Year: 1872




A MEMBER of Troop D, 7th United
States cavalry, gives the following anus
ing account of the manner in which Gen.
Custar entertained some Chicago visit
ors who went out to his domains for u
little buffalo shooting last fall. After a
days successful chase the party found
itself about thirty miles from Hayes
tired and hungry. Selecting a camping
ground for the night fires were soon
blazing cheerfully, buffalo and venison
steaks roasting and frying nicely, and oh,
what appetites to do them justice. Next
came wine and cigars, with which the
Chicagoans were well supplied, luxuries
for the trooper on the plains generally
out of reach, but by this time we had
plenty and enjoyed them accordingly
The General, wishing to afford his Wis
itors little amusement during the even
ing, entertained them with stories of sur
prise and atrocities committed by Lo,
until he had them excited to the proper
pitch for pleasant dreams, which he
kindly permitted them to enjoy until
midnight, when he gave the innocent
dreamers finishing rough. The night
proving favorable, the troopers were di-
vided, allowing about forty az An attack
ing party and to represent Indians, the





thing in readiness, the sentry on post
boldly challenged, "Who comes there ?"
A regular war whoop from the attacking
party was the answer received, then a
voleY from the carbines, rattling fire
with revolvers, shouting, yelling and
screaming-the attacking party making
use of all the Indian imaginable, and a
great deal more. The sleepers were by
this time certainly wide awake, and made
to understand what was the matter-that
they were expected to fight if they ex-
pected ever again to see Chicago. The
brave defenders fought nobly, shooting
high in the air, entreating the Chicagoese
to stand firm, fight for their homes and
tiresides, and to fight, bleed and die for
their country-never let the stars and
| stripes be disgraced by allowing a few
hundred bloody Indians to whip us not
more than ten to one at most, probably
less. What's the country good for if not
worth fighting for ? Some of them did
fight, and from them most danger was ap-
pretended, as they fired at instead of over
their antagonists. OF course they were
quickly placed under the wagons to keep
them from shooting somebody. During a
lull, one festive old chap was heard be-
wailing his fate bitterly ooh, why did |
leave my home and family, friends and
business, every comfort in the world, to
come out here and be scalped by the
bloody Indians? o dear o dear what
shall do to be saved?" At this some
one told him to grab a root; but he said
he couldn't find the root. FIFTY dollars
to any one that will take me out of this"
but there was no taker The fight lasted
near one hour. Occasionally some one
would drop or be carried away by few
comrades, when he would of course be all
right again and pitch in. Finally, victory
was declared for the defenders and then
it was the few remaining on the list of
wounded received all the care possible
which meant plenty of wine. Quite a
number wished they had remained
wounded, but it was too late for that.
In the morning the wounded were re-
ported sent to camp, but some of the in
quisitive wished to know what had be-
come of the killed and wounded Indians.
"Oh, they are always carried off the field
as soon as they fall" That settled the
matter. Whether the visitors were in
formed of the true state of affairs before
their return home, have not learned,
One of them said he would have an
account Of the fight published, never
had the pleasure of reading the ac'
count.