Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-12-29
HIIH NNES AND CUSTER. An Otderly's Tale of Fighting Indians With the Two
 Famous Generals. IS THE ONLY SURVIVOR Was With Custer the Day He Was Killed and Narrowly Missed
 His Commands Fate.

General Miles Remarkable Bravery Rode Across an open Field Under the Fire of
 Eight Hundred Tndians--A Sight Nevor to Be Forgotten-ResuItedi in His Promo
 ton to Brigadiership.
 To group of friends the other even- ing, William H. McGee, recalled some interesting "reminiscences of the Gus ter massacre and of the fight in the Bear Paw, when General Miles captur- ed the Neg Perces Indians under Chief Joseph.
 MT. MoGee was General Clusters or- derly on the day of the massacre and Is the last man now living who saw that officer and Is also the only sur viyor of the command with which Gus ter went forward, when he left Major Reno on that fateful morning of June 25, 1876.
 "Yes.' said Ne. "I was with Custer the day he was killed. was his order- ly that day and narrowly missed the tragic fate he and his command met at the hands of Sitting Bull and his horde of Indians. I am the only sur vivor of the command with which Gus. ter started out that morning, and owe my life to the fact that just a few moments before the Sioux fell on him, he sent me back to Major Reno with orders to the latter.
 About g o'clock one morning the command halted and Custer and Reno held consultation. l was only few feet away as they were talking. being Clusters orderly that day.
 They compared their watches, and moment later Clusters command was on it's way to the point where 1t met with annihilation. When we were, should judge, about mile from Reno, Custer turned to me and said:
 Orderly, do you think you can find the way back to Major Reno7"
 T replied: Yes, sir
 Go as quickly as you can.' he said. to Major Reno; give him my compli- ments and tell him to wait 20 minutes more. He will understand that. I guess you will have tn remain with him.
 .It was that order that saved ms from a grave out in Montana.
 As I wheeled my horse to go back he recalled me, and calling up tho reg mental trumpeter. gave him practical ly the same instructions and further remarked to us. pointing in the dire6- tion of Reno's command, If you cut across there you may find it smoother going. If you prefer the trail, however. you may go that way. and use your own Judgment
 We started. the trumpeter and my self. We had only gone 300 or 400 yards when he said to me: Mack. which way are you going?'
 Back over the trail, of course I answered.
 "He had gotten 1t into his head that Custer had told us to cut across, and I argued with him in vain that the route was left to our discretion. H@ wouldn't have it that way, and starting off alone, remarked: 'Good-by, Mack: we'll see who gets to Reno first. The move cost him his life. He had gone, only about 600 yards when heard sew eral shots in his direction. He had evidently run right into the Indiansr and, as afterwards learned. they had riddled him with bullets.
 By this time I could hear constant. firing, both in the direction of Custer and Reno. I was getting over the ground as fast as my horse could car- sry me, and had fine horse, too. Just eas I got in sight of Reno's command I ran right into bunch of red devils. They were not more than 30 yards. away, and instantly I could hear the ping and whfstling of bullets all around me. I was probably within 120i yards of Reno's command. One ball struck my horse in the withers, and he, went down. I fell over his head. but fortunately my arm slipped through the reins and left me holding the, horse
 "He got up at once. and as I threw my right leg over the saddle another ball hit him. first passing through the calf of my right leg. It pierced my horses lungs. He jumped forward and carried me within SO yards of Major Reno, where he dropped dead. jump ed as he was falling and ran the rest of the way. There was frightful din at this time, and as I saluted Major Reno he bent his head to hear my message. Irepeated Che orders of Gus ter. and he said:
 Orderly, too late now. Take care of yourself
 Reno was then whipped and was be-