The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-09-19

~buuy HON III IlluulC nv WIN
remember the thrill OF horror that con
vulscd the entire community on that
day In June, 1876, when the news was
flashed along the wires from the dis
tant valley OF the Big Horn. telling OF
the defeat and death OF the gallant
Custer and his six superbly equipped
troops OF the Seventh United States
Cavalry.
No such tragic fate had befailcn n
body OF soldiers since the famous
charge OF the Light Brigade at Balnls-
lava, and In fact the Custer massacre
stands to-day the most conspicuous
example OF desperate and heroic our
age eve displayed by civilized soldiers
OF any age or country. Three hundred
cavalrymen, the pride and flower OF
the American mounted service. led by
the intrepid Custer, who hld never
before known defeat. whether fighting
the battles OF the civil war, or cngaS-
ed In combats with savage foes on the
western plains, were for many hours
surrounded by 5000 Sioux Indian war
rlors, well armed with modern wea-
pons. and with unfinclhnS courage
fought them until the last nan per-
lshed. The sole survivor OF that
bloody conflict was the thoroughbred
horse. "Comradc." owned by General
Custer, which Is still living and ten
derby cared for In his old age by the
widow OF the dead soldier.
Not a soul was left to tell how they
fought or how they died, but when the
relief column reached that fatal field.
they found the dead heroes lying sim
ely and In groups within a narrow
space around their dead commander.
and every corpse save that of Custer
mutllated almost beyond recognition.
1t has since been learned that by the
Interccssion and positive commands Of
Raln-In-the-Face. who was Sitting
Bulls chief lieutenant, the body of
Custer was left unmolested. as a marx
of respect and admiration Of the
prowess and courage OF the white
chIeftaIn who had 50 often worsted
them In battlei He was found where
he fell with a single bullet hole In his
temple, but whether he died by the
hand OF a savage. or whether when all
was lost, the shot that ended his NOR
tai career was self inflicted, will never
certainly be known.
Military critics have exclusively
discussed, and military authorities
have officially investigated every de-
tull COl1ltClcu Will lIt uISdSlIpuS GA
petition eliminating In the extinction
OF this brave command. The concen-
sus of opinion Is that the responsible
ity for the dire disaster rests upon
General Custer himself. and he Is ac-
cused OF recklessness and dlsubedience
OF orders, but II this be true, may we
not %extenuate the grievous fault. for
as Marc Antony has said Of Caesars
fault. Most grlevously hath he an
swered It."
Captai:; ". II. C. Bowen, United
States Army. who Is to deliver q lecture
on this subject at the Opera House, on
Tuesday evening. next. has perhaps
given greater attention. n more care
fully and critically examined all the
circumstances connected with this III
fated expedition than any other officer
OF the service. For twelve years he
was stationed within 4 few miles OF
the scene of battle, and In pursuing his
Investigations has interviewed many
OF the Sioux chiefs and warriors who
participated In the fight, and has gath
cred from them many Interesting de-
tails Of the terrible conflict. which he
will relate In the course Of his lecture.
I;e. too, Is forced to the conclusion
that the fearless Custer wholly under
estimated tlN strength Of his enemy,
and exceeded his orders In making the
attack unsupported by the ~co-operat-
ing columns Of Gibbon and Terry, and
he In the opinion of other crit
les who blame the general for dividing
his command In the face OF such over
whelminS numbers.
Captain Bowen was himself with the
column OF General Gibbon, and arrlv-
ell on the field too late to take part in
the fight, but from his opportunities
to examine the subject he IS now the
best living authority TO nnrrate the in
cldents OF this memorable campaign
rs they actually occurred. EdiSon'S
kaleidoscope was not lnysnted in 1876,
but Captain Bowen has collected por-
traits OF all the prominent actors In
the sangu!nary drama. and many ac-
curate views OF the battle fields. and
every scene and incident Is faithfully
reproduced and artistIcally illustrated.
All who take an interest In the martial
exploits OF American soldiers. and en-
terrain n reverence for brave men and
brave deeds. should not fall TO attend
Captain Bowers lecture, which will
never be repeated In this city.