The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1907-02-09


lied and reformed them. and carry.
ing their wounded, he dashed of to
small hill nearby, where he dis
mounted his soldiers and formed them
for battle. The Indians followed and
surrounded the troops and In less than
an hour the battle was all over"
The letter corroborates the state
ment of Indian scouts that there was
white man amongst the Indians.
The movement for a monument
ought to attract support from the
great number who are familiar with
Clusters exploits and who are not
willing that his name should die out
of Michigan. Monroe, as his early
home and the place where he spent
his infrequent leisure, is a fitting place
for the monument that shall be raised.
Mrs. Custer Is still living and Is at
present in Europe. Custer was not
rich in this worlds goods; indeed, far
otherwise. The Monroe home belonged
to his wife, although Clusters parents
lived in It for years. 1t was over
the gate of this house. still standing,
that his wife-then a little girl-used
to look with wonder on the antics of
the Custer boy.
Her father, Judge Bacon, left her
little property, Gen. Custer carried
life insurance policy of $25.00o, her
literary works have netted her some
thing, and some charmingly kind
/, friends she has made see to 1t that
a widow Of brave general does not
lack.
In the battle of the Little Big Horn
Gen. Clusters sister lost a husband
three brothers and a nephew and the
way the news was received in Monroe
Is remembered to this day.
Mr.. Richard Roberts, a correspond
ent for the New York Sun, accom-
panied the expedition of Gen. Custer,
had most miraculous escape from
sharing the horrible fate which over
took the command. His story as told
the writer when he returned TO Mon.
roe in 1876 is interesting in this con-
nection.
Mr.. Roberts Narrative.
He was with Clusters command on
this expedition until 1t arrived at the
Rosebud river, about seventy miles
from the scene Of the conflict at which
point his horse gave out, and he was
obliged to fall behind, but afterwards
Joining his brother who was in Col.
Renos command. His information az
to facts concerning the battle is sub.
stantially the same as has already
been given, gathered as It was from
the scouts who first brought the news
OF the massacre. He, however, cor.
reefs the erroneous statements that
Rain-in-the-face was the one who killed
Gen. Custer; II was in reality Red.
hand, as asserted by the scouts. II
was Rain-in-the-face who took out the
heart OF Col. Tom Custer and had a
war dance around 1t. He was a bloody
handed fiend and his name was well
bestowed, who had threatened to take
out Col. Toms heart and dance on It,
in revenge for an arrest made by him
in 1873. The warrant was issued fol
a murder committed by this savage
and two companies Of cavalry were
sent to aid In the arrest. Tom, who
commanded the troops, made the ar
rest personally, going among the In
dams, who were ugly, and taking Red
hand by the arm, dragged him out
This Indian was taken to Fort Lin
coin, but afterwards escaped from the
guard house.
The Burial Of the Dead Soldiers.
Mr.. Roberts stated that Gen. Gus
ter, his officers and men, were buried
just where they fell. Reno's command
had but two or three spades and
shovels, and while these were used t.
dig the graves, the men filled then
by using such utensils as they had
tin plates, cups, pans, knives; Others
used their hands in performing these
last sad rites for the unfortunate fel
low soldiers. The graves were care
fully marked by driving at each heaC
a hollow stake containing roll o
paper with the name and company
then tightly plugged up; number wa!
then burned into the stake and driver
out of sight. Corresponding number!
and memoranda were prepared ant
placed in the keeping OF Capt. Nolan
of Clusters regiment Mr. Roberts
states that the number killed CORE
sponded with the roll, showing tina
not a man escaped, nor was one miss
ing.
The Association formed at Monro,
for the purpose of carrying forward
pIOJCCt dS dhhOuhCCu haNC oCiCCt
ed the following committees:
Hon. J. c. Burrows. -. Kalamazoo,
Hon. VIM. Alden Smith. Grand Rapid
Hon. Russell A. Alger. $500. .Detroi
Hon. Chas. e. Townsend. jackson
Hon. James b. Angel. :. -. Ann Arbo
Hon. Flagget .Trabbic. ....... Fri,
Gen. G. w. Harrah. Detroi
Gen. VIM. G.. McGurrin. Grand Rapid
Rt. Rev. John 8. Foley, d. d. .Detroi
Hon. James v. Barry. .Lansin,
Hon. II. A. Conant. ......... .Monro
Hon. Burton Parker. ........ .Monro
John M. Buckley Historian, .Monro
+. A. Minis. ..........M onrc
Capt. irving Harrington. .Monro
Mayor Geo. f. Heath. $500. .Monro
A. b. Bragdon, Sr. .Monro
'Chas. II. Greening, secretary. .Monro