Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-08-23


pulled from his horse, tortured and
inally murdered at the pleasure OF
he red devils. 1t was here that Fred
5irard was separated from the COM
mand and lay all night with the
screening fiends dealing death and
destruction to his comrades Within
> few feet of him, and but time will
not permit us to relate the story
through some means succeeded in
saving his fine black stallion La
which he took SO much pride. The
ford was crossed and the summit Of
the bluffs, having Col. Smith says,
the steepest sides that he ever saw
assembled by a horse or mule, reach
ed, though the ascent was made I'M
der CALLING fire.
Reno's Command Saved.
The companies engaged in this af-
fair were those of Captains Boylan,
French and Mcintosh. Col. Reno had
gone ahead with these. companies in
obedience to the order of Gen. Gus
ter, fighting most calamity, driving
back repeatedly the Indians who
charged in their front, but the fire
from the bluff was SO CALLING, forced
the movement heretofore alluded to.
Signals were given and soon Benteen
with the four companies in reserve
came up in time to save Reno from
the fate with which Custer, about
this time met. The Indians charged
the hill time and time again. but
were each time repulsed with neaty
slaughter by it's gallant defenders.
Soon, however, they reached bluffs
higher than those occupied by Reno,
and opened destructive fire from
points beyond the reach of cavalry
carbines. Nothing being heard frona
Custer, Col. Wier was ordered to
push his command along the bank
of the river in the direction he was
supposed to be, but he was soon
About this time the Indians received
strong reinforcements, and literally
swarmed the hillsides and on the
plains, coming SO near at times that
stones were thrown into the ranks
of Col. Reno's command by those un-
armed or out of ammunition. Charge
after charge, in quick succession, the
fight being sometimes almost hand to
hand. But they finally drew of, tax
ing to the hills and ravines Col.
Benteen charged a large party In a.
ravine, driving them from it in con-
fusion. They evidently trusted In
their numbers and did not look for
such bold movement. They were
within range Of the corral and woun-
ded several packers, j. C. Wagonep
among the number, in the head,
while many horses and mules were
killed. va ' '-;
Near 10 O'Clock the fight closed,
and the men worked all night
Strengthening their breast works, us
ing knives, tin cups and plates In
place of spades and picks. Taking
up the fight again in the morning.
In the afternoon of the second day
the desire for water became almost
intelerable
Touching Scenes.
The wounded were begging pitious-
ly for it. The tongues of the men
were swollen and their lips parched,
and for lack of rest they were almost
exhausted. So bold attempt was
made for water. Men volunteered to
go with canteens and camp kettles,
though to go was almost certain
death. The attempt succeeded,
though in making it one man was
killed and several wounded. The
men were relieved and that night the
animals were watered. The fight;
closed at dark, opening again next
morning, and continuing until the
aLISI uOOu VI luS lltu. meantime the
men became more and more exhaust
ed and all wondered what had be-
come of Custer. A panic all at onse
was created among the Indians and
they stampeded from the hills ana
from the valley, and the village was
soon deserted. except for the dead.
Reno and his brave band felt that
succor was nigh.
Gen. Terry came in sight and the
strong men wept upon each others
necks but no word was had from
Custer. Hand shaking and congraS-
ulations were scarcely over when
Lieut.. Bradley reported that he had
found Custer dead with one hundred
ninety cavalrymen. Imagine the ef-
feet. Words cannot picture the feel
ing of these, his comrads and sold
iers. Gen. Terry sought the spot and
found it to be true. OF those brave