Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-05-29


I have no knowledge Of this region,
but the creek empties into the Washita
without doubt"
THAT would be my judgment
Sparkling and were just. talking 1t
over. / shall wait here until Custer
comes up; my force 10 too small to
attack openly, and my orders are not
to bring on an engagement. Custer
has some Usage scouts with him who
will know this country.
"But, Major" ventured Hamlin, "if
the General follows our trail it will be
hours yet before he can reach here
and then his men will be completely
exhausted"
HE will not follow our trail. He
has Corbin and California joe with
him. They are plainsmen who know
their business. He'll cross the Canad-
ian. and strike out across the plains
to intercept US. In that way he will
have no farther to travel than we
have had. In my judgment we shall
not wait here long alone. Have you
eaten?"
NO, sir; I have been stationing
the guard"
Then sit down here and share what
little we have. We can waive for
mality tonight"
1t was after nine o'clock when the
sentries challenged the advance of
Custer's column. as it stole silently
out of the gloom. Ten minutes later
the men were lowering about the
fires, absorbing such small comforts
as were possible, while the General
and Major Elliott discussed the situa-
ton and planned to push forward. An
hour later the fires were extinguished,
the horses quietly saddled, and noise
lessly the tired cavalrymen moved
cut once more and took up. the trail
The moon had risen, lighting mn the
desert, and the Usage guides, together
with the two scouts, led the way. At
Clusters request Hamlin rode beside
him in the lead Of the troopers. Not
a word was spoken above whisper,
and strict orders were passed down
the line prohibiting the lighting of a
match or the smoking of pipe. Can
teens were muffled and swords thrust
securely under saddle flaps. Like a
body of spectres they moved silently
across the snow in the moonlight,
cavalry capes drawn over their heads
the only sound the crunching Of
horses hoofs breaking through the
crust.
The trail was as distinct as q road.
and the guides pushed ahead as rapid
~ as by daylight, yet with ever In
creasing caution. Suddenly one of the
Osages signalled for halt, averring
that he smelled fire. The scouts dis
mounted and crept forward. discover
ing small campfire. deserted but
still smouldering, In strip Of timber.
Careful examination made 1t certain
that this fire must have been kindled
by Indian boys, herding ponies during
the day and probably meant that the
village was close at hand. The Usage
guides and the two white scouts again
picked up the trail, the cavalry ad-
vancing slowly some distance behind.
Custer, accompanied by Hamlin, rode
yard to the rear and Joined the
scouts. who were cautiously feeling
their way up slight declivity.
The Usage in advance crept through
the snow to the crest Of the ridge and
looked carefully down into the valley
below. Instantly his hand went up in
gesture Of caution and he hurriedly
made his cautious way back to where
Custer sat his horse waiting.
What is 1t? What did you see?"
Heap 1njuns down there!"
The General swung down from his
saddle, motioned the Sergeant to fol-
low, and the two men crept to the
crest and looked over The dim moon
light was confusing, while the shadow
of timber rendered everything indis-
tinct. Yet they were able to make
out herd of ponies, distinguished The
distant bark Of dog and the tinkle
Of bell. Without question this was
the Indians winter camp, and they
had reached it undiscovered Custer
glanced at his watch-the hour was
past midnight. He pressed Hamlin's
sleeve. his lips close to the Sergeant's
ear.
Creep back and bring my officers
up here" he whispered. "Have them
take OF their sabres."
AS they crept, one after the other
to where he lay In the snow, the Gen
eral. whose eyes had become accus-
toned to the monaghan. pointed out
the location of the village and such
natural surroundings as could be
vaguely distinguished. The situation
thus outlined In their minds, they
drew silently back from the crest. leav'
ing there single Usage guide on
guard. and returned to the waiting
regiment, standing to horse less than
a mile distant. Clusters orders fol-
immediate attack came swiftly, and
Hamlin. acting as his orderly, bore
them to the several commands. The
entire force was slightly in excess OF
eight hundred men. and there was
every probability that the Indians out
numbered them five to one Scouts
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