Year: 1876

OF the arms feel competent Judge OF the charac
ter OF the action which resulted in this dreadful disas
ter rs many who have published plans and opinions,
and yet dare say only this TO the press aud the public
by the way o suggestion, viz please Withhold censure
OF any officer engaged until all the facts shall be known
that can DO agcertained In the light OF the meagre
facts already published 1t has been charged that Reno
disobeyed orders Now, II IS impossible to conceive
the object OF his preliminary reconnaissance IL II was
not 10 gain intelligence OF tue enemy. he obtainrd
the intelligence required by striking his trail promptly
by the shortest route and by pursuing until satisfied
by its indications that IL the trail desired and
then he returned and reported the result Here was
display OF energy and sagaciiy worthy OF commenda-
ton. From that moment, as lar as we know. his
sponsibiiy terminated as he became subordinate TO
others


setting trap Tor Sitting Bull by using any number OF
convereing columns is at least extremely questionable
should be independently able to cope with
SO formidable adversary, else they would
the risk OF disaster in detail That Sitting Bull
a successful trap for Custer Is certain. The fault
which led him to destruction occurred before the at
tack 1t may be set down. without fear OF contradc-
tion, that whoever charges camp OF ZOO Sioux war
riors under Sitting Bull or any other chief with less
than halt that number Of soldiers will never come out
Keno and his command would have eventually been
wiped but for the timely approach OF Gibbons
column. II was merely u question OF time with
either Custer or Reno tire latter would have employed
the Indians little longer account of his holding
more favorable ground which he was quick enough 10
seize aud of having greater number Of men To kill
AS for asss Ing or supporting each other after becom
ing engaged with Two miles OF Indians between thom
it was entirely out of the question. Custcrs scouts





their advice was disregardcd As they seem
to have generally shared the death which
ensu.d. the idoa OF treachery Is precluded.
In any Reno cannot be held responsible. I have
known both Custer and Reno from youth, and have
had plenty OF opportunities to appreciate their superb
quantities as cavalry leaders, both having served in my
command IN Virginia Reno commanded the reserve
ut kelieys ords IN 1863 and nobly assisted Mcintosh
in rcpelng the last grand effort OF the enemy's
airy, and left US masters OF the field


The French say, Les dJsents ont fSjorrs tort" Let
us hope that Americans not be mistaken in their
generous aptitude In believing that the dead always
right And just now Mr. Editor. il seems ~ that
the press has fine opportunity TO engage In battle for
right ana justice Advocate the passage OF act by
Congress which shall secure to the widow OF every
officer OF the army and navy who fails in battle at
least one-haii her husbands pay during her widow
hood. Imagine the satisfaction oil mind and freedom OF
acton which married officer could carry into battle
with the assurance that the Republic would
make adequate provision for his widow and
children; and, again, think OF the crucial
test it must be to the courage which
carries man TO certain death, knowing that his
widow will be destitute and forgotten. Let com
memorate the splendor OF Custcr's and death
but let not forget his widow and the widows OF
noble officers who formed with him and his an
unbroken skirmsh line Of dead heroes Respectfully


W. W. AVERILL,


Brevet Major General United States Army.