The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-07-02

command marched 35 miles without
water, the End cavalry Of the same
command going Is miles further, 60
ing into camp in a terrific rain storm,
having marched over one Of the
toughest countries ever men Travelled.
Gibbon had no guides and placed tha
command under the direction Of Mr..
Taylor, who had an imperfect ideal
Of the route, who took it to the mouth
Of the Little Horn, in the night, over
a country unequaled for roughness
and difficulties. The men Of the COM
panies in the rear had to travel by
sound, as they could not see even the
outlines of any route. The men were
ordered to stop twice during this
march by advice Of the surgeon,
they being faint and ready to fall
from fatigue and want of water. On
the third day from the commencement
Of this march the command resumed
its march at daylight. The infantry
overlook the cavalry at $3.50 a. m,
and crossed the Little Horn at 70 m.
the same day and were ordered to
camp and make coffee, none Of the
men having had anything but hard
tack for 81 hours. One portion had
had nothing to eat for So hours. The
command was then ordered to halt
at the order of the surgeon. i
At 4 o'clock p. m. the Coz sss
again in motion, prOceedE-
Little Horn. There had been q II
in the morning Of the defeat d {
ter, but it was not credited.
lGibbOn, not knowing the pOsit w. "
Gen. Custer, Mr.. Taylor was alven ,
dispatch to carry to him and report.
The command proceeded up the Little
Horn, and Mr.. Taylor, taking across
the mountains, came to a point which
afterward proved to be within 5 miles
Of the village; saw a. line Of cavalry
drawn up which he took to be 400
or 500 strong, believing it to be Gus
ter's command, on account Of the
flags flying in the center Of the
column. A detail Of eight men left
the column and started in the direc-
z ton occupied by Taylor, and coming
within 100 yards Of him, ard seeing
, they were Indians-and suppOsing
\ them to be Clusters scOuts-halted
them, and told one to advance and the
rest to fall back, which they did.
One advanced within 20 PAGES. Tay-
lor had dismOunted. This party (who
had advanced) was a boy about IA
e years old and had a rifle at his side
I the muzzle Of which reached below
= his mOccasin.
On discovering the rifle, Taylor
levelled his gun on the boy, when one
r Of the Indians shot at his horse from
|, the right. On this occurrence he
r CTaylor) mounted his horse, drew his
revolver and charged them to get
e possession Of a butte, at the foot Of
e which the Indians were, and succeeded
f in accomplishing his object. They
fired about 100 shots at him. Then
Taylor rode to the command, the In
dams pursuing and firing at him to
Z within about a mile of + Co, End
cavalry, Lieutenant Roe commanding
d which was the right flank Of Gen,
s. Gibbons cOmmand-joined the com
mand at 9 o'clock, when it was going
J. into camp. The command was Their
81 in sight Of the main Indian force
3 which appeared to be drawn up II
n line Of a battle, with q company Of
n lskirmishers half a mile in advance
Ze which fired upon + Co. upon its rais
% ing a white flag. Lieut.. Roe reported
ed to Gen. Gibbon at dark that there wal
~ a Pack train moving in four columns
a. going in & s~outheasterly direction
b Resumed the march the next morning
ed communicating with RenO's comnRni
n about 10 o'clock.
I'D Gen. Custer, prior 70 attacking
Mt village, had made q forced march )
m 81 hours following an Indian trai
IT. UP the Rosebud until two other trail
IS, ~intersected it, and it turned over int
he the Little Horn. getting fresher al ia
he time. He rested but n hour durin
.or the march Of 81 hours, and upon CON
he ing to the Indian village, immedistel
.h- attacked it.
Tot Gen. Gibbon, it win be seen, marcl
ks ing in a circle, made all the exped
ton possible.
.on The Indian village was four mile
ib- long, located in the bottom Of the ~
tie Horns was composed 81 thrs
IDS streets, and believed 60 have con
.nd prised 1000 lodges.
.nr The Indians abandoned their ~
.ae l8ge the evening that Gem etobet
command came Ia se and canns
81 They marched OIL r lyf columns
nv. .-M