The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1908-12-04
N. 7. Post Of MOnOwi Tells Of
Campaign Under Custer.
SA VETERAN INDIAN FIGHTER.
Incidents and the Story OF Clusters
Bio indian Battle at Washlta is
Told by Monowl Attorney Who
Took Part In the Custer Charge.

Monowi, Neb, Nov. 27.-From a
STAFF Correspondent: A Joldier with
two honorable war records Is M. T.
Post of Monowi. He served in an
Indian regiment during the civil war
and afterwards with Custer against
the Indians on the plains. He was a
participant In General Sheridan's
memorable winter campaign against
the southwest Indians, and was in the
battle on the Washta which brought
peace to frontier for couple of
years.
Mr. Post was a young man living
I'm Ohio at the outbreak of the rebel
lion, but he joined a Hoozier regiment
instead of one from his own state.
He was at the battles of Stony River,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and
in the campaign leading to the cap
ture of Atlanta. He marched with
Sherman's army to the sea and north
ward from Savannah. After the war
Mr. Post enlisted in the regular army
and was assigned to Clusters cavalry
regiment, the famous Seventh.
In the summer of 1863 the Chey-
ennes and other Indians in the south
west committed countless depreda-
tions Settlers were butChered, their
wives and children killed or carried
into captivity, their stock driven off,
emigrant trains and stages were at
tackled and stage stations burned.
Notwithstanding the activity of the
soldiers, Indian depredations contin-
ued throughout the season.
First Winter Campaign.
General Sheridan, who was in COM
mand of the department of the Mis-
souri,, with headquarters at Leaven-
worth, determined on a winter cam
paign against the Indians, something
which had never before been tried
He realized that the customary sum-
mer mode of warfare against Indians
was ineffective. They went on the
war path when their ponies had fat
tened on the spring grass, and quit
when it was time to go into winter
quarters. Indians. living Off of the
country over which they roamed, hav-
ing no towns to protect nor base OF
supplies to guard, had the choice of
giving or refusing battle, as was to
their advantage. The troops could
neither corner nor overtake them If
they did not choose to fight.
Sherman determined to attack the
Indians when they were in their win
ter camps and when their ponies
would be poor for lack of food Dur
ing the fall he had large amount OF
supplies collected at an outpost in
northwestern Oklahoma, then Indian
territory. The post was named Camp
Supply, and Sheridan went there in
person to direct the campaign.
Custer at Washita.
Clusters cavalry and regiment OF
infantry were assembled at Camp Sup
ply, but the cavalry alone fought the
principal engagement of this memoir
able campaign-the battle on the
Washita.
1t was late in November when
Clusters command left Camp Supply
in southwark direction, where the
>stile Indians were supposed to be
camped. The start was made in a
snow storm, which compelled the
troops to go into camp several miles
out Next morning there was a foot
of snow on the ground, but Custer
proceeded, followed by the supply
train.
A small scouting party with a cou-
pie of Usage scouts went ahead to
look for Indian signs" After dusk
a scout returned with the informa-
ton that a small trail had been
struck. Custer went back with the
scout after giving directions that the
troops should follow on a night march.
The supply train went into camp with
orders to push on at daylight.
Follow Indian Trail.
The scouts had struck the trail of
small party of Indians who were re-
turning to their village. The trail
was followed far into the night. 1t
led to the village of a Shawnee tribe,
of which the noted Black eKttle was
the head chief, The camp was To-
Gated on the bottoms of Washita
creek, which the bluffs overlooked.
Custer and the scouts cautiously
crawled to the bluff edge to recon
hotter. They dimly desCerned a large
Indian village. When the cavalrymen
arrived they were required to dis
mount and stand beside their horses
during the chilly night with strict
orders not to stamp their feet or
hands for warmth.
Before the attack was made Custer
sent Major Elliot with a small troop
by circuitous route to the opposite
side of the village to cut off retreat
This march was made in darkness.
At dim daylight the advance was
made. The cavalrymen walked their
horses until the village was neared.
The signal to charge was to be given
by bugle call, at which the mounted
band was to play Clusters favorite
tune, Garry Owen But the hands
of the musicians were so benumbed
.I.ith cold thnt thnAL cnllll mot Anmnr