Year: 1876

Mir. J. B. Omohundro, commonly wide and varied experience in scouting with a reporter he advanced plausible theory of Busters terrible defeat. He particularly resents the idea that any imputation should fall upon the courage of General Custer because of his body being found in the extreme rear of the massacred troops. "Texas Jack " ac- counts for the position of the generals body by supposing him to have been the first to fall, dead or wounded, before the savage onslaught, as he rode at the head of his command near the ford. When he fell, according to this theory, his force was obliged to turn to convey him to the rear. This movement had the semblance of 8 retreat and the sav- age foe pressed them hotly. That Gus in the first of the attack, as to be unable to direct the retreat, is proved by the direction his command followed. He would, beyond question, have retired his men in single body directly over the path in which he had advanced, and for the purpose of uniting his forces with those of Reno.

 The troops, however, really retreated as if panic stricken along the nearest route which presented itself, and in an entirely new direction. They were soon separated by high ridge into two par thus traversed by the divided troops show how hotly they were pursued till reaching the eminence where they re- united. Further retreat was rendered impossible. and gathering round their wounded leader or his dead body Gus ter's relatives and his devoted soldiers fighting fell beside him.

 One of Reno's'scouts who heard the firing says that the entire occurrence could not have extended over more been almost hand to hand with the troops, or the engagement would have lasted much longer, for it would seem to require more than single hour to shoot down at long range three hundred men on horseback and in motion.

 A good estimate of the ferceness o1 the battle and the distance between tine combatants could be formed by count ing the number of horses killed on each side and comparing the numbers with those of their riders slain. The In dians, in all probability, fought or horseback, for it was so they defeated Reno. If the number of their horses killed greatly exceeded their own loss it would go to show that the fight hat been at long range, and that the troop had naturally fired at the biggest ob jects, the horses. If butfew of Custer

 horses were killed, it would show tha the struggle was close one and that th

 men had been knocked on their horses

 When our forces shall be concentrated the scout thinks Sitting Bull vii stand with all his men and fight decisive battle. Should the savage b defeated he will retreat to 8 strong posi-

 tion and await another onset; and , driven from that position his brave

 will scatter in all directions, leaving n

 objective point for the army to attack ) BUFFALO BILLS OPINION.

 In the letter received by MT. Omc hundro from Buffalo Bill the latte says: There is going to be the big gest Indian war ever known, and n

 man can say when it is going to enc The Indians have thus far whippe : every command they have met. The have one village that numbers 1000 fighting men. They boast that in

 mountainous country they can whip a

 the whites that may come against then

 and many white man will die befor

 they are conquered. I expect to hea

 of volunteers being raised"