The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1909-06-05

fdcnce In him after the lnulan urah
was discovered, when he ordered him
to take his regiment, with ten days
rations. ammunition and private
scouts. along with Charlie Reynolds,
Bloody Knife and others, and take the
trail and follow It. He struck the trail
and followed it at a rapid pace on the
23d and oath Of July. At this point
the trail left the Rosebud and headed
toward the Little Big Horn As the
march had been very rapid, the horses
were tired and camp was made. while
preparations to start by 2 o'clock In
the morning to cross the divide which
separated the two streams was de-
termined on.
At 2 O'Clock the regiment was again
on the move. with the scouts ahead,
and by daylight they had crossed the
ridge. The command was keeping In
the ravine or canyons out OF sight n
moving as quietly IS possible. The
scouts In advance came back and re-
ported to General Custer that they
had seen tepees, or Indian lodges,
which was true; but, as 1t afterward
turned out, the tepees which the scouts
had seen were three or four tepees
that had been put up for smallpox pa
tents away from the main Indian VII
lage.
General Custer divided his command
into three parts, taking five companies
| himself, Major Reno with five compa-
mics and Colonel Benteen with two
companies, to bring up the e with
the pack train. Major Reno was or
dered to march straight on to the Lit
tie Big Horn, while Custer would move
| obliquely of to the right, making a de-
tour of some seven or eight miles INT
striking the Little Big Horn at what
he supposed would be the lower end
of the Indian village. while Reno was
to strike 1t from the upper end. Gus
ter was to work up the river and Reno
| down, while Reno was to keep on COM
ing down the river until he Joined with
| Custer, and Benteen was to follow up
with the pack train.
As near as we know. Reno struck the
Indians a little before Custer did, and.
Of course, he, as well as Custer. was
| surprised at the immense size OF the
village. There were ten times more
Indians in this village dian was indi
Gated by the Indian trail which they
had baaq following up the Rosebud. II
Is q fact that the Indians whom they
were following had just at this point
and at this time Joined the main band
Of Indians In eamp on the Little Big
Horn. The principal chiefs among the
Indians, of course, were Sitting Bull
Gall. Crazy Horse, Rain-in-the-Face
Little Big Man. Grass and many others
At FIRST the Indians were taken com
pletely By surprise, for they were 81
numerous that they bad failed to keel
scouts out at the usual distance, ant
Ramos attack was the first that the!
saw OF the soldiers. Reno, instead O
charging, held back when he saw tn
Immense numbers IN freat-his heart
indeed, failed him, and. abandoning
audacity, which is the true motto o
the cayajryman, though be failed t
recognize 1t az this time, be dismount
ed to fight on foot. IN bis first charg
he was repulsed. and, as near as
have been able to learn, 1t was only
weak one, not on account of his off
GERS or men, but 1t was the lack o
faith and confidence in himself tina
took away the vim and dash that tn
charge should have had.
Reno, in looking over the situation
preferred defense In preference to a
tack. He recrossed the Little Bi
Horn and took up a position on a hill
where he dilly dallied around unit
the Indians, taking courage at his ar
parent weakness, made the fight o.
him all the fercer. Most of the me
that he lost were lost while crossin
the Little Big Horn in retreat. so as I
get into the bluffs on the east side.
Major Reno, although having a goo
civil war record. through his ind
cision in the emergency on this o.
casion seemed to have completely los
soldierly intelligence. The Indians, a
was afterward learned. were CON
pletely taken by surprise. and the grea
war chief, Gall, personally directed tn
attack on Reno and was making pref
arations to surround him on the hill
evidently una Of Clusters proxin
ity on the other side of the village
This shows what could have been don
had Reno charged onward and KEEP
this greatest Of the war chiefs occr
pied instead Of thus permitting hir
to leave a few men to threaten Rene
while he concentrated his warriors o.
the other side Of the village agains
Custer. 4 messenger to Benteen fror
Custer. ordering him TO "come on quicl
and bring the packs" had caused tbs
gallant officer to hasten. but, Oyertal
ing Reno. who outranked him. he wa
ordered to join his demoralized force
and was compelled to obey. The la
ter thought that the two command
combined. which numbered 400 mel