The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-06-25

bud. Up the river he struck heavy
Indian trail. which he found led to
the Little Big Horn. There he found
village of almost unexamplcd ex-
tent, and at once attacked. Major
Reno with three companies was sent
into the valley of the stream at a
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 charged
down its left bank, dismounted and
fought on foot until, overwhelmed by
numbers, he was compelled to seek
refuge on the bluff. As he recross.
ed, Capt. Benteen, who with three
companies was some two miles to tho
left Of Reno when the action started,
but who had been ordered by Custer
to return, joined Reno.
United Force Surrounded
Capt. McDougal. in the rear with
train Of pack mules. also came up
to Reno. Soon after the united force
was nearly surrounded by Indians.
many of whom, armed with rifles, oc-
cupied positions which commanded
the ground held by the cavalry;
ground from which there was no es-
cape. Rifle pits were dug, and the
fight maintained, though with heavy
loss from about 2:3O of the 25tb
until o'clock. of the 28th. when tho
Indians Withdrew from the valley
taking with them their village.
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 three miles; then went down
the bank of the river but at once
diverged from it as if he had UNI
successfully attempted to cross; then
turned upon itself, almost completed
Il circle and closed. 1t was marked
by the remains of his men and the
bodies of horses. some of them drop
ping along the path Ind others heap
ed where halts appeared to have been
made.
"Thcre was abundant evidence that
a gallant resistance was offered by
the troops, but they were beset on
all sides by ovcrpowering numbers.
Gen. Terry Comes Up
Eat the mouth Of the Rosebud !
Informed Custer that | should take
a 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 cath, and at four p.
NJ. all his men and animals were
across the Yellowstone. The infan-
try made Il march Of % miles on
June 25 in order that scouts might
he sent into the valley of the Little
Big Horn. The cavalry and battery
was advanced on the morning of the
10Th and discovered Indians. They
proved to be Crows who had been
with Custer. They brought the first
intelligence Of the battle.
"Thc infantry Immediately moved
up but our scouts were driven back
by Indians who in increasing num-
bers. were seen lowering in Gen. Glib
bonx' front. The column halted for
the night after a thirty mile march
at Il point about eleven miles in a
straight line above the stream.
"This morning Maj. Reno's en-
trcnched position was reached. The
withdrawal of the Indians from
around Reno's command and from the
valley was undoubtedly caused by
the appearance of Gibbons troops.
Reno and Benteen estimated the num-
Der Of Indians engaged at not less
than $500" 4