The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-19

by the Sioux and Cheyennes Of Gen.
eral Custer I'M his command on the
Little Big Horn. OF that event but one
witness is known in Montana. and per-
haps in the world. From time to tim
stories are fioated of survivors of that
terrific onslaught of savages. but in
vestigation has destroyed the claims,
one by one. OF the 237 men who made
h charge with Custer at their head
not n came out alive. Further than
that, the bodies of those who fell were
so horribly mutilated by the indian
that but one, that of General Custer
himself, was easily recognized by those
who went onto the field afterward. The
best witness Of the incidents of the
massacre is now living at h Black
feet reservation. William Jackson. Aft
er a long life as government scout he
has turned his attention to the peace
ful occupation of ranching and CATTLE
raising. and in this pursuit he has been
quite successful. He is a half-breed by
birth, n in appearance has all the
better characteristics of h a class. He
is six feet or a little more in height and
straight as an arrow. He has not lost
the semi-military carriage of the gov
eminent scout and ne walks with an
athletic swing bred by days of tramp
shS WV tiC olio IN IhiOoh|
tains of Montana. He is well-educated
and in conversation talks excellent
English, which gathers additional
charm from the low-toned, musical
voice which pronounces it. In speaking
of his life he is naturally reticent, and
what he does tell is given as a perfectly
matter-of-fact experience, though the
facts related may be Of the most hair
raising type.
He was in the city recently, having
come from Helena, where he had been
a witness in the trial of Edgar Many
Guns. and among other places he Wis
tied the Standard Office, being a warm
admirer of Montana's great paper. 1t
was but natural that the conversation
should lead to a discussion of the Gus
ter massacre, and bit by bit the scout
gave the following story of what had
occurred upon the battlefield:
Mitch Bouille. William Cross and my
self were acting as guides and out
for the Custer-Terry expedition against
the Sioux and Cheyennes. who, under
the leadership of the willy old Sitting
Bull, had gone on the warpath. / was
about is years old at that time, but in
spite of my few years l a had con-
siderable experience in Indian warfare
and was of assistance to h older
scouts. The battle, as you know, took
place on u m %. 1876. On the morn
1Hk VI tld udy lie tIOoDtT II Ilduc
an early start and We, the scouts, had
gone ahead on a accommodating expedi-
ton. When we returned to report we
met the command crossing the divide
between the Rosebud and the Little Big
Horn rivers. General Custer rode at the
head of his command. the 9TH cavalry,
and Captains French and Benteen and
Major Reno were In command of other
divisions.
1--WE had discovered the hostiles
camped near the Little Big Horn and
seven miles straight ahead of the
soldiers. We so reported to General
Custer and he, calling a halt, summon
ed the officers under him for a council.
troops were shut out from view on
the part of the hostiles by a ridge of
land, and it was at the base of this that
the council of war was held. 1t lasted
but a few minute and Clusters desire
for an immediate engagement carried
the day. The soldiers were divided into
three battalions. Major Reno with three
companies and all Of the scouts was to
advance rapidly and from a command
ing ridge make a charge upon the up
per end of the Sioux camp. first gaining
a patch Of timber about 600 yards from
the enemy. In the meantime General
Custer. with five companies, would de-
ploy around the edge of the ridge where
they were now halted and attack the
lower end Of the village and cut off all
retreat o n the part of the Sioux. Cap
tain Benteen, with four companies,
would take up a position on the east
bank of the Little Big Horn. overlook
Ing the village and protecting the pack
train and baggage.
las the officers left the council they
quickly gave orders to the men. and in
instant all were busy inspecting and
loading their pistols and carbines, fill
their ammunition belts, tightening
cinches and looking to every detail
preparatory to the fight. Soon the
bugle sounded Prepare to mount.
Mount. forward" Custer and his men
went to the right, Reno to the left to-
ward the ford of the Little Big Horn.
The horses went forward at a sharp
trot, and in the moment of waiting on
the mi of the stream / looked back
and saw Custer with his five companies
charging Upon the village, Custer fully
so yards in the lead. That was the last
time 1 ever looked upon that heroic
soldier alive or his gallant men. We
were soon busy in making the ford.
which was somewhat difficult, and then
we advanced up the ridge. taking the
position assigned us at the council. Up
TO that time there had been no incident
of interest. The troops were dismount-
ed and the horses left in the care of
every fourth soldier. Everything was
ready for the fight to begin and the
wait was not long.
The hostiles had discovered us at
and took the initiative by making
q vicious charge up the hill. Their
main body gained a vantage ground
behind an elevation SUFFICIENT to pro-
tect them and just in front of our po-
sit.on. As they charged they drove in
our skirmish line, which took a posi-
ton just inside the timber The fight
was furious for a time. the Indians
Reno's command at
least ten to one A second charge from
the hostiles drove us still higher up the
ridge. at least one mile further from
the village. and 1t was in our retreat
we first heard the ounds of firing
In the lower end of the village where
was engaged. 1t could not
been very heavy, as he met but
few hostiles at the first of the engage |
ment. but IL was sufficient to draw the
Attention NJ the Indians away from us