Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-06-03

part Of the responsibility for the disaster upoI
the 'cowardIce" Of Major Reno in not going to th'
support of Custer. p. A. Brininstoo. a historian
who has made special study OF this campaign
and who has brought to light many important
facts about II, has definitely disproved this impu
tation Of cowardice on the part OF Major Reno
and has done much to show that the man who for
so long was the goat" In this unfortunate affaiE
In reality was something Of a hero
It has remained for Prof. o. @. Libby OF the de
partment Of history at the University Of North
Dakota to remove the stigma from the names OF
other brave men connected with the Custer bat.
tie In addition TO the Grow scouts who accom-
panied the Custer expedition there were also a
number of Arikara or Rec Indian scouts. The
manner Of referring to their part in the battle by
most historians is TO say "the cowardly Rees fed
at the first Ere" Professor Libby.s Investigation
among the surviving members OF this group Of
scouts published by the North Dakota Historical
society under the title Of THE Arkara Narrative :"
shows concusfvely that the term 'cowardly Rees"
IL utterly unfair and untruthfu When the Ark
ara scouts "hed" they did 80 expressly upon the
orders OF General Custer who told them that they
were to guide him to the Indian village but were
to take no part in the fighting.
But for all the disputes, controversies, charges
and counter-charges connected with this battle
10 make 1t unique among Indian fights and for
all that the general features OF its story are we'll
known TO most Americans, there is much. that IL
Interesting and thrilling and inspiring which has
never yet become widely known. There Is the
story OF the narrow escape from death Of Lieut.
Charles c. De Rudio, Sergt. Thomas O'NeIlI
seout Billy Jackson and Interpreter Fred Girard
Who became separated from Reno's detachment
during the nrst days nghting and, after numerous
narrow escapes from death, managed to rejoIn
their command while 1t was beleaguered on the
hills 10 which Reno was forced to retreat.
There is the story Of the brave men In Reno's
command who In the face of persistent Indian fire
vssked their lives to creep down to the river to
0at water for wounded and dying comrades. They
received congressional medals Of honor for their
deeds. II is true but they are almost unknown ex-
cent to few historians Of the Custer battle and II
a TO be hoped that enblazoned high on the new
memorial VIII be their names. They were the
following: Nell Bancroft. Abram J. Brant, Thomas
caiian. Frederick Decline, Theodore w. Gold. |
IN David W. Harris, William ~ Harris Rufus d. |
Hutchinson, James Pym, Stanislaus Roy, George |
Scott, Thomas w. Stevens. Frank Tolan. Peter
thompson, Charles II. WEIGH George H. GeIger.
Henry w. b. Mechllng Charles WindoIph and OF
10 volt Along with their names should be those
of sergt. Richard r. Haney. sergt Benjamin c.
rr,awelI sergt Thomas Murray Corp. Charles
and Private Henry Holden, ali Of
whom were awarded similar medals for various
acts OF galanVy during the two days Of the battle
and siege.
4 reunion OF the survivors Of the battle was
held on the feld in 1895 the tenth anniversary Of
ne fgbt and AZ that time Chief Gall Of the Sioux
md chief Two Moons Of the Cheyennes went over
me Geld with officers Of the Seventh and de-
.rribed the battle 10 detail as they remembered IT.
Cali is long since dead. AZ are all the other
indian leaders on that Hateful day. But their spirits
nav be there this June, not 50 much to rejoice
,rain over one Of the greatest victories the In
slams ever won over the whites, as 70 rejoice
when the misunderstanding ceremony sgnalizes q
mai and lasting peace between red men and
white.