Year: 1876

was upon the Indians before they knew
whaC they were about, and killed a
great many. They were evidently
much surprised at this offensive move.
ment, and think in desperate fighting
Benteen is one of the bravest men T
ever saw in a fight. All the time he
was going about through the hullets.
encouraging the soldiers to stand nm to
their work and not let Indians
whip them.


''He went among the horses and
Pack-mules and drove out the men who
were skulking there, compelling them
to go into the line and do their duty.
lie never sheltered his own person
once during the battle, and I Go not
see how he escaped being killed. The
desperate charging and fighting was at
about O'Clock, but firing was kept
up on both sides until late in the af.
ernoOn.


SUFFERING OF THE MEN.
81 forgot to state that about 10
O CLOCK IN the forenoon, and soon after
Benteen made his charge, the men be-
gan to clamor for water. MANY of
them had not tasted water for thirty.
SIX hours, and the fighting and hot
sun parched their throats. Some had
their tongues swollen ana others could
hardly speak. The men tried to eat
crackers and hardtack, but could not
raise enough saliva to moisten them.
Several tried grass, but it stuck to
their lips, and not one could spit or
speak plainly. The wounded were re-
ported dying for want of water, and a
good many soldiers volunteered to 90
to the river to get some or perish in
the attempt. We were fighting on the
bluffs, about 800 yards from the river,
and a ravine led down from the battle.
field close to the river edge.


The men had. to run over an open
space OF about 100 yards to get into
the head of the ravine, and this open
space was commanded by the Indians
on the bluffs. The soldiers, about fifty
strong, dashed over the open plateau
and entered the ravine. They rushed
down it to. the mouth and found it
closely guarded by party of Indians
posted in the timber across the river.
The water could be approached to
within about 30 feet under cover but
then one had to step out ON the river
bank and take the Indians fire. The
boys ran the gauntlet bravely. Some
would dash down to the river with
camp kettles, fill them, and then take
shelter in the bend of the ravine, be-
hind the rocks, and whose canteens
were filled and carried up the hill.
Before all the men and wounded were
supplied one man was killed and six
or seven wounded in this desperate at
tempt. One man had the bone of his
leg shattered by a ball. and it has since
been amputated.


''About 2 o'clock the Indians began
drawing off, but kept skirmishing un-
til late in the afternoon, and near dark
all drew off. We now got water for
the animals, many of them being al
most dead, and they were put out to
Craze on the hillside.


SIN the evening Col. Reno changed
his position and fortified the new one,
it being higher and stronger than the
old one. We expected the Indians
would renew the attack next day, but
in the morning not an Indian was to be
found. Every one felt sure that Crook
or Terry was coming to our relief, and
Col. Reno sent out runners. About 10
O'Clock the glad intelligence was re-
ceived that Gen. Terry, with large
column of troops, was moving up the
valley, 6 miles distant, and the head
of his column soon came in sight,


In reply to questions, Mr.. Herndon
said:


81 went in with the scouts on the
left Of Reno's line. There were about
sixty of us, thirty-fiye being Rec In
dians, six friendly Sioux, six Crows,
and the rest white men. l saw Bloody
Knife, a Rec Scout, throw up his arm
and fall over, and l think he was
killed. The two cavalry soldiers left
on the timber when went out have
no doubt were killed, as they have not
been seen since.