The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-02-16

Washington to give testimony. This
testimony adhered so strictly to the
truth that 1t brought him into dis
favor, and when he returned to his
post he found that the command OF
the main expedition was taken from
him and that he was assigned TO his
own regiment simply, while General
Terry was ordered to take supreme
command. To q soldier with his rec
ord, to man OF his sensitiveness, this
humiliation was deeply felt. and. no
doubt. was one Of the many causes
that warped his judgment at time
when il was most needed. General
Terry showed his sympathy and con
fldence In him after the Indian trail
was discovered, when he ordered him
to take his regiment. with ten days
rations, ammunition and private
scouts. along with Charlie Reynolds.
Bloody Knife ard others. and take the
trail and follow 1t. He struck the trail
and followed 1t at a rapid pace on the
ed and oath OF July. At this point
the TRAN 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 . o'clock in
the morning TO cross the divide which
separated the two streams was de-
termlned on.
st 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 and
moving as quietly as possible. The
scouts In advance came back and re-
ported 10 General Custer that they
had seen tepees, or Indian lodges.
which was true: but. as IL asterward
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.
hge
General Custer divided his command
into three parts. taking five companies
himself. Major Reno with five compa-
MES and Colonel Benteen with two
companies. TO bring up the rear 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 de
tour OF some seven or eight miles and
striking the Little Big Horn at what
he supposed would be the lower end
Of the Indian village, while Reno was
to strike II from the upper end Gus
ter was 10 work up the river and Reno
down. while Reno was 10 keep on com.
ing down the river until he Joined with
Custer. and Benteen was TO follow UT
with the pack train.
As near ms we know. Reno struck the
Indians a little before Custer did. and
Of course. he. as well as Custer. wa
surprised at the immense size Of thu
village. There were ten times mor'
Indians In this village than was Incl
Gated by the Indian trail which the,
had been following up the Rosebud. 4
IL fact that the Indians whom the1
were following had just at this poln
and at this time Joined the main ban.
Of Indians in camp on the Little Bil
Horn. The principal chiefs among tn
Indians. Of course. were Sitting Bull
Gall. Crazy Horse. Rain-in-the-F Face
Little Big Man. Grass and many Others
At first the Indians were taken con
pletely by surprise. for they were "
numerous that they had failed 10 keel
scouts out at the usual distance. an,
Reno's attack was the first that the
saw OF the soldiers. Reno. instead o
charging. held back when he saw TN
immense NUMBERS In front-hIs hear
indeed. failed him. and. abandonln
audacity. which Is the true motto o
the cayalryman. though he failed {
recognize Il at this time. he dlsmouni
ed TO fight on foot. In his first charg
he was rcpulsed. and. as near as
have been able to learn. IL was only
weak one, not on account OF his of
GERS or men. but Il was the lack O
faith and confidence In himself tina
took away the vim and dash that th
charge should have had.
Reno. In looking over the situation
preferred defense In preference 20 n
tack. lie recrossed the Little III
Horn and took up position on hill
where he dilly dallicd around uni
the Indians. taking courage nj his al
parent weakness. made the fight o
him all the fiercer. Most Of the rnc
that be lost were lost while crossln
the Little Big Horn In retreat, so ~ |
get into the bluffs on the east side.
/ Major Reno. although having q GOO
civil war record. through bis ind
cision In the emergency on this o
casion seemed TO have completely 10,
soldieriy intelligence. The Indians. Q
was afterwnrd learned. were con
, pietely taken by surprise. and the gres
war chief. Gall, personally directed n
attack on Reno and was making pre-
aratlons 20 surround him on the hi
evidently unaware Of Clusters pro1in
ity on the other side OF the villag
/, This shows what could have been dor
, mad Reno charged onward and ,key
this greatest Of the war chiefs occ'
pied instead Of thus permitting hi
TO leave a few men 10 threaten Rem
while be concentrated bis warriors q