Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-11-21
coRyRleHr 1sl2 eY A~.c.NeclURa z q

picked up the trail. the cavalry sd-
vaucfnE SLOWLY on distance behind.
Custer, accompanied by Hamlin, rode
a yard to the rear and Joined the
scouts. who were cautiously feeling
their way up a 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
a gesture Of caution and he hurrtedly
made his cautious way back to where
Custer sat his horse waiting.
What is It? What did you seer"
Heap In1uns down therel"
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 20 make
out a herd of ponies, distinguished the
distant bar OF a dog and the tinkle
Of q bell. Without question this was
the Indians winter camp, and they
had reached 1t undiscovered Custer
| glanced at his watch-the hour was
past midnight, He pressed Ham1tn's
sleeve. his lips close to the ~Sergesnt's
ear.
Creep back and bring my officers
up here" he whispered. Have them
take of their sabTes."
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
tho 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 q single Usage guide on
guard and returned to the waiting
regiment, standing to horse less than
la mile distant. Clusters orders for
Immediate attack came swiftly, and
HamIin, 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
had reported to Sheridan that this
camp of Black Kettles was the win
ter rendezvous not only of the Chey-
ennes. but also of bands of fighting
.A~rapahoes. Kiowas, C~omauches, and
even some A%paches, h most daring
and desperate warriors OF the plains.
Yet this was no time to hesitate, to
debate; 1t was a moment for decisive
The blow must be struck at
once, before daylight, with all the
power OF surprise.
The little body of c~avalrymen was
divided into four detachments. Two
OF these were at once marched to the
left. circling the village silently In
he darkness, and taking up a position
at the farther extremity. A third de-
taohuuent moved to the right and found
their way down into the valley, where
thew lay concealed IN a strip OF tim
her Custer. with the fourth detach-
rent under his own command. re-
manned In position on the trail. The
sleepins village was thus completely
surrounded, and the orders were for
those In command OF the different
forces to approach as closely as pos
sihle without running risk of dtscov-
sry and then to remain absolutely
ou,et until daybreak- Not a match
was to be lighted o a shot fred
until the charge was sounded by the
trumpeter who remained with Custer.
Then all were 70 spur forward as one
man.