The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-06-25
CUSTER'S MASSACRE, UNKNOWN FOR
nine DAYS, SNOW BEING REENACTED

Helena, Mont, June 25.--Fifty
years have elapsed since Andrew J.
Fisk, Associated Press CORES pendent
in the little frontier town of Helena,
flashed to the world news of
Gen. George A. Clusters crushing de-
feat at the battle of the Little Big
Horn.
Previously the world had the first
news through the dispatches of Col
onel Lounsberry, founder Of the Bis
marck Tribune, which paper had a
correspondent with the Custer ex-
petition.
Twelve days passed from time Gen.
Custer, in command Of the Seventh
cavalry left old Fort Lincoln. near
Bismarck, in search of the village Of
hostile Sioux, until word of his last
stand reached Fisk and the outside
world. Nine days sped by from the
date Of the battle before the word
was broadcast through the medium
Of the press. A longer time would
have elapsed but for the grit of
Horace Countryman, a Yellowstone
rancher, Indian fighter and scout,
Who rode $50 miles with but one
change of horses to reach Helena
about noon on July 4.
Tells Story to Fisk
Countryman learned the story from
"Muggins" Taylor, scout from the
| Little Big Horn battlefield, who half
dead from exhaustion, reached COun-
tryman's ranch house at Saltwater,
Mont. Countryman volunteered to
carry the news to Bozeman and rush
it to Washington over the govern
ment wire. He arrived there only
to find the wire down. There was
nothing to do but continue the Cruel
ing race to Helena.
Helena was celebrating Indc-
pendence Day. Fisk. even alert
for news, had strolled down
town. Sitting in his Of
flee, he was startled by the appear
ance of dust-covered rider who
spurrcd his jadcd horse down the
street. tumbled from the saddle and
staggered into thu building. 1t was
Horace Countrymah.
The exhausted courier gaspcd out
the story Of Clusters last stand. BY
the time he had concluded, Fisk had
written the thrilling recital in long
hand. The story from his pen, quot
ing Horace Countryman, then went
out to the Associated Press as fol-
lows:
General Custer found the Indian
camp of about 1000 lodges on the
Little Big Horn and Immediately at
tackled them. Custer took five COM
panies and charged the thickest por-
ti0n Of the camp. The Indians pour
ed a murderous fire from all dircc-
tions, while the greater portion
fought on horseback.
"Custcr, his two brothers, nephew
and brother-in-law were killed. Not
one Of the detachment escaped. Two
hundred and seven men are buried
an one grave and the dead are rough
~ estimated at 800.
"Thc Indians surrounded RcnO'S
command and held them one day in
the hills, cut off from water, until
Gibbons column came in sight, when
they broke camp in thc>night and
fled. The Seventh fought like tigers
and were only overcome by the large
be estimated az they took off and
cached most Of their dead.
1.-THE remainder Of the Seventh cav
airy and Gibbons command arc re-
turning to the mouth Of the Little
Big Horn where steamboat lies.
The Indians got all the arms Of the
dead soldiers. The whole Of Gus
ter's forces died at the head Of their
column.
\ "The Indian camp was from thyee
to four miles long and was twenty
miles up the Little Big Horn from
its source. The Indians actually pull
I'd the men OFT their horses in some
instances. l give this as Taylor told
NE as he was over the field after
the fight"
The battle movement, reported by
General Terry to the adjutant gem
eral on June q, was in part as fol-
lows:
general Custer took personal CON-
mand Of troops C, E, F, and L, Major
Reno was given troops A, G.. and NJ.
Captain Benteen H, d. and X, and
Captain McDougal headed troop B,
which acted as guard to the pack
trains. a.
Began Attack On June q
AT noon on June 90, Custer start
ed with his whole regiment and .
strong detachment Of scouts and
guides from the mouth Of the Dose