stripped of
blankets from Indian corpses lying
close to our cache. and with these
wrapped about us we filed in Indian
fashion up the stream. We were at q
loss to know what course to pursue to
reach Reno's camp. Our first effort
was to get outside the Sioux picket
line or dead circle" Threading our
way cautiously along. we suddenly
came upon a body of fifteen Indian
guards. To hesitate was TO be discov-
cred; to recoil meant instant death.
Pushing bravely on we were about to
pass unheeded. when one of the braves
demanded to know who we were. /
was an expert in the Sioux language
and quickly replied us" Where are
you going?" was asked. For our
horses" said 1 in answer, and we
passed without molestation. TO reach
the point where we knew Reno was
beleaguered at nightfall was our de-
termination. hoping to follow his trail
IL he had retreated further during the
time. Crossing the stream we followed
a dim trail along its banks, which led
through a heavy growth of timber. Pur-
suing this path we came to an opening
surrounded by tall cottonwood trees.
In this open space We're several hum
dred Indians. AS we came close be-
hind them the mufiied tones OF voices
were thought by Gerard. of our party.
to be those of our friends. and fear
ing to be shot by the sentinels he call
ed out: Don't shoot, boys; we are
friends" The startled Indians shouted
in chorus: Lay non; wah-se-cha ah-he-
pee ah-lo." 1t is the. enemy; the bad
SHOWS (pale faces) are upon us.) At
this ! dropped my blanket and sprang
out through the timber. running away
from the trail. AS ran I heard foot
steps close behind me. and fed In ex-
pectation of being knitted every mo-
ment. Reaching the river bank an ex-
clamation revealed the fact that my
pursuer was none other than Gerard,
who chose my route in his fight. No
one seemed to be following us. We
stood still and listened. Our two COM
panions at the moment of discovery
had turned about and ran back upon
the trail, holly pursued by the Indians.
We heard four shots, and our hearts
sank within us. The shots meant the
death of our friends. Pausing no long,
er, we plunged into the stream and
SWdD dCTOcSs lOllOWlnk the OQDO-
site bank until we found ii unsafe to
go further because day was breaking.
Secreting ourselves in willows, we lay
concealed through the day, silent wit
nesses of the battle that followed. AS
the sun rose on June rs, we could see
the camp of Reno about a mile away.
with Indian warriors circling around
on every hill. Desultory firing began
ona continued tiIl q oscIoclx xxvhop
the savages made a desperate assault
on the east side of the soldiers posi-
ton. The trained fire of the soldiers
caused the assailants to fall back with
great loss. Rallying their forces, they
forced another attack at a little after
10 o'clock. Yelling like demons, they
charged recklessly upon the breast
works held by Colonel Benteen and
Captain French. So furious was this
dash, hand-to-hand conflict took
place. But again did discipline out
match great odds in numbers, and the
Indians were driven off. The damage
to the soldiers was slight. while their
foes suffered severely. Firing at long
range was continued, doing most dam
age to the army horses and mules.
which were in the lowest ground. Be
tween IL and / o'clock a third charge
was made against the soldiers. which
was easily repealed. From this time
until about o'clock but little effort
was made on either side.
Shortly after the Indians gathered in
council about 1000 yards away. shell
tered by a hill, and in little while
the village was observed busy prepar-
ing to remove. Their numbers seemed
to be several thousands. Lodges were
struck. ponies and travels laden. and
hurried off towards the north under
convoy of warriors. Their route was
toward the Big Horn mountains. By
shutdown not an Indian remained. In
the darkness We ventured forth and
hurried toward our friends encamp-
ment, going cautiously as we APP
preached lest we be shot by the scnti-
nels. We met General Reno, Benteen,
Edgerly and Varnum just inside the
lines. to whom we gave an account of
our adventures. They heard our story
of the fate of our two comrades, De-
ridio and Tom O'Neal. with sal faces.
Ere II was finished a challenge was
heard and an orderly appeared con-
Quoting the supposedly dead men into
the presence of the officers. Our SER
prise and Joy was complete.
Reno's loss in two days fighting was
As killed and so wounded. On the morn
ing Of June % / was mounted on. the
best remaining horse, and started with
dispatches for General Terry and Gen
eral Custer. IL alive.
Three miles down the Little Big
Horn 1 came upon the Custer battle
ground, 235 men lay dead about me:
their bodies were stripped of every
particle of clothing and ornament. But
one body was unmutilated. and that
was the remains of the noble Custer.
who, though robbed OF his clothing,
had only two bullet wounds--one in
his head. another in his side. I was
the first to discover this horrible sight.
Turning from the scene, rode swift
ly as possible down the river. shortly
afterward meeting General Terry and
reinforcements. He received my dis
ma fches and repOrt of Clusters fate