Year: 1876




following interesting points in relation to the Gus
ter massacre. You win note new theory of
Custers attack and defeat which is at least plau-
sible; but to the letter.


THE sERGEANr's LETTER.


The impression prevails here, as well as above,
that Custer was given away treacherously by a half
breed guide he had with him, by the name OF Billy
Cross, and every circumstance, so far as ascer-
tanned, tends to confirm the impression that tins
guide had an understanding with the Indians be-
forehand, and treacherously led Custer's command
into


SNARE,


where they were all massacred, with the exception
Of one Crow scout and two guides, named respect
lively Girard and Jackson Cross with the Indian
scouts that came from Lincoln with Custer, de-
serted the command shortly after the fight began,
and nothing was heard Of them until they came
into this camp, about 160 mles-four days. travel
from the scene Of conflict Had they joined Gibbon
Reno, the latter OF whom was in close proximity
and the former no more than twenty-five or thirty
miles away, and informed the one or the other OF
CusteT SiIuatou Tie lives Vi dL leaSC some Oh the
brave men who perished might have been saved.


ARRIvAE OF THE GUIDES.


They came in two distinct parties. Cross and one
party about two O'Clock in the afternoon of the 2sth
Of June, and another party Of about nine or ten
more, leading surplus ponies, in about five hours
after. When their different stories were compared
they were found to want harmony in several very
essential particulars. Most Of the Indians cartridge
frls were full and none Of them had expended more
than two three rounds. This, in connection with
their


CONTRADICTORY STORIES,
created in the minds of many, myself among the
number, doubts to their courage and honesty
toward Custer on this occasion, and l for one
find it difficult to eradicate this impression from my
mind Most all Of them are mere boys, and one Of
them gave evidence the other day that he was de-
fcent in courage, and he is doubtless fair criterion
by which to judge the whole. Parties who have
arrived from Terry since with dispatches inform
that the men who were fortunate enough to escape
this dreadful carnage, the Crow scout especially,
charge these Indians with cowardice, and say they
ran away at the beginning Of the fight.


CROSS REPORT TO CUSTER.


They also say that the night before the fight this
Cross was sent out to scout and reconnotre and
gone ten or eleven hours that he returned In the
morning and informed General Custer that the vii
lage was a small one and he would encounter but
very little difculty In obtaining an easy victory.
Custer, who is said by his men to be very mpulsve,
without first satisfying himself as to the truth or
falsty Of the report mounted his command and gave
the command forward. The command came In sight
OF the village within hour and half and he then
gave the order to charge 1t, which was CALAMITY
DONE but no resistance was met with until they ar
rived the other side Of the village location, when
they received terrific volley, which put an end to
many noble fellows existence and the troops then
found themselves in the centre Of large camp Of
many villages and completely surrounded by the red
devils.


INDIAN PREPARATION FOR DEFENCE.


At this spot the grass and brush were found tied
and knotted as to impede the progress Of the
horses, and the Indians and some Of the villages
we're screened from view by sort OF wicker breast
work Of willow brush, behind which these red
seuthhounds Of hell could quietly pick or any Of
the soldiers without endangcrng their own precious
hides. All retreat being cut or there was nothing
for 1t but to forward. Custer then designated o
knoll for his command to rally at, which they did
breaking through the bronze wall Of savages like
streak OF barbed lightning and gained the knoll,
where they made the last stand, all hands fighting
desperately, men only can fight whose lives are
at stake and where the fight became hand to hand
conflict.


ATROCITIES OF THE sQUAws.


The squaws made themselves conspicuous, knock
ing in the skulls with heavy club with a stone at
the end oft, and mutilating In divers other ways,
too sickcning too mention, every soldier that fell


EVIDENCES OF TREACHERY


The breastwork referred to, and the knotted grass
especially presented every indication Of having been
freshly done, and that the Indians we're fully in
formed and aware Of Custer's intentions toward
them, and had accordingly made every necessary
preparation for giving him warm reception.
Everybody was scalped and otherwise mutilated,
excepting General Custer and Corporal Ticmann,
whose scalp was partly on and who had the sleeve
OF his blouse with the chevron upaid over II In pc
culiar manner. This enabled good many
men OF the Seventh cavalry, who are
here dismountcd, to detect one OF the par
ticipants In the fight on the Indians side
in the person Of one Rain-in- thc-Facc who was in
the guardhouse last winter and chained to cor
pora, also prisoner at the time. Not even but
ton was removed from Custers uniform, while his
brother and the rest Of the officers were terribly
mutilated.


RENo's COMMAND
was several miles away from the scene of Custer's
fight but was not aware OF his having been engaged
until after the battle was all and General Glib
bon had arrived with his command to rc-enforce
him. To the timely arrival OF Gbbon with his
"Dough Boysn is due the salvation OF Reno and his
command, for they were also surrounded and fight
ing desperately and with very slight hope OF ever
coming out alive.


THE BRAVERY or BENTEEy.


To the coolness and bravery and foresight OF
Colonel Bentcen, Of the Seventh cavalry, at the be-
ginning Of Reno's engagement is due the salvation
OF Reno and the greater part OF his command lie
now occupies the very envable position OF idol in
the esteem Of those who were engaged with him
and came out with their lives


AN INDIAN TRUNPETER.


One OF the wounded OF Reno's command who is In
the hospital here, says that at time during the
fight they heard the advance sounded on the trum-
pet from Indlans they ali rose up, thinking 1t was
Custer to reinforce them, and cheered Justify;
when the indians let forth derisve yell at them,
fired terrible vollcy and made charge which they
~aruand fhov dld raI ofbcra that v,c,~