The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-12-06

his people were more hostile then than they
had been when members OF this same band were
the victims OF Colonel ChIvington and his Colo
RADIO troops nj the Sand Creek massacre Hut
sheridan's orders were, In effect, to kill Indians
and Custer didn't stop to find out whether the
village into which he charged that cold Novem.
Der morning was occupied by friendly or hostile
Indians
His tactics at the Washita were the same as
those which brought disaster less than ten years
later-a division of his command and headlunx
attack OH an enemy whose numbers were un-
known But he soon found that he had stirred
up hornets nest, for Black Kettles village was
only one Of several along the Washita Threat
ened by warriors from the others, Custer hastily
withdrew, even though Maj. Joel Elliott and 10
men In his detachment were still unaccounteu
for Lieutenant Godfrey had reported hearing
sounds OF firing which Indicated that Elliott was
IN distress But Custer disregarded this and
marched away leaving Elliott to his fate
Ills hasty withdrawal indicates that he had
lost for the moment, at least, his belief that the
Seventh could whip all the Indians on the plains
But he lost something else ut the Washita--the
undivided faith and admiration OF the regiment
ana the confidence OF some Of his officers From
that time ON the Seventh cavalry was d regl-
meht divided against Itself. Nor during the next
eight years was Custer able to do anything
which restored that shattered faith
During the Yellowstone expedition of 1879 he
had one runn with his superior officer. General
Stanley. and received severe rebuke which
caused him to be good thereafter-at least. so
lar as obeying orders WAS concerned But he
y did rush into one reckless fight with the Sioux
which nearly ended dlsastrousy for him and
which gave him dangerous scorn for the Sioux
la
In 1874 and his exaggerated reports or the rich
ness or the gold there brought him heet,ng
moment OF fame, but this was soon oyershud-
owed by the disgrace which overlook him when
he became embroled In the Belknup scandal.
Belknap President Grants secretary of war
was accused Of graft In connection with sutlpr
contracts ut the army posts and impeached by
congress. Custer talked TOO muchr-claImed /
knowledge which he did not have Summoned TO
Washington to testify. he made sorry witness.
lie was even 80 rash as to involve the PrpsI-
dents brother, Orville Grant In charges which |
ne could not prove and to lnsInnale guilty knpwl-
edge OF frontier graft by the President himself. |
Naturally Grant resented all this So Custer |
WAS not only deprived OF the command OF the |
expedition which was to be Sent against the |
hostile Sioux from Fort Abraham Lincoln in |
North Dakota but was even forbidden. to 20 with
1t lie made frenzed appeals to Sherman. com
manner Tn chief Of the army. to Alfonso Taft.
the new secretary OF war. and to- Grant himself
But none OF them awaited and this time not even
bis friend, Sheridan. could help him Finally he
appealed to General Terry. who was to command
the exprhiuon, and II wns Terry who succeeded
IN getting him restored to the head Of his regi.
ment 1t will be seen later how Custer repaid
that favor.
Chief among the points In the controversy
that has ragged abont Clusters defeat and deafh
on the Little big Horn lis the question OF whether
or nor ne deliberately dIsobeyed Terrys orders
thereby breaking up plan OF campaign against
the lnfinns which might have been successful.
Van lie waters conclusion Is that he did delib~
erateiy dsobey. that he intended from the first
TO swing clear OF Terry" and by winning
smashing victory over the Sioux to regain favor
with his snner0rs- So the Ctr, Hunter vam
lost!
3'hen ne lost he brought denth not only to
himself bnt to more than 300 others And among
them were three of his own blood-Capt Tom
custer. troop commander In the Seventh Rus-
ton Cnster and "Autien Reed the son Of his
haifsister, Lydia. who had been second moth
or % him Another OF the Custer clan whose
IRE was 70 be blighted by what took place on,
June 70. 1876, was his sister, Margaret Emma
custer, the wife OF Lieut. James Calhoun. who
pei'Sheu OH tue NIL above the Little Big Horn.
0m Western Newspaper Union