The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-23
SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 49, 1905;

there nearly thousand fighting men assembled
in the valley Of the Little Horn. - g.. ~ -
just prior to the finding Of the camp Captain Benteen
with three troops had sent to the left to scout for
Indians AS Custer realized the strength Of the
he despatched messenger hofoot after Benteen
with order to reoin the main at once Then
dividing his command he sent Reno with three troops
attack the upper end Of the village his intention being
to strike the Indians at the north end himself. He
hoped by this double movement denoraize and break
up their camp by crushing the Indians between the
Major Reno forded the river, dsmounted his men, and
without delay opened fire the village. But soon
became of the fearful odds against which he was
view to cutting off his retreat. Luckily for Reno,
Benteen havi ing received the order to itcome en-
ana his squadron from a fate like that Of Custer's.
Unable to reoin his general together with Reno and
captain McDouga with the pack train returned to the
bluffs where they succeeded in standing off the Sioux
until the evening of June 26, when the Indians finally
Withdrew their movements doubt accelerated by news
OF the approach of General Terry with Gibbons com
June ~. -. = = - - -
Up to this time word had been received from the
nam column, consisting of Troops c. E, F, I, and L.
Kepuised at the ford Custer had led his up toward
the bluffs firing they went at the swarms Of Indians
encrcling his command Pushing toward the tor Of the
ridge, where he made his final stand Custer threw out
line Of skirmishers under Calhoun and Crttenden to
protect his retreat = ~: -. =. :
It must have been apparent every officer and man
in the command when they reached the ridge that there
was absolutely no hope. They saw how completely
hideous, bowling Sioux and Cheyenne braves. From
every coulee, draw, gully and depression the Indians
rifles to- which the troopers could only reply with their
short-range breechloading carbines much inferior
weapon The hostles would rush cover discharge
dozen Shots rapidly retreat then reload and attack
each time wpng out dozens of the regulars To add to
the hopeessness of the situation the barrels of the
soldiers carbnes many instances became so hot that
the cartridges stuck in the breech the guns and had to
be dug out with knives 1t slaughter butchery,
massacre! -
T.: Never had they to rest -.
ris55 a5 thsy fl,
why do you sigh so heavilyq' asked CHEEKY voice
at Paul sde and abruptly ending his revere the Young
man turned to see the major daughter holding aiof
'.see my price, she exclaimed without waiting for
an answer to her previous question IT found under
rock in coulee just below here'' ~ = T,7cs
= Paul took the profered treasure and examined It
closely. - = -
"Why, it's officers spur, believe" he said,
after rubbing it smartly with his coat sleeve See,
1t IS 1nlald with what appears to be gold.''
'Realy Let look at it, returned the girl reach.
ing out her hand for the spur Who knows,5 she con-
tnued Perhaps it have belonged General Custer
himself. My, but this is. lucky fnd!'' ------
Paul thought so, too, and for moment envied
the souvenir Together they wandered the battle
ground with which Miss Lizzie was well acquainted,
having visited it many times before. At the plain
wooden cross which the simple but thrilling
words, 'Here fell Custer,'' two paused and Paul
instinctvely took off his hat ard bowed his head AS
he did he noticed prcky pear growing almost beside
the cross showing the beautiful waxke flower peculiar
to the plant. -
Look he cried to his companion, cat the creamy
yellow tint of the eaves but the center is blood red
Ism It it strange7" .,-~ S.. :e...
.,Yes, responded the girl quietly .'and the Indians
on the reservation call it Clusters heart'!''
AS they descended to the valley Paul was unusually
thoughtful much that his companion rallied him
IT can't get that picture out of my mind he finally
ca! ss ca 9s! j! Pr think: 1N1K \ \ 90 -