Trumpet on the Land: The Aftermath of Custer's Massacre, 1876 by Terry C. Johnston

Author:Terry C. Johnston
Language: eng
Format: epub

*Present-day Mizpah Creek.

Chapter 29

16-18 August 1876

Graphic Account of Custer’s Fight From the Hostile Band.

CHICAGO, August 1—Capt. Holland, of the Sixth Infantry, commanding the station at Standing Rock Agency, writes to General Ruggles that seven Sioux Indians who were in the battle of June 25th have arrived at Standing Rock and give the following account of the battle: The hostiles were celebrating the sun dance when runners brought news of the approach of the cavalry. The dance was suspended, and a general rush followed for the horses, equipments and arms. Major Reno first attacked the village at the south end, across the Little Big Horn.

Their narrative of Reno’s operations coincides with the published account, how he was quickly confronted and surrounded, how he dismounted, ran in the timber, remounted and cut his way back over the ford and up the bluffs with considerable loss, and the continuation of the fight for a little time when runners arrived from the north end of the village or camp with the news that the cavalry had attacked the north end, some three or four miles distant. A force large enough to prevent Reno from assuming the offensive was left, and the surplus available force followed to the other end of the camp, where, finding the Indians successfully driving Custer before them, instead of uniting with them, they separated into two parties and moved around the flanks of his cavalry. They report that a small body of cavalry broke through the line of Indians in their rear and escaped, but were overtaken within a distance of five or six miles and all killed.

After the battle the squaws entered the field to plunder and mutilate the dead bodies. General rejoicing was indulged in, and a distribution of arms and ammunition was hurriedly made….

Sitting Bull was neither killed nor personally engaged in the fight. He remained in the council tent, directing operations. Crazy Horse, Large Band, and Black Moon were the principal leaders … The fight continued till the third day, when runners, kept purposely on the lookout, hurried into camp and reported a great body of troops, General Terry’s command, advancing up the river. The lodges having been previously prepared for a move, a retreat in a southerly direction followed, towards and along the Rosebud mountains. They marched about fifty miles, went into camp, and held a consultation, when it was determined to send into all the agencies reports of their success, and call on them to come out and share the glories that they were expected to reap in the future.

… They report for the especial benefit of their relatives here that in the three fights they had with the whites, they have captured over one hundred stand of arms, carbines and rifles (revolvers not counted), ammunition without end, and some sugar, coffee, bacon and hard bread. They claim to have captured from the whites this summer over 900 horses and mules. I suppose this includes their operations against the soldiers, Crow Indians, and Black Hills miners.

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