The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-02-10
CUSTER MASSACRE.
How This Famous General and 26l Men Were
Killed by the Indians in 1875.
Account Reproduced

The Bismarck Tribune has just repro
duced its account of the Custer massa.
ere published on July 6, 1876, and in
order to freshen the minds of PRESS
readers on the early history of the North
west the same is given below.
There are still marks of the Custer
wagon trail 9 miles south of Dickinson.
Custer was daring general, possibly
reckless, and for lack of re-inforcements
at the critical time he. and his brave
followers were annihilated on June ~.
1876, by the Sioux Indians at the battle
of the Little Big Horn in Montana.
The Tribune says:
Editors Note: The following account
of the Custer massacre is taken from the
Bismarck Tribune of July 6, 1876, and
was the first published story of the worst
disaster experienced by American troops
at the hands of Indians since colonial
times. As many of those who lost their
lives in this battle were we'll known here,
Clusters command having marched from
old Fort Lincoln, the republishing of the
account will be of INTEREST,"
1t will be remembered that the Bis
marck Tribune sent a special correspond
ent with Gen. Terry, who was the only
professional correspondent with the ex-
pedition. Kellogg's last words to the
writer were:
1--WE leave the Rosebud tomorrow and
by the time this reaches you we will have
met and taught the red devils, with what
result remains to be seen. go with
Custer and will be at the DEATH"
How true! On the morning of the 22d
General Custer took up the line of march
for the trail Of the Indians, reported by
Reno on the Rosebud. Gen. Terry. ap-
pretending danger, urged Custer to take
additional men, but Custer, having full
confidence in his men and in their ability
to cope with the Indians in whatever
force he might meet them, declined the
proffered assistance and marched with
his regiment alone. He was instructed
to strike the trail of the Indians, to fol.
low it until he discovered their position,
and report by courier to General Terry.
who would reach the mouth of the Little
Horn by the evening of the 76th, when
he would act in concert with Custer in
the final wiping out. Al four o'clock in
the afternoon Of the 74th, Clusters scouts
reported the location of village recent
ly deserted, whereupon Custer went int
camp. marching again at p. M, con.
tinuing the march until daylight. when
he again went into camp for coffee,
Custer was then fifteen miles from the
village located on the Little Horn, one
of the branches of the Big Horn, twenty
miles above its mouth, which could be
seen from the top of the divide, and
after lunch General Custer pushed on
The Indians by this time had discovered
his approach and soon were seen mount
ing in great haste, riding here and there
it was presumed in full retreat. Thi:
idea was strengthened by finding a
freshly abandoned Indian camp with .
deserted tepee, in which one Of theil
dead had been left, about six miles from
where the battle took place. Custer
with his usual vigor pushed on, making
seventy-eight miles without sleep, and
attacked the village near its foot witt
companies c, E, F, and L of the sew
enth cavalry, Reno having in the mean
time attacked it at its head with three
companies of cavalry which, being sur
rounded, after a desperate hand to hane
conflict in which many were killed anc