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

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FIRST ACCOUNT OF THE CUSTER MASSACRE TRIBUNE EXTRA

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To The Kyotf Class of Billings High School: I cannot attempt telling you how I appreciate ac- counts of the Battle of the Little Big Horn and much pertaining to it. When I think of the young people of today studying and writing so clearly and so earnestly of the battle and its heroes—I have no words expressive enough. It pleases me also to have your book named for the howling midnight visitor of the outskirts of our camps.

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The Battle of the Little Big Horn J71FTY years ago within the borders of our beloved state, almost at our very door, «Occurred a mighty struggle—one of the greatest battles ever fought with- in the boundaries of our country, the outcome of which was to bring to a close, the struggle between the whites and the red men for the supremacy of the Northwest- June 25, 1926, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, in which General George A. Custer and 265 of his command, lost their lives while opposing some six-thousand Sioux. Cheyenne, and Blackfoot Indians. These Indians, under the direction of Sitting Bull, a Sioux medicine man, left their reservations and were joined b bands of warriors from the various tribes, the latter being under the leadership of such chiefs as (rail, Crow King, and Crazy Horse. Following the Civil War, the government endeavored by peaceful means to induce the Indians to remain on their reservations. These entreaties met with little success and the government was forced to use the United States army in an attempt to crush this hostility. Three fighting units were dispatched from military posts located along the edge of the hos- tile territory. One command under General Crook was to come from Fort Fetterman, east of what is now Casper. Wvoming, another command under General Gibbons from Fort Kllis (where Bozeman, Montana, is now located) and another from Fort Lincoln. Dakota, under General Alfred Terry. Tin plan was that three units were to close in on the In- dian at or near the Little Big Horn River, where it was thought the hostiles had collected. Under Jerry’s command was a brilliant young officer with a very unusual war record. He had the distinction of being the youngest general in the Civil War. General George A. Custer had taken an active part in a number of the important campaigns in the national strug- gle and had gained a reputation as a brave and courageous leader. At the close of the Civil War, he had led an expedition into the territory of Dakota and Montana and had gained much experience as an Indian fighter, engaging the hostiles many times. Custer’s previous experience with Indians, made his services valuable to the expedition un- der Terr)'. According to Brady, the best part of the expedition was Custer's command. General George A. Ousti-r—Born December 5. 183H. New Rumley. Ohio. Graduated I . S. Military iAcademy, June. 1M 1. Brigadier General. Volunteer ». June 2f . I M3. appointed at 23 yearn of age—the youngest general In the Civil War. and commanded thousands of men. Brevet Major-General, volun- teers. October, 1M 4. Commanded Michigan Brigade of Cavalry at Battle of Gettysburg, and Third divis- loii of Sheridan’» Cavalry Corps. .Major-General, Volunteers. April. is6r . Commanded I lvision of C»v- a ry. Mexican Border. 1865-fi. Brevetted through «II grades from Major to Major-General, Regular Army, for distinguished services at Gettysburg. Yellow Tav- ern, Winchester, Fisher's Kill, Five Forks and Appomatox. Lieutenant-Colonel. Seventh U. S. Cav- alry. July. 1866. which he commanded In Indian campaigns—1867-1876. Eminently successful in the Battle of Washita (when he was sufficiently armed and provided with adequate supplies.) Commander, also, in Expedition In Staked Plains. 1 6»; Yellow- stone Expedition. 1 73; Black Hills Exploration. 1 74.