Year: 1876

GENERAL CUSTER srAKTED


on the 22d OF June. at twelve O'Clock, marched
about fifteen miles, and encamped the Rosebud
on the 2sd the TRAN discovered by Colonel Reno
found and followed. II turned OF from the Rosebud
and led over the divide TO the Little Horn The
scouts reported village on the Little Horn. and
Custer pushed out, marching all night On sunday
morning, June 2s the scouts reported the village
only few miles ahead, on the north hank OF the
Little Horn, and immense numbers Of Indians
swarming out OF 1t. One OF the scouts, q half
breed Sioux, Michael Boyer told Custer the village
was the largest he had seen in the West.
Clouds OF dust were rising over the Indian
town. and masses OF horsemen were seen by a
dense growth OF timber and bushes The bank OF
the river opposite the village was abrupt
and overhangng the stream, with high. con-
ical hills in the background. In many places the
bluff was twelve feet high and almost perpendicu-
lar On the side, where the village stood, the land
was level and stretched down like beautiful lawn
to the timber which ran to the waters edge.


cusrER's BATTLE.


AS the troops raised the crest OF the hills on the
opposite bank singular sight lay before them Be-
low the village, its white tepecs stretching for
miles along the stream. Riding rapidly over the
plain scout came back and said the
INDIANS WE'RE RUNNING,


and Custer Immediately told Colonel Reno to go
ahead and pitch in and he would support him.
Reno was given seven companies, the bulk OF
vyhi tor rase on
for his person. Colonel Reno went ahead with three
companies, Captain French, Captain waylan and
Lieutenant Mcintosh The regiment had been
travelling along the right bank of the stream, and
down its waters the village on the left bank OF
the river, and the river bank was covered out and
away for miles with lodges, and the plain hundreds
OF horsemen were galloping about, apparently in
the widest confusion. Clouds Of dust rose over
the different bodies of Indians rendering it impos
sble to number them. Only now and then when
few ponies shot out of the cloud could the Indians
be seen, and apparently then


GOING TO THE REAR.


The report soon spread that the Indians were
retreating and General Custer after ring Reno
over the river above the village, ordered Captain
Keogh, Captain Yates, Captain Thomas Custer "a
brother of the GeneraD, Lieutenant Smith and Lieu
tenant Calhoun, with their companies, to keep on
down the right bank OF the river until they came to
point opposite the village and below it, and then
and charge the village on the flank. 1t was
evidently Custers intention to attack the village at
both ends and have the forces work toward each
thar Or,le
placed four companies to be held in reserve and to
guard the pack trains, and, turning over the COM
mand of the Captain Benton to be sent to
Reno in case he needed them Custer with the five
companies galloped down the ridge to cut or the In
dans As he dashed forward he raised his hat, and
the soldiers checred Justify This was


THE LAST SEEN OF CUSTER


or his men until they were found dead and horribly
mutilated.


RRNo's MOVEMENTS.


We must now recount the movements Of Reno
In obedience to Clusters orders he had crossed the
river above the village, and was advancing upon 1t.
Little resistance was made to his crossing and but
few Indians showed in his front as he deployed ON
the plain between the river and the blufr-the val
ley stretched down to the village which was about
four miles distant, and Reno advanced in column Of
companies. The valley was little over mile
wide, and the companies met with no serious re-
sstance in their front for considerable distance
The first intmation of great danger was the appear
ance of masses of Indians the buffs on the flank
OF the left company. heavy fire was opened from
the blum, and at the same time the In
dlans charged in front. Onlcers and men
behaved with great gallantry, driving back
the charging foe But the fire from the bluffs was
so heavy that Reno's men were forced over toward
the river. Reno ordered the companies into the
the TIMBER and dismounted the battalion. They
were formed on the edge of the woods, under lit
tie depression, to fight on foot The Indians charged
across the plain and made every effort to disodge
the white men from the timber, but were repused
time after time. They charged both on ponies and
on foot but were driven back each
time with heavy loss. Reno soon
discovered that the Indians were working
around to his rear and entered the timber above
him. and between him and the reserve. The order
was given to mount and charge through the timber
toward the reserve. The Indians had already be-
come strong that it was found mpracticable to
disodge them, while mounted, from behind the
bushes and trees and the command again dis
mounted and charged foot The Indians were
every moment getting thicker between the com
panies on the river bottom and the reserve on the
hill


RENO RETREATS.


Colonel Reno ordered his men to mount and cut
their way through. A wild scramble for life now
began. IL was every one for himself. Indians
on every side up and fired at