Billings Senior High School - Kyote Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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reason for not proceeding further in the direction first mentioned. Upon reaching the trail just ahead of the pack train, Benteen saw Custer’s command, easily disting- uished by the troop of gray horses, traveling to the right at a rapid gait. Reno and Custer separated about a mile from tbe river, Custer going over the high rolling hills and Reno proceeding directly to the river. (See map.) Reno, following the Indian trail, crossed at a ford about two miles southeast of the Indian camp and marched di- rectly down the valley, coming shortly upon a few Indians who offered no opposition, but who kept just far enough ahead to invite pursuit. Reno followed them closely until he received orders to “move forward at as rapid a gait as you think prudent and charge the village afterward, and the whole outfit will support you. ' Reno, as ordered, moved rapidly forward in “column of fours' for about half a mile, then formed the battalion in line of battle across the valley with the scouts on the left. After advancing about a mile fur- ther, he deployed his command as skirmishers. The Indians, continually reinforced, fell back, firing occa- sionally, hut made no decided effort to check Reno's advance. Suddenly the Indians “developed great force, opened a brisk fire, mounted, and dashed to Reno’s left where the Reno scouts were located,”t The scouts fled and Reno im- mediately ordered his men to dismount and fight on foot. The command fell hack on the defensive until in the timber. Up to this time, Reno’s loss was one wounded. T he length of time Reno re- mained in this position is questionable. Some say “a few minutes, others say “about an hour.” While in this strong position, Reno's casualties were few. In time, a small number of Indians fired on the rear of the command and Reno ordered the men to mount and get to the bluffs. Reno led this retreat or “charge as he termed it in his report.% Striking the river at a fordable place, Reno's troops rushed in a straggling manner into a small cut in the hank and dashed madly up a steep bluff, losing a number of men. Lieutenant Don McIntosh was killed soon after leav- ing the timber. I)r. D. Wolf was killed climbing the bluffs a short distance from the command and Lieu- tenant B. H. Hodgson was shot and killed after his horse leaped with him from the bluff into the river. Reno’s casualties thus far were three officers, and twenty-nine enlisted men killed, seven enlisted men wounded, one officer, one interpreter and fourteen soldiers and Ree scouts missing. The Crow scouts stayed with Reno. Although Reno's men formed a defense, they w'ere fighting a losing battle. Benteen •Godfrey. Century, January. 1X92. ♦Godfrey, Century. January, 1x«»2. t Godfrey. Century. January. 1892 Brady. Indian Fight and Fighter . Curley wan on of the six Crow Indian scouts with Punter. Jt ■ claimed by many, that he wax with Punter in the battle of the Little Big Horn. According to his ntory hi escape was made | ossiblc by disguis- ing himxeir as a Sioux and passing through their lines. He was the first to report the outcome of the battle to Terry on the Far West. ' John Martin was a trumpeter of Custer’s command and was the last man to see Custer alive. It was he who carried Punter' last message to Benteen. to come at once and bring packs when he. Punter, had started his detour with the intention of strik- ing the rear of the Indian village.

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and Custer, with the scouts, proceeded ahead, making observations. About this time a group of men, who had been sent back on the trail to recover a box of bread which had been dropped during the night of the twenty-fourth, returned. They reported finding an Indian opening the box. He dashed into the hills upon their appearance. It was also reported by the scouts that several Indians had been seen watching Custer's movements. Realizing that he had been discovered and knowing that success with further delay was impossible, Custer made plans to do the logical thing—to attack at once. Inspections were soon made and the column was again on the march. The dividing ridge between the Rosebud and Little Big Horn valleys was crossed just before noon. Shortly afterwards the regiment was divided into battalions.! Major Reno’s battalion marched down a valley into the south branch of what is now called “Sun Dance” creek, Benteen’s creek, or more commonly, Reno's creek. I he Indian trail followed the windings of this valley. ('apt a in K. W. Benteen, of the Sev- enth Cavalry, whom timely appear- ance and heroic conduct ih «aid to have «aveil Reno » command from a complete annihilation. Custer s column followed closely upon that of Reno, hut slightly to the right and rear. The pack trains followed Reno s trail. Benteen proceeded to the left and front to a line of high bluffs about three or four miles distant. He was ordered to report to Custer and to attack any opposition which he might meet. If, when he arrived at the high bluffs, he could not see the enemy, he was to continue his march to the next line of bluffs and so on until he reached the Little Big Horn valley.