The Dickinson press., 1914-09-05
ter's squadron, however, encountered

ter's squadron, however, encountered
the steep banks of the river and
were compelled to make a detour in
order to cross, that threw them some
distance from Reno. He no doubt
intended to double back and renew
the juncture, and just why he did not
will never be known. As his COM
mand crossed the river and galloped
out Of sight Of MI. S~terland-and his
comrads who were with Reno, Custer
was seen to wave his broad brimmed
hat with his g%auntletted hand and
then disappear over the intervening
hills. This was the last that was
ever seer Of him or any Of his column
Reno and Benteen advanced,
but Benteen struck such hilly. ground
as to be forced practically back into
Reno's squadron and from thence to
the end Of the battle they acted as a
unit.
Leaving their horses in the woods
by the river the command advanced
until they struck the Indians, and the
fight became heavy. Instead Of find
ing only a few hundred as they had
supposed they met up with several
thousand. The Indians began to sur
round them and it was found neces-
sary to retire toward the horses and
the timber or be completely cut off
and a rapid, though not disorganized,
retreat was made to the woods, dur
ing which they lost several men. At
the woods they mounted,'a land repulsed
the attacking natives with a heavy
fire, and held the fringe Of timber:
some little time, while the enemy re-;
turned to the attack in greater num-
bers and redoubled fury. Some of:
the cavalry were forced, during the
melee, over the bank Of the river.
and the line became wholly disorgan-
lied, when Mr.. Sterland heard Major
Reno shout ""all who would save.
themselves, follow mel" and plunged
his horse into the river, the bank Of
which was some six or eight feet
All who were not disabled
hurried pell nell across the stream
and clambered up the opposite side,5
climbing to bluff that stood over
looking the valley. Here they threw
themselves into q circle and succeed:
ed in holding the enemy at bay, al
though they surged around them,
climbing the neighboring bluffs which
were somewhat higher than the one,
occupied by Reno's men.
Many Of the soldiers were killed
here on the hill and many others were
wounded, though the fight was con-
stinned in a desultory manner only,
and with the exception Of a couple Of
times the savages no longer charged
them. s 81
After reaching the top Of the hill
the firing over toward the direction
which Custer had taken could be dis
|tinctly heard when the battle around
the Reno hill lulIed. AT one time an
effort was made by one Of the troop
commanders to go to Clusters help,
but though he started the effort was
abandoned. After a short time the
firing IN that direction ceased en-
tirely and the whole force of red
skins were seen hurrying over to the
Reno beleaguerrnent. Here they lay
for nearly thirty-six hours, when the
advance Of Terry caused the Indians
to fire the prairie grass as a blind
and seek safety in flight.
The remains o Custer and his ILL
|fated squadron were found by the
survivors of the Seventh scattered
over the hill side about "a mile from
the place where they were last seen.
Each body was mutilated according
Ito Indian custom, but showed unmis-
taxable signs OF the fearful death
struggle which didsnot cease until
the last man and horse had expired.
The bodies were collected and buried,
and great heap of stones were piled
lIn.Jater rer1aced nv aG1ine pranite