Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-04

continually crossing the stream. Tho sol
dlers had dlsmounted and we're firing into
the camp from the top OF the clin.'
MY friend, was Sitting Bun IN this
hght?' / inquired.
81 did not sec him there, but l learned
afterward that he was among those who
met Reno and. that was three or four
Of the white mans miles from Clusters
position Later he Joined the attack upon
Custer but was not among the foremost.
When the troops were surrounded on
two sides, with the river on the third, the
order came TO charge There we're many
very young men, some OF whom had only
a war stan or a stone war club in hand,
who plunged into the column, knocking
the men over and stampeding their horses.
THE soldiers had mounted and started
back but when the onset came they dis
mounted again and separated into several
divisions, facing different ways. They fired
as fast as they could load their guns, while
we used chiefly arrows and war clubs.
There seemed to be two distinct move
ments among the Indians. one body
moved continually in a circle while the
other rode directly into and through the
troops.
Presently some of the soldiers re-
mounted and fled along the ridge toward
Reno's position; but they were followed
by our warriors, like hundreds of black
birds after a hawk A larger body re-
manned together at the upper end OF a
little ravine and fought bravely until they
were cut to pieces. l had always thought
that white men were towards, but I had "A
great respect for them after this day.
1T is generally said that a young man
with nothing but a war stan In his hand
broke through the column and knocked
down the leader very early in the fight
We supposed him to be the leader, because
he stood up In full view, swinging a big
knife (sword) over his head, and talking
loud. Some one unknown afterwards shot
the chief, and he was probably killed also;
for II not, he would have told
OF the deed, and called others to
witness It. so It is that no one knows
who killed the Long Haired Chief General
CUSTER
AFTER the first rush was over, coups
were counted as usual on the bodies Of the
slain. You know four coups COR blows
can be counted on the body of an enemy
and whoever counts the first one touches
II for the first time) is entitled to the
first feather
There was an Indian here called AID.
pearing Elk, who died a short time ago
He was slightly wounded i'm the charge
He had some Of the weapons of the Long
Haired Chief, and the Indians used tC
say jollingly after we came upon tn,
reservation that Appearing Elk must hav,
Killed the Chief, because he had his sword
However, the scramble for plumber dl,
not begin until all were dead l do no
think he killed Custer. and If he had, tn,
time to claim the honor was inmediatel,
after the fight
Many lies have been told Of me. Son,
say that ! killed the chief, and other
that l cut out the heart of his brothe
CTom CUSTER. because he had caused m
to be imprisoned. Why, I'm that fight tn
excitement was so great that we scarcel
recognized oar nearest friends. Everythin
was done like lightning. After the battI
we, Young, men were chasing horses al
over the prairie, while the old men an
women plundered the bodies; and IL an
muulating was done. it was by the oil
2 men,
- Il have lived peaceably ever since W
came upon the reservation. No one ca
say that Rain-in-the-Face has broken Nh
rules of the Great Father. fought fo
my people and my country. When W
were conquered 1 remained silent, as
warrior should. Rain-in-the-Face wa
Killed when he put down his weapons b,
Z fore the Great Father. His spirit was gor
then; only this poor body lived on. h,
> now 1t is almost ready to lie down for n
last time. Ho, hechetu! Ut is we'll }"
Dr. Charles A. Eastman COhiyesa) in N,
INF InD