New Britain herald., 1926-06-24

ed with his whole regiment and a strong detachment of scouts and guides from the mouth of the Rose bud. Up the river he struck a heavy Indian trail. which he found led to the Little Big Horn. There he found a village of almost unexampled ex- tent. and at once attacked. Major Reno with three companies was sent into the valley of the stream at q
 point where the trail struck it. Gus
 ter with five companies attempted to enter it about three miles lower down.
 Reno forded the river and charg- cd down it's left bank. dismounted and fought on foot until, overwhelm- cd by number, he was compelled to
 seek refuge on the bluff. As he re- crossed. Capt Benteen. who with
 three companies was some two miles 10 the left Of Reno when the action started but who had been ordered by
 Custer 10 return. joined Reno.
 United Force Surrounded.
 Capt McDougal in the rear with
 a train Of pack mules, also came up to Reno Soon after the united force was nearly surrounded by h. dians, many Of whom, armed with rifles. occupied positions which com- manded the ground held by the cavalry; ground from which there
 was no escape. Rifle pits were dug, and the fight maintained, though with heavy loss from about 2:30 Of the 25th until o'clock of the 18th. whom the Indians withdrew from the valley, taking with them their vil- laEo.
 Nothing Known of Custer. "Of the movements of Custer, scarcely anything is known, for no soldier or officer who accompanied him was found alive. His trail from the point where Reno crossed the stream passed along and in the rear of the bluffs. on the right bank. for nearly two miles; then went down tho bank of the river but at once diverged from it as If he had un- successfully attempted to cross; then turned upon itself, almost com pleatcd a circle and closed. It was marked by the remains of his men and the bodies of horses, some Of them dropping along the path and others heaped where halts appeared to have been made.
 There was abundant evidence Ithat gallant resistance was offered 1 by the troops, but they were beset on all sides by towering num- | lbers.
 Gen. Terry Comes Up At the mouth of the Rosebud I Uniformed Custer that l should take q supply steamer for the west up the Yellowstone to ferry Gen. Gibbons column over the river. The steamer reached Gen. Gibbons troops, near the mouth of the Big Horn on the morning of the 24th and at four ?.
 m, all his men and animals were Iacross the Yellowstone. The infan- 'try made Q march of 22 miles on Hume 25 in order that scouts might be sent into the valley of the Little
 Big Horn. The cavalry and battery
 was advanced on the morning of the .26th and discovered Indians. They proved to be Crows who had been
 with Custer. They brought the first Intelligence of the battle.
 "The infantry immediately moved up but our scouts were driven back by Indians who in increasing num- bers were seen lowering in Gen. Gibbons front. The column halted for the night after q 30 mile march lat a point about II miles in straight line above the stream.
 This morning Major Reno's en- .trenched position was reached. The withdrawal of the Indians from .around Reno's command and from .the valley was undoubtedly caused .hy the appearance of Gibbons
 troops. Reno and Benteen estimat-
 led the number of Indians engaged
 lat not less than 2.50o."