% Benteen. to save the strength of the battalion, sent Lieutenant Gibson ahead to recon- noitre. The rough country gradually threw the battalion to the right and again the trail was sighted about a mile away. The tired men dis- covered a spring or creek near by and although they had been without water thus far on the day’s march, the horses refused to drink, the water heing alkaline. Realizing the condition of his command, Benteen wise- ly determined to follow the trail of the other com- mands. Anyone familiar with the hilly, rough country over which he was climbing, will realize Benteen’s Captain M«-l».nigall, charge of troop corted th« pack Captain Mat hey. who was In Thin troop ch- train In charge of • If they (the Indiana) escaped without punishment or l at tie, Custer would undoubtedly have been blamed. — Godfrey. tTh advance battalion under Major Reno con (dated of troop M. Captain French: troop A. Captain Maylan r.nd Lieutenant DeRudio: troop O.” Lieutenant» McIntosh and Wallace: the Indian scouts under Lieutenant Varnuni and Hare and the interpreter Guard; Lieutenant HiHlp on was acting Adlutant ai d Doctors DeWolf and Porter were the medical officer». The battalion under General Custer was composed of troop I, Captain Keogh and Lieutenant Por- ter: troop F. Captain Yates and Lieutenant Kelly; troop » ,' Captain Custer and Lieutenant Harrington; troop K. Lieutenants Smith and Sturgis; troop L,’ Lieutenants Cal- houn and Crittenden. Lieutenant Cook was the Adjutant and Dr. G K. Lord was the medical officer. The battalion under Captain Benteen consisted of troop H.‘ Captain Benteen and Lieutenant Gibson; troop D, Captain Weir and Lieutenant Kdgerly, and troop K. Lieutenant God- frey. The pack train. Lieutenant Mathey In charge, was under the escort of troop “B. Captain McDougall. (Brady. “Indian Fights and Fighters.”

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appeared with his troops, deploying them as skirmish- ers and withstanding the enemy's vicious attack. The Indians gradually slackened their attack and suddenly most of them disappeared up the valley, thus giving Reno and Benteen time to establish their positions. Having established their positions, they proceeded to make observations, and to decide what to do regard- ing the carrying out of Custer’s order to come to him. Accordingly at about five o’clock the command moved towards Custer’s position intending to join him. Hearing occasional shots from that direction, Benteen and Reno arrived at the conclusion that Custer had been repulsed and that the firing was by the rear guard. I he firing suddenly ceased and Indians in bunches were seen racing toward Reno's position. The com- mand was now ordered to fight on foot. Lieutenant Weir’s and Captain French’s troops were posted on the high hills and to the front of them with Lieutenant Godfrey’s troops along the crest of the bluffs next to the river. The rest of the command moved to the rear to establish a defensive position. The Indian attack on Weir’s and French’s positions compelled them to retire. They were seen retreating towards the main command at a rapid gait, followed closely by the Indians. Lieu- tenant Godfrev deployed his men of Troop K as skirm- ishers, sent his horses to the main command and re- treated slowly. Orders came to Godfrey to hurry his troop to the com- mand and as or- dered, his men made a run for it. The Indians now took possession of all the high points in the immediate area and opened a heavy fire which continued until dark (between nine and ten o’clock).f The night was spent in terrible agony by the soldiers who were obliged to listen to the war whoops, and shouts of their foes, as they wildly celebrated their victory in the village. At da break the fighting again broke out with a fury equal to that of the previous day. The Indians attempted to draw the fire of the soldiers, thus caus- ing them to waste their ammunition, but the order to hold the fire foiled this attempt. Benteen's command suffered more casualties than the cithers as it was in a position more exposed to the river. After much urging, Reno finally ordered French to take troop “M” over to support Benteen. The boldness of the enemy soon caused Benteen to make a charge and the Indians were dirven nearly to the river. 'Phis subdued the warriors for a short time, hut •Brads . “Indian Fights and Flghterp.1' tBrady, Indian Fights and Fighter».” Main-in-t he-Face, a renowned war- rior, a man of Importance, being brother of Iron Horse, one of the prin- cipal 1’iH-apapas chiefs. He had been previously overpowered by Captain Toni Custer. He made his escape and «wore vengeance on Custer. It Is rea- sonably certain, (according to Ids own story) that he killed Tom Custer in the Hattie of the Hit tie Big Horn. Sitting Bull, a Cticapapa Sioux In- dian. was the chief of the hostile camp, with about sixty lodges of fol- lowers. which whs known as '‘Sitting Bull Camp or Outfit. He was known as the great “medicine man. ’ He was a chief, but not a warrior chief. In the war councils, he had a voice and vote the same as any other chief. A short time before the battle he had “maCe medicine” and had predicted that the sold Jet-5 would attack them and that the soldi rs would all be killed. He took no active part in toe battle, but as was hi-» custom in time of danger, remained in the village making medicine.” Personally he was regarded by the Agency Indians as a great coward and a very great P.ar. a man with a big head ami a little heart.”