Year: 1876

AN OCT1OCh OlAh1.
0IBBoS's MARCH ALONG THE BIG HORN
RIvEB-cusrER's RATTLE FIELD AND RESo's
BzscuE-noRRIBLE SCENES AND CHASTITY
RELICS OF THE SLAIN.


CusrER's BATTLE FIELD,


LITTLE BIG HORN RIVER, June 20 1876
send you an extract from my daily journal, which
will prove interesting, because 1t embraces descrip
ton of the Of the disaster to Custers command
and the desperate defence OF Reno against tho
ing savages who surrounded him at the time Of our
arrival on tho ground:-
SATURDAY, Juno "a, 1s76-Pulied out OF camp obs
mile below Fort and marched four miles up tho
river, where We found the steamer Far West lying
abreast OF the Second cavalry camp and just below the
me of the Big Horn The Second cavalry had gone
into camp at this point last night and were
waiting TO be set the river for advance up the
Big Horn River to the Little Big Horn, whore to
orm junction with Custer for an attack on Sitting
BuN who Is reported to have at least 800 lodges and
about ], 900 warriors


FERRIEp ACROSS THE YELLOWSTONE
Very soon after arrival tho Far West moved us
across the rivcr each company of infantry with four
pack mules and the cavalry companies six mules each:
no wagons. Marched four miles up the Big Horn and
camped on Fulloeh's Fork, under perpendicular wall
Of rock Indian scouts in aud reported buiaocs
running with arrows sticking into them and an abun
iancc OF fresh pony tracks.


SUNDAY, June 25-Pulled out OF camp at twenty min
dtes past nvc O'Clock A. NJ and marched up Fulloch's
Fork two miles thence across tho mountains to tho
Big Horn-a terribly still, hot and sultry day. The
men suffered terribly from thirst; not drop OF water
was to be had for eighteen miles; many Of tho mon
tainted.


SUFFERING PROM THIRST.


gave all the water had in my canteen to the men
Of my company, thinking that would reach water
sooner Tho last had in my canteen was just about
10 drink, when of the came up and asked II
rould give him drink, and they had all had very
hard march gave 1t to him, and before we came to
water my throat was cracking


When we reached water made a halt OF about
hour and then moved up tho river two miles. The
cavalry had already gone ahead, and We found them
Just pulling out again, information having been re-
ceved that large village had been discovered fifteen
miles up river The infantry, being exhausted, had
orders go into camp and follow at four O'Clock the
next morning 1t raining quito hard and the camp
was not pleasant one.


LODGING.


MONDAY, Juue 26-Pulled out at twenty minutes
past four A. NJ, the pack ropes being SO wet as to
cause considerable delay, and they delayed US stu
further the road the ropes dried they would
slip and down would 60 the pack under the mules
belly. Overlook the cavalry twelve miles from the
last camp they had wandered about the night BEFORE
losing themselves, and were finally compelled to 60
into camp


RUMoRs OF DISASTER


The Grow scouts had come in thoroughly demoral-
lied and we found the cavalry very much excited
she intelligence the brought They reported
that Custer had attacked the village and had been
lnnihated part Of his regiment had attacked the
upper Custer himself tho lower part of the village
They (the scouts) declare that they many
people together before.


CUsrIR's DESPERATE STRAIT


They left Custer completely surrounded by Sioux,
ck they could stand while the party at the upper
part OF the village had been driven into point OF tim
Der, completely surrounded, and the timber set fire.
That the smoke We could see some twenty miles away
was that of the burning timber.


They reported three OF their number killed and three
missing and were thoroughly panic stricken that
they have deserted in body, taking the interpreter
fBravo) with them.


RESCUE


The Little Big Horn was in PLAIN sight, and though
many OF tho still suffering from the effects of
yesterday march. when they heard that thero was
every probability that would be into fight before
night they marched of at such swinging gait TO
keep the horses In fast walk


Upon reaching the Little Big Horn the infantry were
obliged TO strip and wade order We made





agreed meet Terry and Glbbon and they did not
believe tho story of the scouts they loss to
account for the appearance of either himself
messenger. None of us believe that hc has been
whipped by the Indians.


PUSHING AHEAD.


Resumed the march at four L. NJ. and made ten miles
by sundown; went into camp on the open prairie. and
lust as We had unsadded established camp large
party Of Indians made their appearance tho bluffs
on our right company of tho Second cavalry was
sent up, and the Indians moved slowly or


DANGEROUS


have just learned that Taylor and Bostwck (whte
scouts had each been offered 5000 TO carry message
10 Custer They started about four hours ago. and havo
Just returned with the Information that very large
bocy Of Indians moving tho Little Big Horn
valley from the direction OF Fulloch's Fork toward
tho Big Horn, and the supposition is that these
fellows were lying in wait for in the pass between
Fulochs Fork and the Little Big Horn. and they
could catch that trap have concluded to scat
Taylor says no saw what he took to be body of
cavalry, and when they discovered him fifteen mon
selected and sent out to him. Upon nearing
him one OF them concealed himself ravInc anc fired
at him; no thinks the bullet went under his He
returned the re and thcn jumped his horse and
capped


ANXIETY ABOUT CUSTER


We lilo down full OF anxiety for Custer; many think
hc hos been defeated but will not acknowledge
10 themselves. hopo that tomorrow will answer all
our queries forget to mention that since We have
crossed tho river Lieutenant Brady, Seventh Infantry
who has charge OF the mounted detachment OF infantry
has sent in nvc Indian ponies, which surely indicates
that there is something wrong.